Search - William Clarke :: Groove Time

Three Words: Hellacious Harp Honker!

Steven Hildebrand | SW Suburban Chicago, IL (USA) | 12/06/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've always thought that Charlie Musselwhite was the living embodiment of cool -- and I still do -- but William Clarke gave all new meaning to the word "cool." William Clarke had perfect tone on the harp, whether it's a foghorn wail or a rolling machinegun warble, he hit every note firmly, perfectly...others may blow faster, but few can achieve his deep soulfulness. He also possessed a great singing voice. I was fortunate to see William Clarke live in early 1995 @ Buddy Guy's Legends, supporting his CD "Groove Time." (He died shortly thereafter) Mixing California swing with gutbucket west-side blues, Clarke and band powered up a way-fat sound with hollow body guitars, standup acoustic bass, furious drumming and some of the best damn harp blowing I've ever heard. Down on his knees or standing up under the lights, honking and wailing to his own cool beat, Clarke looked like a big, sweaty bear with a suit and shades, and sounded like the best thing to happen to harp blues since Charlie Musselwhite and Junior Wells. "The more noise you make, the better we play!," Clarke told the crowd, which wasn't really necessary since the house was already making almost as much noise as the band was. Several times Clarke walked offstage to hang out at the bar with fans while the band worked off some steam by themselves. What a show! For those who never got to see him live, check out "Groove Time," Clarke's 3rd release on Alligator Records. Three Words: Hellacious Harp Honker. That perfectly describes William Clarke on this aptly named CD...if this doesn't make you wanna move & groove or boogie and bark like a big ol' dawg, check your joints for unexplained stiffness -- you may already be dead. Backed by a variety of musicians, Clarke growls and honks his way through the 15 cuts (11 of them original, ALL of them good) that comprise this CD. Slashing guitars, metronymic drums, tasty keyboards and a totally-fat horn section give Clarke a billboard-sized backdrop to work with. Too Cool. Check out the jazzy instrumental swing blues of "A Good Girl is Hard to Find," the restrained and mournful "Somebody Callin' Me Home," and the high-stepping "Blowin' the Family Jewels," which features a call & response harp/axe duel. The jewel of this recording is a low-down treatment of Arthur "Bigboy" Crudup's "Chicago Blues." God Rest Ye', Mistah Clarke, you left us all too soon, with too few recordings of your incredible talent to remember you by."

Super blue groove

Bergman Jonas | Sweden | 04/10/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I never had the opportunity to see William Clarke live but this, his 3rd CD, may come as close to a live feeling to any studio recording. It is simply amazing from the first harmonica riff and in-your-face backing band that this is the business. This is as good as it gets, and Clarke and band simply establishes blues, swing and shuffles at its best. At the time of this recording William Clarke was an established monumental figure on the blues scene, and he delivers an amazing recording with a voice and harmonica that is hard to surpass. All of Clarke's recordings are fantastic and this is no exception. Alex Schultz and Kid Ramos provides excellent backup, weaving guitar lines around the singing and the oozing harmonica. This is a must in any harmonica collection and proves, once again, that blues lost a fabulous frontman at the time of the release of The Hard Way. Should not be missed."

OUTSTANDING BOOGIES...

chris | carson city, nevada | 05/25/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is a shame this man is gone. He can write and play blues, boogie or jazz....or mix them all together for that sound that only Wilima Clarke can create. This is one of those CD's that never gets old. We miss ya big guy!"