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 How
does that old sayin’ go? … “Deep in the heart of Texas”!
Well it has a few meanings for multiple W.C. Handy Awards nominee,
Blues artist W.C. Clark. First, he’s been given the distinguished
title of “The Godfather Of Austin Texas Blues” and the title of
his latest album on Alligator is, “Deep In The Heart”.
W.C. Clark’s soulful vocals and lead guitar take a front seat
driver position to one hell of a band. Most notable are Derek
O’Brien and Pat Boyack on rhythm guitars, Marcia Ball on piano and
Mark Kazanoff; harmonica, saxes and arrangements for The Texas
Horns. With the rest of the musical line-up, all contribute to
what’s deep in the heart of W.C., one excellent recording.
The groove settin’ “Stronger Than You Need To Be” sets off the
play list. Rock your personal Blues away on “Cold Blooded
Lover’. Then W.C. and Mark’s lyrics let you know that “You
Left The Water Running”. Joe Tex’s song “I Want To Do
Everything For You” has a new feelin’ in the hands of W.C. Kim
Wilson’s “Twist Of The Knife” you know means a lot to Mr.
Clark just by listenin’ to it. The inspired “Tip Of My
Tongue”, a John Hiatt composition, slows down the pace. W.C.’s
“Jaded Lady” sounds like it could be an R&B hit today and
feature a simple but effective guitar solo from him. A straight a
head Blues shuffle, with the harp blowin’ of Mark, is up next on
“Ain’t Lost Nothin””. Then there’s a reminder to give her
a “Soul Kind Of Loving”. One of my personal favourite tracks on
this album is the slow Blues of “My Texas Home” a W.C. tune that
really catches his singin’ and guitar talents. A soulful tempo is
picked up on “I Didn’t Know The Meaning Of Pain”. A funky mood
hits ya in “If You Think About It”. I hear “Promises” is up
next. Is there a better way to close out an album than with a
revisited version of Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown’s 1954
historical instrumental “Okie Dokie Stomp” with W.C. Clark
rippin’ away at his six strings, I don’t think so!
W.C. Clark is a powerful force on the Blues scene to be dealt with.
Pick up this album and you will have those Blues ‘deep in the
heart’ of your soul! Eddy B
A five bottle, out of a six-pack, release.
For more on W.C. Clark check out: www.wcclark.com
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