Gene Clark - Silverado 75Live Unreleased (12 tracks) +Album Reviews

The Best Way To Remember Gene

PHILIP S WOLF | SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA. USA | 06/11/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Thirty three years after the fact, I am writing about a show from a small club in Colorado. Now after all the time that has passed, we now are lucky enough to visit with Gene, and {via our CD Players} hear the wonder and the magic that he possessed.

"Silverado '75 ~ Live & Unreleased" is an honest testament to one of the finest American singer/songwriter and performers of American popular music, well...ever. This is Gene, {on a good night} standing before a happy bunch playing some Byrd chestnuts: {"Here Without You","Set You Free This Time"} some good ol' traditional gems: {"Long Black Veil", "In The Pines'} and stipped-down versions of a few of his greatest compositions: {"Train Leaves Here This Morning", "She Darked The Sun"}.

With only two other players as support: Roger White -Guitars & Harmony Vocals and Duke Bardwell -Bass & Acoustic Guitars and Harmonies}. This is Gene's music performed without all the over-production that marred some of his studio recordings. Gene was a GREAT performer,and now we get to listen in and hear him at his very best: {listen for his great 'hillbilly' vocal tricks} and having heaps of fun. {Using a 'Dylan' voice between songs}.

To say that Gene Clark is about the most underrated of American music greats is in it's self an understatement. Here are twelve fantasic songs, and they are sung and played like no others can. Gene Clark, is presented here in all his wonder and glory...This is timeless music that shines like a mountian stream at dawn. Just give this one a listen, you won't be Sorry.

This is the Gene Clark that I remember from a stage in Norfolk, Va way back in 1985. He was amazing to watch and hear on that night, and on: "Silverado 75" all of the magic that I remember is presented all over again. This one is essential. Don't think of this as rock, folk of even country music. This is American storytelling by one of the finest we have ever had. Gene, didn't gain the notice that deserved him while he was alive. Here is another chance to enjoy nim, don't pass him by.

FIVE STARS!!!"

Not Clark's best, but ...

Statman | Little Rock, AR USA | 07/03/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Although Gene Clark has had a number of superior live performances, and this album is not among his better releases, it is still folksey and enjoyable. A nice blend of rock, folk, and country delivered in a laidback, intimate fashion. For those unfamiliar with Clark's music outside the Byrds, I would recommend starting with No Other, Flying High, or the Fantastic Expedition of Dillard and Clark, all fantastic albums. Roadmaster, White Light, So Rebellious a Lover, and In Concert are also excellent. But for Clark/Byrds fans this release is special indeed."

A Byrd Flies Alone

Cordo | USA | 07/14/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"After Gene Clark quit The Byrds in 1966 (he came back temporarily a couple of times in the ensuing years), he really struggled. He had a crippling fear of flying (he grew up next to an airport and had witnessed a plane crash, which stuck with him), so he couldn't tour effectively to promote his albums.

This concert was part of a tour to promote his latest album, "No Other" (1974). After a rift with record company present David Geffen, "No Other" had received critical acclaim but little promotion and died on the vine. Clark took matters into his own hands. He rented a van, got a couple of guys to play back-up (the "Silverado" of the title), and hit the road. Unfortunately, his situation wasn't helped by his alcohol and drug abuse, which made him unreliable and ultimately killed first his career and then him.

Like Brian Wilson in the '70's, if you caught Gene Clark when he was on, you were in for a treat. Gene's romantic quaver is intact and his Kansas twang is more to the fore. Most of the songs are from his solo albums. Gene plays harmonic and guitar. He uses the harp almost like a sax.

"No Other" and "Silver Raven" are from "No Other." "Kansas City Southern" here is a country lope. Check out the "Three Byrds in London" CD (also sold by Amazon) for a tough bluesy rocker version. Gene includes only two Byrds numbers. "Here without You" from the first album is very much re-worked and comes out as a song of plaintive longing and is much more effective. "Set You Free This Time" from the second album is full of romantic resignation.

Gene Clark was a fine singer and great songwriter. The vocals here are a little more nasal than we are used to, possibly the effect of too much cocaine. We are used to hearing him in a band context. Here, the songs are stripped down to their essence. This show is not only an opportunity to hear him sing without studio trickery, but the commentary between songs also shows a lot about his personality. You can also catch him live in a couple of McGuinn and Clark shows from 1977 on wolfang'svault.com. Gene and his merry band generate evergy when needed and vocal beauty also. If you want to hear a rock legend out there with just his songs, you'll really enjoy this show."

+1/2 -- An intimate look into a former-Byrd's soul

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 09/01/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"As a founding member of the Byrds, Clark was known for both his singing and songwriting, having written and sung several of the Byrds most memorable tunes. His departure in 1966 led to a one-off recording with the Gosdin Brothers whose fusion of country and rock pre-dated the Clark-less Byrds turn (Sweetheart of the Rodeo) by a year. Clark rambled further on the country-rock road with Doug Dillard for a pair of albums, and finally recorded his first solo release in 1971. His songwriting and singing remained strong throughout, but his commercial fortunes never matched the success he'd found early on; even a 1973 reunion of the Byrds' original lineup failed to generate any real sparks in the marketplace; what it did provide was an introduction to David Geffen, who offered Clark a solo deal on Asylum.

The resulting 1974 solo album, No Other, was miles from the rootsy directions Clark had been exploring, befuddling listeners with layers of instruments and studio effects. His label was likewise nonplussed, cutting the planned double album to a single, failing to fully promote the release, and providing little tour support; the album disappeared after slinking on to the bottom of the chart. So it was in the shadow of these failures that Clark set out on a lengthy tour of club dates with a trio composed of himself, Roger White on guitar and Duke Bardwell on bass. The artist's disappointment and sadness is evident on this 1975 live recording in both the weariness of his vocals and the dismissal of the album with only two tracks ("No Other" and "Silver Raven") on his set list.

The drumless, stripped-down sound of the trio is fleshed out with harmonica and three-part harmonies. This follows from Clark's earlier country-rock work, and his pre-Byrds career as a folkie shows in the directness of his singing. Besides the folk-country staple "Long Black Veil" and the traditional "In the Pines," the songwriting is all Clark's. He reaches back to the Byrds first two albums for "Here Without You" and "Set You Free This Time," each more weary and resigned than the originals, and Dillard & Clark's nostalgic mid-western train song, "Kansas City Southern," a mainstay of Clark's live set, is less bluegrass-frenetic than the studio original and and more country-soul groove. Drawing "She Darked the Sun" from Dillard & Clark's first album, Clark turns in his most focused and heartrending (if not always on-key) performance of the set.

In addition to a pair of songs from No Other ("No Other" and "Silver Raven" the latter included as an encore), Clark includes a song cut from the original release, "Train Leaves Here This Morning," and a pair of new songs "Daylight Line" and the poetic, metaphorical "Home Run King." The CD's 65-minute running length includes some of Clark's between-song banter, revealing the intimate space (both physical and personal) in which the show was performed. In many ways it's fitting that the emotional strain of Clark's lyrics are underlined by the physical exertion of club touring; this may not be Clark's best recording, but it's lack of artifice provides an unobstructed view into the songwriter's soul. 3-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings. [©2008 hyperbolium dot com]"

Gene Lives

david emerick | uxbridge ma | 06/14/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Originally a radio broadcast, this show was done after Gene Clark's "No Other" lp, and before the "Two Sides" lp. With a sparse backing duo, Gene does a selection of tunes from his Byrds days, right up through new and unreleased songs. A great show, with Gene and group in fine form. As good as his studio works were, Gene Clark was a first rate live performer as this cd bears out.Nice audio remix by Collector's Choice; hopefully we'll see more Gene Clark product from them in the future. Insightful liner notes by Gene Clark biographer John Eniason, who's book on Gene Clark, "Mr. Tambourine Man", is also highly recommended.Read the book while listening to this disc."

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