Gene Clark by Steve Rose
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- Опубліковано 1 жов 2024
- Gene Clark was a folk-singer who gained fame in 1964 as founding member and chief songwriter for folk-rock pioneers the Byrds. He made two albums with the Byrds and was responsible for some of their best songs and biggest hits, but was never able to jump start his solo career after leaving the group. Despite releasing several outstanding albums for major labels he spent most of his career toiling in relative obscurity.
(Full essay at: www.totallyguit... )
No Other is a masterpiece- one of the greatest LP’s of all time ✌🏻🎶🎸
Any Gene stuff is worth a good listen, he was unique and deep
Just my opinion 😉✌🏻
gene clark is a absolute legend,vastly underated songwriter
Such a tragedy, Gene. I hope he's resting in peace somewhere.
Have to respectfaully disagree. Roadmaster is AWESOME start to finish!
Excellent review. There are so many artists and songwriters, poets etc., who, by industry standards, should have been GIANTS in their genre's. It is a sad commentary on the state of recognition within the music industry, where cash is KING, and great songs fade away if they don't line the pockets of certain record exec's. I hope this changes. Gene Clark's talent stands alone, equal to or exceeding all others, yet he would have been modest about it. Always humble, yet locked into the ethereal pipeline of cosmic creativity, he gave credit to the unknown. A true genius.
No Other’s an incredible LP. Strength of Strings is a beautiful track, you can hear Gene putting everything into that song
Gene Clark...awesome.
Vastly underated musician and respectful man.
I would so love to have seen him perform and tell him how much respect I have for him and how he's a hero for so many fans.
RIP Gene. Rest now and I hope to meet you in the next life.
Disagree with Steve about Roadmaster. It's my favourite Gene Clark album, a melancholy feel throughout all but for the title track itself, which to me feels out of place. It may have been a hodge podge of a record but it works really well to my ear.
It was uncompleted - the record company A&M, I think, pulled the plug on 'Roadmaster' before completion, which was meant to be the follow up to White Light. The tracks were later found and compiled some time during the 1990's. Some of his best work is to be found here: Misty Morning, I Remember The Railroad, Full Circle with outtakes of older stuff like 'She's the Kind of Girl' recorded a couple of years earlier with members of the original Byrds, on what would have been a strong album.
There is a biography on Gene Clark called "Mr. Tambourine Man"....great book!!!
Saw Gene play a few months before he passed in 1991...haunting performance. He was looked very gaunt but his voice was great!!
I agree, the book is very good!!
Gene´s first album was produced by Gary Usher and turned out great with "Tried So Hard" as maybe the best track. Released the same week as "Younger Than Yesterday" so it was overshadowed by that classic album, which also Gary Usher produced..
I agree with so much of what you say, especially about No Other. Gene's talent almost got lost in that one. But then along came So Rebellious a Lover. So many great songs, sung in his soulful voice. I still have more Clark songs to discover and you've helped with that. Thanks so much.
Roadmaster is one of Gene’s best albums!
Gene released ‘Two Sides To Every Story’ in 1977 also product by TJ Kaye. It would be Gene’s final solo album on a major label.
was ahead of his time. the rest of the world just catching up now.
Discovered the first solo album a while back. What a great sound and artist! Country rock with psychedelic influences. Great stuff and strongly agree that at least two of the singles on that album would have been very strong had they received air play.
Hey Steve.. got into Gene mostly in the late 90's.. had already loved The Byrds... a year or so after he passed away in L.A. if met, and teamed up with his son, Kai for the next 8 years.. in our band Mary Underground (unavailable /unpublished) From then on. I learned everything that you are speaking of. and a whole lot more.. Gene's wife Carly, was a friend ( Kai's Mom) Unfortunately, Kai recently lost his Mom first, and know his older brother Kelly past away a year ago.. he is survived by his only other sibling.. Indiana. Thats were Carly was from. Very good job on your video.. you got your facts strait . Regards. JT
Gene's life was a good one. I guess the worst came when he had to be around David Crosby
Well given he didn’t like the fame I think we have to say him still making music to the end was a success
I tried to put my arm into your video to see what you have in your collection. There seems to be no lps. I look through everybodys music,
The Man is Forever.
I agree Uwe. What do you think of "Two Sides" Steve?
Listen to Echoes an amazing tune
Sadly he got lost in the bottle.
That was great. Thanks!
Steve Rose needs to give No Other another few listens. It is a unique masterpiece.
I relate to Clark's aversion to flying. I've flown only once...and will never do it again. My friends laugh at me because I'm afraid to fly, and yet I have no problem with hopping on my Harley and riding down the road at 60 - 70 MPH.
Same here. I witnessed a passenger plane crash up close when I was young,and cannot get on a plane.
Gene Clark reputably also had no fear riding his motor cycle of fast cars ( Ferrari), down the winding LA Canyon suburbs.
Who is Jim McGuinn? Was he in the Byrds?
Jim changed his name to Roger in 1967.
Missing Two sides to every story... for me his best album!
id love to have a chat with you. Thanks for posting this
say Jim McGuinn 1 more time, I dare you!
TY Steve.Love the story Facinating. Would loved to hear you're opinion on Two Sides.
Where was the review for Two sides to every story.
Sounds like you're not a fan of No Other either!
unsung? uh, not really..
I bought the reissue of No Other which has an excellent stripped down version of the title song. It's far superior to the original track that made the album imho.
Joining up with blue or new grass is always a mistake. Gene's best stuff came with the Byrds and late with Carla Olson.
Wonder if John Phillips and Lou Adler used their influence to torpedo Gene’s career as retribution for Michelle and Gene’s dalliance?
Interesting point!
Yes, that's very interesting, indeed🤔
Very interesting listening. I loved Gene Clark but in truth I can understand why the 'No Other' album failed. The record company claimed it was expensive and over indulgent. I think that was a fair comment. There are some really nice tracks but as the man said it did not suit Gene's more simplistic style. Gene Clark was a most empathetic and sensitive songwriter but I don't feel he was an advanced guitar player. That being the case you need to emphasise your strengths not drown them out with technology.
Sebastian, the success of 'no other' was not hanging on gene clark's guitar 'limitations' he was actually a bit better than what you are saying, jesse Ed Davis stated this while helpi g gene with 'white light' jesse Davis immaculate playing helped raise the bar of genes playing, but yes he was never going to be successful with his guitar playing. He didn't need to be, he had a virtuoso singing style, and was a virtuoso songwriter! So his lack of guitar virtuosity had no impact whatsoever to the success or failure of 'no othet' ad for the album itself, he wanted to do something different, and he did!
No Other is an overproduced mess, after the matchless brilliance of White Light and Fantastic Expedition.
The 1980s demo sessions Gypsy Angel, only released in 2001, are a poignant demonstration that, almost to the end of his life, Clark found it very difficult to write a bad song. I commend it to true fans.
Really, Clark is the one rock artist originating in the 1960s that should be mentioned in the same breath as Dylan. Dylan himself knew how good he was.
You think? No Other is a work of genius. How can anyone not like Silver Raven, The True One, Silver Phial, Lady of The North and the Title track itself. Okay, parts of album in it's entirety may not to some be easy on the ear first off...but given time...assuming you're a Clark fan. If it sounded good in '74 it sounds absolutely wonderful today. Sorry, but Mr Rose is talking out of his rear.
No Other is his best work, in my opinion. White Light would have benefitted from a little bit more (but only just a little) instrumentation.
listen to gene clark ;the white light demos' just him and guitar.....my fav gene clark album
He stripped down versions on the re-release of No Other are much better than Kaye's overproduced mess.Great songs that are buried by overdone production. "Gospel Singers " on a Gene Clark album ? Yuk ! Another great comp is Here Tonight, the White Light demos album. Gene at his finest.
Roger not Jim Mcguin
Roger's name is actually Jim, he changed it with his involvement with the Sudub (?)
jim is his real name,,he changed it to roger,,,
Subud. Check out actor/musician Bill Mumy's (Will Robinson from Lost in Space) musical video homage to the Byrds, "When Roger was Jim", also posted on UA-cam.
He changed his middle name , which he uses as his stage name. He's legally James Roger McGuinn.