William Clarke was the new harmonica genius for the millennium when his heart gave out on tour in 1996 and he passed away at age 45. This Deluxe Edition brings together 16 tracks culled primarily from his four Alligator albums along with three previously unreleased tracks from sessions conducted in 1986 and 1995, every track a winner. Clarke's tone is massive and only outdone by the wealth of ideas he constantly poured into his instrument. While others were still trying to imitate {$Little Walte   [ read more ]

CD $17.08

His follow-up to Blowin' Like Hell burns with a ferocious intensity, particularly for his groundbreaking work on chromatic harp and his ability to cover all styles with remarkable elan. Again, he wrote most of the songs, and "Pawnshop Bound," "Trying to Stretch My Money," and "With a Tear in My Eye" are real songs. Instrumentals like "Chasin' the Gator" feature Clarke with Alex Schultz on lead guitar. ~ Cub Koda and Michael Erlewine, All Music Guide

CD $11.38

Here is Clarke, hot again. This time he has added a horn section on some of the cuts here. No problem. Alex Schultz is here on lead guitar to make sure that this album rocks, while Clarke once again writes most of the songs -- all 15 fat tracks. By this time, his Alligator albums have a style and feel all his own that one looks forward to. Plenty of high-impact amplified chromatic harmonica here of the push-the-band-hard variety that Clarke does so well, plus some tasty acoustic thrown in, to   [ read more ]

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The title says it all. William Clarke cooks on Blowin' Like Hell, his first CD. And these are new sounds. Songs like "Lollipop Mama," "Gambling for My Bread," and "Lonesome Bedroom Blues" (all written by Clarke) are just great tunes. "Must Be Jelly" won Clarke a W.C. Handy Award for blues song of the year in 1991. You'll find yourself humming them. Clarke's timing and music are right on the money, with the great Alex Schultz on lead guitar. There is no doubt that {$Clarke   [ read more ]

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His fourth CD from Alligator is his jazziest and bluesist recording to date. Clarke has written half of the compositions and put his own sound and style on those he did not write. Highlights include "The Boss" (inspired by saxophonist Willis Jackson) which is a fast jump that finds chromatic harp riffing along with a horn section -- some interesting ideas. Other tunes are the Benny Moten tune "Moten Swing," "My Mind is Working Overtime," (a Latin-tinged tune written by Clarke), and "Letter fr   [ read more ]

CD $11.38