Customer Reviews

Somedays The Song Writes You

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Well, actually Guy's song says "Stuff That Works", but I get the idea!! :-)

My first exposure to Guy Clark was his "Old Friends" album (HIGHLY recommended!), when I heard the song "Old friends" one week and "Immigrant Eyes" the next on a Philly folk music show... and thanks to Gene Shay for that!!

It's hard to believe that Guy has been around for thirty-five years and is still writing some of the best songs around. I see Guy's work as a piece; not that you have to be familiar with all of it in order to appreciate this album... It all hangs together so damn well. Guy once said that Townes' writing was "seamless". I'd like to suggest that Guy's is equally so.

"Some Days The Song Writes You", "Hemingway's Whiskey", "The Guitar", Maybe I Can Paint Over That"... Any of the songs on this album would fit well in any of the other truly superb albums he's done. This is another wonderful bunch of songs from a GREAT songwriter.

On final thing: If you have the chance to see Guy and Verlon in concert, crawl over ground glass to do it! I've seen them play a fair number of times, from Spicewood, Texas to New York City, with many points in between... and loved every show! Hang around for a while after the show and he'll even talk to you... and maybe show you how to open a CD the easy way!! And Verlon is one of the nicest people you will ever meet!!

Guy Clark... As that song also says, "Stuff That Holds Up"!!

First off, I must reveal that I am a huge Guy Clark fan. In some ways that may cloud my judgement of this record. If I had never heard his previous work this album may work better. The songs display the famous craftsmanship of the master songbuilder but they feel much like some of his earlier songs.

"Maybe I Can Paint Over That" borderlines on self plagiarism. The vocal phrasing is almost identical to his classic "Magdaleine". The theme of the song is different but while listening to it I can't put "Magdaleine" out of my head.

There are other songs that have chord progressions and rhythmic passages that are similar to songs from his legendary catalogue. I could hear bits of "Tornado Time In Texas" in the song "Hollywood". It also seems to cover similar themes to his iconic "LA Freeway". There is a version of this song on YouTube that is more interesting than the one chosen for this record.

I, truly, wanted to like this record more than I did.

Guy Clark is back again in 2009 with "SDTSWY" and what a beaut it is!! Another masterpiece from the Texas troubadour that encompasses songs of life, love and living. Guy is the last of a dying breed of songwriter/performers who take the best of those experiences and turn them into vibrant living and breathing things that envelop the listener with every listen.
Thank God for Guy Clark and the time he's been given to share his life stories with those who will listen.
Highly Highly recommended to everyone who enjoys musical tales of wonder and magic.

Magic occurred again today, and it all started with me taking a simple walk down to the mailbox. I received an advance copy of Guy Clark's new record from Dualtone, Somedays the Song Writes You.

Sometimes reviews can be extremely difficult to write and you have to listen repeatedly until the words come. Sometimes the words don't come and you have to put the music back up on the shelf. Other times it becomes much easier and like the title of this masterpiece, somedays the review writes you.

This album is like that. It's so good; I was just able to sit at the computer, place my fingers on the keyboard and go.

Songs like these helped me to fall in love with Mr. Clark's music in the first place. It's an absolute fact, Guy Clark is a poet. His words are always so abundantly rich in texture and this record is no exception. I frankly do not know how the man keeps doing it. He is a brilliant lyricist, a wordsmith, and that is what wordsmiths do. They have the uncanny ability to make words work together, to intertwine, and ultimately paint a picture in your head. There is the original painting in Mr. Clark's head. Then there is the picture in your head. He is so skillful at this, I'm willing to wager big money (if I had any) that our paintings are awfully damn close to being the same. He's just that proficient at projecting an image with words.

Most of the time I'll take two or three songs and write a little on each one. I'm not going to do that this time. There is no need. Every tune on this record is absolutely incredible. I envision the musicians all sitting around in a semi-circle in the middle of a dimly lit smoke hazed room, no amps along with the ever present humming in the background. Everything is in tune, the instruments and the musicians; there is a rhythm to everything and everyone.

The room is being held hostage by the leader of the musicians, Guy Clark. No one can leave, but most importantly, no one has the desire to. Everyone wants to be present. They all want to be a part of the magic and contribute to the master's vision.

The one song I will mention is "If I Needed You", given to us by Townes Van Zandt a long time ago. Guy and Susan Clark were most likely the very first humans to have ever heard the song after Townes dreamt it while staying with them in their home. Guy Clark possesses and exhumes an obvious reverence to this special tune. I felt a great deal of gratitude he decided to include it with the rest of these masterfully written tunes.

Mr. Clark had several accomplices for this particular undertaking. Verlon Thompson joins him on acoustic guitar and harmony vocals. Kenny Malone helps with the drums and percussion duties. Bryn Davies plays the upright bass and sings harmony, and finally, he chose Shawn Camp to play the mandolin and sing harmony as well. You can tell by the fine quality of the performances on the record, they were nearly as much in love with this project as Mr. Clark was.

Guy Clark, Verlon Thompson, and Chris Latham produced the album. In addition, the record was recorded, mixed, and mastered at EMI Studios in Nashville by Chris Latham.

Like I said at the beginning of this review, I don't know how he keeps doing it, but I'm sure glad he does. `Rebel' Rod says check it out.

Guy Clark is a national treasure. Hard to categorize, his music spans several genres. But the constant in his entire repertoire is the craftsmanship of his music and solid lyrics that carry the listener to an always-satisfying experience.

This album is no exception. Being familiar with Guy's music, I found it extremely enjoyable immediately. Track two, "The Guitar", sent chills up my spine the first time around and has continued to thrill in several subsequent listenings.

Every song on this album is well crafted and the guitar work superb. Vernon Thompson lends his always-excellent talents with guitar and mandolin. You can't shake the feeling these guys are having too much fun. Luckily, we get to join in the enjoyment.

An earlier album of Guy's, Grammy nominated "Cold Dog Soup", swept me away with every track upon first listen and remains music which can be listened to anytime. His first album, Old No. 1, was a classic upon release. And Old Friends has some of the prettiest, heart-warming songs you'd ever hope to hear.

If you are unfamiliar with Guy Clark, do yourself a favor; take a chance. Pick up "Cold Dog Soup", "Old No. 1", "Texas Cookin'", and "Old Friends". Then, after you've savored these greats, go back and get ALL Guy's works.

I guarantee if you have a sentimental streak anywhere, you will not regret it.

The songwriter's craft of juxtaposing words to describe a person, scene or situation or to communicate a feeling is only the surface of a process that starts deep within. The ability to step outside one's own moment to describe what's happening or happened, to recognize, observe and frame an experience in which one may be an active participant, is the more ephemeral side of songwriting. It's something that few do as well as Guy Clark, and married to finely selected words, his songs provide uncommonly detailed and communicative windows into moments and people who might otherwise pass unobserved.

In the title song, Clark addresses the alchemical process of songwriting. He notes that songs often appear to songwriters from thin air to exert themselves into being. But with a writer of Clark's caliber, years of practice has left him open to divine these works, to snatch a moment of consciousness out of the rushing river of living. On "Hemingway's Whiskey" he communes writer to writer about the debilitating muse, offering a personal glimpse into the pain of writing, and a picture of drinking as a chronic enabler rather than the classic reactive salve to lost love. Clark is equally effective sketching the seedy side of town, conjuring the scene of a seafarer's final voyage, and animating a pawn shop guitar. The latter's twist ending is laid in a lovely flurry of acoustic finger picking.

The album is filled with lush acoustic playing from Clark and Verlon Thompson, and the rhythms of Kenny Malone (drums) and Bryn Davies (bass) provide a stable but subtle bottom end. Clark's voice has weathered over the years, and though it's never been the prettiest or most melodic instrument, it's filled with emotion, particularly when covering his late friend Townes Van Zandt's "If I Needed You." His co-writes with Rodney Crowell, Shawn Camp, Gary Nicholson, as well as several up-and-coming writers, bring together two generations of his disciples. Clark's long been a "songwriter's songwriter," but he's never stopped working on his craft, and the results are plain to hear on this latest release. [©2009 hyperbolium dot com]

Guy Clark is a fabulous guitar player and songwriter. I wasn't familiar with his work until I heard "The Guitar" on the radio. It gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. Great song, great lyrics.

Trite to say I know, but Guy Clark truly is a national treasure. I am grateful that he is still working at his craft, still writing songs, touring and producing new recordings. "Somedays.." is not among his very best efforts but it is fine work with a number of good songs and lots of good, relaxed musicianship. It is quiet, subdued - the product of someone who has seen a lot, done a lot, and knows a few things about what matters and what doesn't.

Guy Clark is a consistently impressive songwriter and he has been putting out amazing albums since the 70s. This latest effort is no different. Every song on "Somedays The Song Writes You" is a winner and Clark's rough, cigarette ravaged voice always accentuates the power of these songs.

I saw Guy Clark just about the time this cd was released in a small 60 seat club. He did all the songs found here and then took ALL the requests from the enthralled audience.Doesn't get better than that.
Nobody can tell a story with his music better than Guy. His first album, which I don't see listed here for sale spent decades on my turntable and his" Old Friends" cd has spent years in rotation on my cd player.
While this collection is short with a few near misses,its worth buying for "If I needed You"," All she wants is you"( one of his quintessential Guy Clark beauties) and " Maybe I can paint over that". At least put those 3 on your ipod.