GUY CLARK: SONGWRITER...
Guy Clark Today!
"Back in the Day" (as the old saw goes...)-
Okay, today I felt like penning a BLOG about Guy Clark. There are "Legends in their own mind" and then there's Guy Clark--a "Legend in his own time". He is among a handful of songwriters for me who represent what I call a true wordsmith---slowly carving onto the proverbial "canvas of life" images of timeless songs filled with emotional depth and getting "down to cases"--that's what I appreciate about this man. For 35 years, Guy Clark has consistently been the songwriter young artists study and seasoned writers worship as a sort of enigma.
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A true Luthier who built guitars in the Dopyera Brothers' Dobro factory, 1971 was the break-out year for Guy Clark and Jerry Jeff Walker's album featuring the Clark composition "L.A. Freeway" (which became an FM radio hit). In 1973, Walker released "Viva! Terlingua" (recorded live) and Clark's ballad "Desperado's Waiting for a Train"--a masterpiece based on Clark's memory of an oilfield worker who was a resident of his grandmother's hotel. Years later, I picked up The Highwaymen's (Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson & Johnny Cash) debut album with a powerful arrangement of that song. Armed with what he calls "a pencil and a big eraser", his contemporaries are: Mickey Newbury, Kris Kristofferson, Townes Van Zandt, Rodney Crowell, Billy Joe Shaver, Steve Earle, Dave Loggins and David Allen Coe. If you still don't recognize these guys, start with "GOOGLE"! He has been described as:..."a national treasure and folk icon, crafting masterful, poignant melodies and insightful lyrics. Tough, bare-boned and dryly sentimental, his beautiful songs reflect the man himself and display an old-fashioned masculinity that emphasizes honesty, integrity and carefully chosen words. His craggy, wistful story-songs, and plain-spoken delivery are also indicative of his persona".
Hit songs include: "L. A. Freeway," "Desperado's Waiting for a Train," "Texas, l947," "Instant Coffee Blues," "Rita Ballou," "She Ain't Goin' Nowhere," "Let Him Roll," "A Nickel for the Fiddler," "That Old Time Feeling" and "Like a Coat From the Cold."
The Collaborations read like a "Who's Who?" of music: Rodney Crowell, Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill, Albert Lee, Johnny Cash, Rosanne Cash, Ricky Skaggs, Lyle Lovett, John Hiatt, Joe Ely, John Prine and Mary Chapin Carpenter. An ingenius songwriter, in 2006 I caught Guy Clark, Joe Ely, John Hiatt and Lyle Lovett in concert. It cost me a small fortune, but I had a Blast! These guys deliberately show up at a gig with no Set List! You don't have to like folk or country music to have a great time seeing these guys in concert. When they come to town, well...you know where I'll be! ...Oh, before I forget. I should take delivery of my repaired Laptop Computer today. "Film at 11"...
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IT'S THURSDAY...ENJOY IT!
posted by Michael Manning @ 1:50 PM
20 comments
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20 Comments:
I like Guy and all the singers and songwriters you mentioned. I'm a big country music fan, mostly the old stuff. I'm not much on the new so-called "country" music.
Hope you get your computer back in good repair and ready for blogging.
Happy Thursday! ;o)
Love and hugs,
Diane
I'm a little young for this post i think...lol
Hope all is well with you and that you have a good end of the week.
Lots of love to you!
Jess
that's kind of a who's who of musicans with whom he's worked!
I can't believe you know David Allan Coe's music. He is iconic in these here parts! Such fun! And Lyle Lovett, he tells a great story through the ballads he pens. I lovelovelove his "First Mistake" on the Road to Enscenada. I really enjoyed (and learned from) this great post. Thanks!
And BTW, my little one is still stuck on Cat Scratch Fever... UGH! I really enjoyed it the first 11teen time. This last 4 bazillion, not quite so much! (Sorry Ted, but the royalities ain't comin' your way on that one...)
Can't say I've heard of this fella,but you make him sound really intersting.You have good taste in tunes,so I'll have to check this out.
Kris Kristofferson & David Alan Coe have always been high on my fave list...that is until I heard Coe's REALLY REAALY racist songs he put out a while back.I was literally in shock hearing him sing stuff like"nasty ass n****r-loving-white-girls"! I was shocked and appalled that the whole CD was about black people,and I haven't listened to him since.I doubt this guy had any part of writing those tunes for David Alan Coe,cuz the ststuff is TOO harsh to even repeat!Alot of ppl aren't even aware that he's got music out there like that.I'm surprised he hasn't ran into some really agg person over making that CD.
Anyways,the comment above surprises me,cuz Cat Scratch Fever will NEVER get old to me.Ohhhhh wow! Those were the good ol' days,huh?
Huggggggggs!
p.s-if u pop in on my blog,forgive the crazy terminolgy,I went ballistic over a family issue.
Have a grrrreat day,hun.
hugggggggggs!!
Lots of good music you've listed. Hope getting your laptop back gets you up to speed.
No it's FRIDAY - i'm behind! Have a wonderful week-end Michael! Rock on!
Not someoneone I knew. A fine write-up.
I have heard of all of them.
Is that bad?
I'm old.
I know a couple of his songs, I'm more of a rocker Ozzy, Stones but some times you have to lay back and listen to what most of us believe and that's the origines of rick and roll comes from these artists breakthroughs.
Diane: The computer is NOT back, sadly. I had to have an express company grab it and I should have it dialed in by mid-week. These guys are a fun bunch of musicians--each is unique and fun-loving. I am more of a Rock guy but Clark is one to admire for his authentic ingenuity and sense of humor.
Jess: lol to you in the New Year. Music is "ageless"! Take care!:)
Sage: A lot of good road travelled and more to come straight ahead! HAPPY NEW YEAR! :)
3 Magpies: Lyle played Ensenada and the theater went nuts. Among the group, he is quite the stylist on guitar--an amazing musician!
Tammi: Of course, I know you realize that I mention Coe in passing a merely a reference. He is culturally significant among this genre' of music. That said, I never have and never will support a racist song. I felt the need to clarify this for the benefit of my readers. Clark is admirable aong with Messrs. Hiatt, Ely and Lovett. Amen.
PM: The delays are quite a source of frustration. By next week, I should be "back in the saddle again"! See ya soon!!!:)
Afternoon, Patti: We have a Photo Meeting today and I hope to Rock On, yes! lol! :D)
Jean-Luc Picard: His latest CD is well worth the Grammy Guy earned for it in 2007!
Walker: ROCK ON! Music is as essential as Oxygen to me! :) See you after the computer repairs!
I guess I am going to have to check out you tube, I don't remember ever hearing anything by him.
We all learn along the way.
Green Tea: Worth a visit! He is a lot of fun as an artist and very gifted. :)
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