Deep in the Heart

W. C. Clark

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 29, 2004)
• Original Release Date: June 29, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Alligator Records
• ASIN: B00029RTEE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #186,841 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

With this rollicking collection, Austin veteran W.C. Clark again proves that Memphis doesn't have a monopoly on gospel-drenched soul-blues. Meshing Al Green's gospel testifying and Albert King's quicksilver guitar, Clark--a Texas legend in part because of his association-mentorship with a young Stevie Ray Vaughan--skillfully navigates this gutsy R&B terrain with a tough yet tender hand. Fueled by Stax-styled horn arrangements, Clark cranks out jump-blues guitar acrobatics on tracks like Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown's signature instrumental "Okie Dokee Stomp." On stunning covers of John Hiatt's slow-boil "Tip of My Tongue," Dan Penn's classic "You Left the Water Running," Joe Tex's "I Want to Do Everything for You," and the Fabulous Thunderbirds' "Twist of the Knife," Clark excels with emotionally electrifying vocals and a dynamic delivery that makes these songs his own. --Hal Horowitz

Product Description

DEEP IN THE HEART, is another slice of stunning soul mixed with contemporary electric blues. Clark’s gospel-inflected vocals and inspired, lyrical guitar work dominate the album, which was recorded in Austin and produced by Mark "Kaz" Kazanoff. From wrenching, heartfelt ballads to celebratory, horn-fueled Texas stomps, DEEP IN THE HEART is a blistering ride through sinewy Memphis soul and foot-stomping Texas roadhouse blues. With the addition of friends Marcia Ball and newcomer Ruthie Foster duetting on three songs, DEEP IN THE HEART is the most fully realized and soulfully intense album of Clark’s long career.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deep in the Heart - WC Clark's best work yet, July 11, 2004

By A Customer

While I loved WC's previous two releases (From Austin with Soul, and Lover's Plea), there is a special quality about Deep in the Heart that separates it from his previous work. WC has long been an outstanding live performer, but he has clearly grown as a recording artist.

Deep in the Heart seems to pay homage to all of his numerous musical influences. Soul, Blues, Gospel and Jazz appear throughout, sometimes all at once. On "Promises",(written by WC) all of the above are woven together beautifully in what may be his best original tune. Other particulary great cuts include "Stronger Than You Need to Be" and "You Left the Water Running".

WC is a great guitar player doesn't need to impress with acrobatic guitar work. There are flashes of blistering guitar leads, but most of his guitar work here is cool, subtle and exremely expressive.

At 64 years old, Deep in the Heart displays the musical wisdom and depth of a lifetime of work. If there is any justice in this world, some of these tunes will get radio airplay and WC CLark will get the widespread recognition he so richly deserves.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Slice Of Great Memphis Soul & Texas Blues, July 3, 2004

By	SoulBluesMusic "www.soulbluesmusic.com" (Deep South) - See all my reviews

The man just oozes class. With a voice like Al Green and with Stevie Ray Vaughan guitar fingers (or actually the other way around as SRV was influced by WC) W.C. Clark just makes any track sound good. On his latest Alligator release he serves up 14 tracks of soulful blues like only he can. The head-bobbing opener "Stronger Than You Need To Be" and the snappy cover "You Left The Water Running" are pure radio-deserving Memphis soul music. While the Texas shuffle "Cold Blooded Lover" and slow blues "My Texas Home (both Clark originals) should saturate blues stations across the country. All cuts on this set are keepers like his fabulous take on John Hiatt's "Tip Of My Tongue", the rockin' blues "Jaded Lady" and classic "I Didn't Know The Meaning Of Pain". Guests include Marcia Ball ("You Left The Water Running", "Soul Kind Of Loving") and Ruthie Foster ("I Want To Do Everything For You"). Start polishing a W.C. Handy award now for Mr. Clark.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An authentic soul-blues album, April 2, 2006

By	Tim Holek - See all my reviews

W.C. Clark
Deep In The Heart Alligator

In the guitar-slinging saturated blues market, it is a pleasure to encounter vocalist/guitarist Wesley Curley Clark. This expressive artist is all about the music. He is one of Alligator's best recent finds. His second `gator disc was produced by Mark Kazanoff. Expect pumping horn arrangements that are lively and exceptional. Austin's finest musicians accompany W.C. for 55 joyful minutes. The 14 tracks are mostly covers although Clark provides authorship on three numbers. All songs perfectly complement his happy and glad to be alive attitude. Wisdom-filled lyrics instruct you to live a more fulfilling life.

Be sure to catch the brilliant vocal duet with Marcia Ball on "You Left The Water Running". "Tip Of My Tongue" is a romantic ballad sung like someone who has experienced the same challenges presented in the lyrics. Although the album was recorded in Austin, "I Didn't Know The Meaning Of Pain" sounds like it was created on Memphis' McLemore Avenue. I didn't know they still made authentic soul-blues albums. Austin's optimistic W.C. is definitely an endangered species and the last of a rare breed. Deep in the heart of Texas lives W.C. Clark. The music from this CD will live in the hearts of its listeners.

-- Tim Holek