Search - William Clarke :: Blowin Like Hell

William Clarke- Rest In Peace.

Campbell Roark | from under the floorboards and through the woods.. | 02/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
William Clarke (along with paul Butterfield, Big Walter horton and a handful of others) was one of the few guys who brought their own idiosyncratic style to the blues harp. Most players tend to blast what they've heard on the old Chicago blues records that they love- nuthin wrong with that, per se... But Clarke definitely had his own style. Also, Clarke wrote pretty much most of his own tunes and they're sweet- the man knew his own thang.



On this one- he truly cooks. This is an overlooked and underrated blues classic that blues harp aficianados (msp?) of all caliber should pick up. The rhythm section burns and cooks and the harp is CHOICE. This is one of the two first albums (along with 'Serious Intentions') that Clarke cut for Alligator. I think all of his gator releases are worth a listen, but this is my hands down favorite. Great notes, never sloopy. Clarke was heavily influenced by George "harmonica" Smith, who was a vet of the Muddy waters band. He was also influenced by organ playing, of all things- guys like Jimmy McGriff and Richard "Groove" Holmes (the Beastie Boys penned an instrumental track with his name on it). He was from ali, not Chi-town and that Cali-soul thing is one of the forms that animates his playing. You may think, "huh?" but give this a listen- his style is 100% SOUL. Great blues style. Inimitable!



Who knows where he would have gone? The man was only 45 yrs. old when he died. Damn."

Outstanding harp AND guitar

Terry Banen | 07/14/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is Clarke's best album combining his awesome harp. with swing and slowly executed blues. I'm a big blues fan and I feel this is one of the all time great CDs. William Clarke we miss you."