Search - William Clarke :: Tip of the Top

Tearing It Up

Jason Reed | Oregon | 12/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It has been a long, dreadful wait for this. Since William Clarke's death in 1996, there has not been a blues release of this magnitude. "Tip of the Top" is both powerful and majestic; the awesome performances of Clarke and his guest musicians pave the way to some great blues listening. The local bar has a copy and it has not been taken out of the CD player since the first time it was played. Each and every time it is heard by someone new, they start to tap their toes and before you know it they're up on their feet and boogying on the dance floor. I highly reccomend this release and once again thank KingAce Music and savor the memory of William Clarke."

William Clarke-master of expressing blues

Micha Pudlo | Eindhoven, Netherlands | 03/21/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"William Clarke was in my opinion one of the very best harpists that ever lived on this planet. As good as he was to blow a jazzy or jumping tune on the chromatic harmonica, the emotion he could express in a slow blues on the bluesharp, I've never heard any better. No note-blurring but playing and feeling every note in a very sensible way. This cd is a summary of his early period, featuring the guitarists Ronnie Earl, maybe the best known for the general bluesaudience, the late great Hollywood Fats, who was a master of traditional and jump blues, and the genial jump-blues guitarist Junior Watson who is just the best bluesguitarist still living (and coming to Europe too few). Don't miss this record, drink a few beers less tonight and buy the record. You won't regret it!!"

Like Steppin' Into Your Favorite Club

Alex | Colorado | 05/15/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's truly a shame that William Clarke, one of the finest comtemporary bluesmen, had to pass away so long before his time. Clarke was in the midst of exploring brand new directions for blues and blues harmonica when he died. Fortunatly, Clarke did not leave us empty-handed. His legacy lives on in his outstanding recordings, including the excellent re-issue of one of his vintage eighties records.For those expecting another album full of wildly different and unique sounding blues like Clarke's Alligator releases, don't. Tip of the Top is from back in the days when Clarke was still exploring and creating the sound which became his hallmark. That doesn't mean you won't hear some outstanding blues, though. Even if he hasn't reached the revolutionary hieghts of those Alligator albums, Clarke still demonstrates himself to be a true master of the blues, and this is an album well worth hearing.One of the qualities which has actually made this one of my favorite Clarke albums, is the 'feel' of this record. This is one of those rare discs which gives the listener the sensation of actually being at a live performance in a great blues venue. The music has grit and honesty to it rather than the polished feel that ususally comes across on studio albums. True, some of the tracks are live, but even the ones that aren't have the feel. My personal favorites include "Chromatic Jump," with Clarke's brilliant chromatic harp front and center, and the moving "Triubte to George Smith." Also enjoyable are the guest appearances by Charlie Musselwhite and George 'Harmonica' Smith. Rather than overwhelme Clarke when they come into play, Musselwhite and Smith seem to complement him and even push him beyond himself. If only guest appearances worked out this well all the time.Definatly a disc worth checking out, especially for those who are missing Clarke's presence in the blues world."