Blowin Like Hell

William Clarke | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 2, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Alligator Records
• ASIN: B0000009ZO
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #147,754 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

From Grove Press Guide to Blues on CD

Los Angeleno Clarke has minuscule devils dancing on the metal reeds inside his chromatic harp. One of the instrument's consummate players, Clarke is concerned with the blues' intrinsic merit more than its surface detail, and he almost never showboats. Favoring jazzy West Coast rhythms, he employs a fine guitarist named Alex Schultz and a rhythm section that has imagination and taste to go along with technique. It should be noted that Clarke is an acceptable songwriter and an undistinguished singer. -- © Frank John Hadley 1993

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars William Clarke- Rest In Peace., February 1, 2005

By 

Campbell Roark "tri-zeta" (from under the floorboards and through the woods...) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blowin Like Hell (Audio CD)

William Clarke (along with paul Butterfield, Big Walter horton and a handful of others) was one of the few guys who brought their own idiosyncratic style to the blues harp. Most players tend to blast what they've heard on the old Chicago blues records that they love- nuthin wrong with that, per se... But Clarke definitely had his own style. Also, Clarke wrote pretty much most of his own tunes and they're sweet- the man knew his own thang.

On this one- he truly cooks. This is an overlooked and underrated blues classic that blues harp aficianados (msp?) of all caliber should pick up. The rhythm section burns and cooks and the harp is CHOICE. This is one of the two first albums (along with 'Serious Intentions') that Clarke cut for Alligator. I think all of his gator releases are worth a listen, but this is my hands down favorite. Great notes, never sloopy. Clarke was heavily influenced by George "harmonica" Smith, who was a vet of the Muddy waters band. He was also influenced by organ playing, of all things- guys like Jimmy McGriff and Richard "Groove" Holmes (the Beastie Boys penned an instrumental track with his name on it). He was from ali, not Chi-town and that Cali-soul thing is one of the forms that animates his playing. You may think, "huh?" but give this a listen- his style is 100% SOUL. Great blues style. Inimitable!

Who knows where he would have gone? The man was only 45 yrs. old when he died. Damn.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding harp AND guitar, July 14, 1999

By 

Terry Banen - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blowin Like Hell (Audio CD)

This is Clarke's best album combining his awesome harp. with swing and slowly executed blues. I'm a big blues fan and I feel this is one of the all time great CDs. William Clarke we miss you.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Guitar players listen up!!, March 6, 2007

By 

Tele-pathic (Red Bank, NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blowin Like Hell (Audio CD)

Of Course William Clarke was a terrific blues harp player as this CD well documents. That being said, guitar players will LOVE this CD for the exceptional guitar playing of Alex Schultz. The opening track, "Lollipop Mama" is a clinic in west coast jump blues phrasing. If you are unfamiliar with Alex he is out of the Hollywood Fats, Junior Watson, Rick Holmstrom, Little Charlie Baty camp and he is VERY tasty. If you play or just really like blues guitar but do not usually buy CD's by harp players, buy this one!!