W.C. Clark Albums (6)
What The Critics Say
Like his last album, From Austin With Soul, this title references both W.C. Clark's Texas home base and his R&B leanings. Once again produced by horn player Mark "Kaz" Kazanoff, who also contributes harmonica, sax, and punchy brass arrangements, this is a classic soul lovers delight. Clark's grease-and-gravy voice is exhilarating, dripping with emotion and changing his inflection to boasting, hurtful, tough or tender depending on the song. The opening "Stronger Than You Need to Be" bursts out with the loose-limbed intensity of the best Otis Redding material, as the horns underline a Memphis groove so authentic you'd think you had unearthed a great lost Stax side. Sizzling covers of Redding's "You Left the Water Running," Joe Tex's "I Want to Do Everything for You," and Otis Clay's "I Didn't Know the Meaning of Pain" further cement that connection as tasty guitar licks intricately spar with the nimble horn charts and Clark's world-weary voice. The slow blues of "My Texas Home" gives Clark a chance to strut his guitar skills as does the closing take on Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown's "Okie Dokie Stomp," where the brass gooses the already elastic jump blues. He also raids fellow Texas journeymen the Fabulous Thunderbirds' catalog for a rollicking "Twist of the Knife," and kicks back with John Hiatt's darkly affecting "Tip of My Tongue." Cleanly recorded but not slick, producer Kazanoff expertly balances detailed sonics with a gutsy live sound that delivers one knock-out punch after the next. It's a terrific contemporary soul release that meshes blues and R&B into an explosive combination, and shows the veteran Clark at the peak of his powers. ~ Hal Horowitz, All Music Guide
'From Austin With Soul'
Release Date 4/23/2002
Tracks 13
Label Alligator
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Although he records for Alligator -- Chicago's home of "house-rocking music" -- this long-awaited return from Austin's founding father of the blues might just as well have been waxed during the glory years of Hi Records. As on his last release, guitarist/vocalist Clark meshes R&B with gospel, funk, and blues in a greasy Memphis soul stew that bubbles with passion. The delight Clark exudes in playing this music is evident on every track. His lead guitar playing sparkles, but is mostly reduced to fills and takes a back seat to the jaw-dropping singing that reaches out and grabs the listener. Like Al Green, with whom he shares a similar vocal approach, Clark testifies with every phrase. Not religious-based, this is still music grounded in the church no matter how funky and bluesy it is. When Clark states he's a "Real Live Livin' Hurtin' Man," he might as well be preaching from the pulpit and saving souls. Divided halfway between covers and originals, Clark's versions of Clarence Carter's "Snatching It Back," Allen Toussaint by way of Lee Dorsey's "Get out of My Life Woman," O.V. Wright's "I've Been Searching," and even Oliver Sain's warhorse "Don't Mess up a Good Thing" (with Marcia Ball providing the female duet part) find new life in this setting. He even rescues "How Long Is a Heartache Supposed to Last?" from obscure soulman Jimmy Lewis and makes it sound like the lost classic it is. Longtime associate Mark Kazanoff's tenor sax and production keep the album focused while playing to Clark's strengths: his searing voice and supple guitar work. When he does let loose on six-string during "I'm Gonna Disappear," it's obvious he's got the chops to do more. But it's that restraint that makes this such a satisfying comeback. Sadly, as of its release in 2002, this was the only W.C. Clark album available, a frustrating situation since anyone who experiences From Austin With Soul is going to want to hear more from this magnificent and classy soul/bluesman. ~ Hal Horowitz, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Long a fixture on the Austin, Texas music scene, W.C. Clark has been both mentor and band mate to Stevie Ray Vaughan, Marcia Ball and Lou Ann Barton. With an all-star Austin cast of Double Trouble's Chris Layton and Tommy Shannon, Sarah Brown, Derek O'Brien and Mark Kazanoff, Clark spreads his musical palette wide on this disc. Equal parts Texas blues and the kind of soul/R&B music as exemplified by O.V. Wright, Al Green and Sam Cooke, Clark's vocals here are nothing short of eloquent while his guitar stings and stabs with the best of them. W.C.'s ode to his deceased girlfriend ("Are You Here, Are You There?") is one of the numerous highlights aboard along with "Pretty Little Mama," "Changing My Life With Your Love" and the closer, "That's a Good Idea." With tight playing, great songs and solid arrangements, this is Clark's most realized album to date. ~ Cub Koda, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Although W.C. Clark does perform a few blues, this CD is essentially an R&B/soul session which puts the emphasis on Clark's calm but emotional vocals (some of the lyrics are somewhat philosophical) and stinging guitar. The five-piece Kamikaze Horns are restricted to ensemble fills and riffs. Even if a certain predictability pervades the set, Clark (who in spots reminds one slightly of both Ray Charles and B.B. King) is a skilled perfomer in the idiom, making this a date recommended to fans of the Stax sound of the 1960s. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Heart of Gold is an impressive showcase for W.C. Clark's deep talents, giving him the opportunity to flaunt his chops and prove that he can play nearly anything. Clark's foundation is in greasy roadhouse Texas blues and while there's a number of wonderful cuts in that style here, he doesn't limit himself to Texas shuffles. Instead, he turns out some sweaty soul -- including a seductive, passionate reading of Latimore's "Let's Straighten It Out" -- and some organ-drenched Tex-Mex workouts which not only give the album diversity, they also give the album depth. And that's the reason why Heart of Gold is the definitive W.C. Clark release -- it's the first (and arguably only) time he's gotten it completely right on record. ~ Thom Owens, All Music Guide
