Customer Reviews

Dublin Blues

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Guy Clark's *Dublin Blues* has the feel of a diamond cutter at work. Every word, every phrase is like a diamond cutter's blow, exact, giving more by cutting excess away. "Dublin Blues", the title cut, portrays a haunted, worldly guy -- he's been to Spain, seen the David, heard Doc Watson -- but his heart is broken, he longs for forgiveness, and none of the beauty he's found in the world can relieve his sufferering. It's the first of a series of searching, bluesy country songs exploring loss, hope, faith, dreams, and grief. If you like minimalist art, if you enjoy laconic, soulful songs and pared down musical arrangements, Guy Clark's *Dublin Blues* achieves near perfection.

I cannot listen to Guy Clark without hearing something new at every playing. This guy always seems to be talking directly to me. As far as the Amazon reviewer mentioning a limited range and tone and clip-clop tempos... he has totally missed the whole point of Guy Clark. I can't imagine anyone else doing his songs as well as he does or anyone "improving" his songs by changing anything about them. They are LIFE. They are TRUTH. They are PROFOUND. The feelings of every son to every father are in "The Randall Knife". I hope I'm living my life with "The Cape" tied around my neck; if you're not, why are you here? Haven't you met people you wished would "Shut Up and Talk To Me"? I could go on, but I hope my point is clear: This guy Clark "KNOWS" and can craft and create in words and music the things we should all be aware of in our own lives. He's not just writing about life in the abstract, at a distance. He's been there and has much to tell us, if we will take the time to listen.

Here I am in Dublin...from there I'm hooked. Some of Guy's best writing. The title tune with the odd acoustic riff and the spooky sense of sorrow and joy at the same time. "Stuff That Works", the collaboration with Rodney Crowell that includes a really sweet turn toward Guy's wife Suzannah, "Black Diamond Strings", the obligitory this could be a drunken sing along song if you want it to be, not to mention a tip of the cap to Rodney and those strings every guitar player started out with.

The highlight though is a beautiful version of what is arguably the best song Guy has ever written, "The Randall Knife." It's one of those songs that when its over you say if I could write anything as good as any line in that song I could die a happy man. The tune about a relationship with a father is one most of us can relate to.

This is one another of those take it to a desert island records. Buy it today

All I will say is this: any man who has lost his father and can listen to "Randall Knife" without tears isn't ready to deal with his loss yet. Exquisite, sensitive, tough, and true. My favorite album. Ever. By anybody. I'd buy Guy Clark a beer with pride.

Guy Clark is a slow and careful songsmith. He doesn't release many CDs, so each one is meticulously crafted. This is one of his best.

Listen to the words and absorb the rhythms of the title track, IMO simply one of the finest songs written by any modern singer-songwriter. Who else could write a love song that admits to being too proud to come in out of the rain; unapologetically equates the works of Michelangelo, da Vinci, and Doc Watson; and book-ends it all with the unforgettable, acidic verse, "I wish I was in Austin, in the Chili Parlor Bar, drinking Mad Dog margaritas, and not caring where you are" -- all in 4:20 ?

From the sage wisdom of "Stuff that Works" (w/R. Crowell, a long-time friend of his), to the uplifting message and wry humor of "The Cape", to the painful mourning of his father's death in "Randall Knife", this disk includes some of his finest songwriting. If you are new to Guy Clark's music, this is a fine way to start appreciating his poetry set to music.

Life turns in strange and mysterious ways. A few weeks ago a friend invited me to his wedding reception. He and his bride were especially excited to share their joy with friends and family.They brought together over 200 people to share the moment. Guy Clark performed. I was hooked. I immediately bought Dublin Blues. Mr. Clark has the unique ability to connect with meaningful lyrics that tie the human experience to poetic song and verse. His "The Cape" masterfully and whimiscally portrays one of lifes known facts.Trust in yourself and your hopes. His "Randall Knife" touches anyone's soul who has sought to understand the connections between parent and child in a very touching way using the symbolism of a treasured object the "Randall Knife". I was priviledged to meet Guy Clark who was gracious enough to perform at a private party. I am now hooked on this masterful songwriter and gracious gentleman.

I have only recently encountered Guy Clark; but it has certainly saved this indian summer we are enjoying right now in Denmark (september 1999)for me. A good friend in Oklahoma introduced Guy Clark to me and my wife. We immediatedly bought "Dublin Blues" and "Keepers" (and later I ordered Boats to Build and the double CD with "Guy Clark", "The South Coast of Texas" and "Better Days" and we are very impressed with the high quality of the texts and the music (the more middle-of-the-road country sound on the earlier records doesn't fit the words - which are also extremely good - just a well as the newer, unplugged arrangements on the newer ones, though). I could quote fine lines from song after song...

recently went on a "birthday trip" with friends of several ages and everyone LOVED this cd and had to have it --- although this is my favorite of his cd's the more I listen to each and every one the more i want to hear them!!!

Bitter sweet and beautifully sad. A work of truth and genius. Check out the title track and then hold back the shakes with every breath. He saings about his fathers death .. mine died too, he (Clark) made me cry. U like country blues and home truth ??? Then this is the album for you. Drink loud, listen close. The man moves you.

First I should say that I like "Old Friends" and "The Essential Guy Clark" better than this release. Then I have to say that even a less than perfect Clark CD is pretty damn good. Guy is a meticulous lyricist. My favorites on here are "Dublin Blues" and "Black Diamond Strings" and "Tryin' to Try" and "Hangin' Your Life on the Wall." To me, "The Randall Knife", which other reviewers love, is one of the weaker performances. When Guy is good, Guy is great. When he fails, the song is still a near-miss, not a disaster.