Guy Clark Album: “Dublin Blues”

Description :

Personnel: Guy Clark (vocals, acoustic guitar); Ramblin' Jack Elliott (vocals); Darrell Scott (acoustic, electric & slide guitars, mandolin, dobro, penny whistle); Verlon Thompson (acoustic & slide guitars, harmonica, background vocals); Rodney Crowell (acoustic guitar, background vocals); Sam Bush (mandolin); Jerry Douglas (dobro); Jonathan Yudkin (violin); Jelly Roll Johnson (harmonica); Travis Clark (acoustic bass, background vocals); Kenny Malone (drums, conga, tambourine, shaker, triangle, bells, percussion); Nanci Griffith, Donivan Cowart, Emmylou Harris, Suzi Ragsdale, Kathy Mattea (background vocals). <p>Recorded at EMI Studios, Nashville, Tennessee. <p>Texas-to-Nashville country-folk troubadour Clark was always more "respected" than popular, so it's not surprising that this rare major label outing failed to earn him an audience beyond his loyal cult. Regardless, DUBLIN BLUES is full of songs as good as any Clark ever wrote. Restrained but effective production puts Clark's rough, whiskey-and-cigarettes voice and quietly poetic lyrics front and center, which is the key to success for a songwriter this powerful. The title cut is an instant classic (later covered by Clark's buddy/peer Townes Van Zandt), a bit of visionary folkie melancholy. The closer "The Randall Knife" bookends the album perfectly, with a spoken lyric that speaks volumes about the complex dynamics between father and son in Clark's characteristically heartfelt but unsentimental style.

I cannot listen to Guy Clark without hearing something new at every playing. This guy always seems to be talking directly to me. As far as the Amazon reviewer mentioning a limited range and tone and clip-clop tempos... he has totally missed the whole point of Guy Clark. I can't imagine anyone else doing his songs as well as he does or anyone "improving" his songs by changing anything about them. They are LIFE. They are TRUTH. They are PROFOUND. The feelings of every son to every father are in "The Randall Knife". I hope I'm living my life with "The Cape" tied around my neck; if you're not, why are you here? Haven't you met people you wished would "Shut Up and Talk To Me"? I could go on, but I hope my point is clear: This guy Clark "KNOWS" and can craft and create in words and music the things we should all be aware of in our own lives. He's not just writing about life in the abstract, at a distance. He's been there and has much to tell us, if we will take the time to listen.

All I will say is this: any man who has lost his father and can listen to "Randall Knife" without tears isn't ready to deal with his loss yet. Exquisite, sensitive, tough, and true. My favorite album. Ever. By anybody. I'd buy Guy Clark a beer with pride.

Life turns in strange and mysterious ways. A few weeks ago a friend invited me to his wedding reception. He and his bride were especially excited to share their joy with friends and family.They brought together over 200 people to share the moment. Guy Clark performed. I was hooked. I immediately bought Dublin Blues. Mr. Clark has the unique ability to connect with meaningful lyrics that tie the human experience to poetic song and verse. His "The Cape" masterfully and whimiscally portrays one of lifes known facts.Trust in yourself and your hopes. His "Randall Knife" touches anyone's soul who has sought to understand the connections between parent and child in a very touching way using the symbolism of a treasured object the "Randall Knife". I was priviledged to meet Guy Clark who was gracious enough to perform at a private party. I am now hooked on this masterful songwriter and gracious gentleman.