REVIEW - CD - Clarence Spady
VT
Bluescope Music.
Note: this is an independently produced and issued CD (notes on how to
get this CD are at the end of this review)
Commercial live recordings are a mixed bag in terms of success - I
think the problem is everyone's preoccupation in "perfection" - the
artist feels they have to have a "perfect performance" and recording
engineer wants to capture "perfect" sound etc. Fine ambitions - but
almost impossible to attain, and not exactly conducive to a good
recording - perhaps that's why tapers will tell you they have
recording that surpasses any commercial live recordings and why people
like George Clinton of P-Funk have officially issued non-commercially
produced live recordings - "bootlegs".
We have an exceptional recording here - I really think you will get
the essence of a Clarence Spady live gig.
How was this achieved? Well it's a long story.........
It's a mixture of good production and obviously great performance and
simple recording equipment/set up.
The gig was billed as a live recording but it was held at Clarence's
regular local gig Grico's River Street Jazz Cafi, in Wilkes Barre, PA
on January 22, 1999. I was there.
Clarence decided to use two drummers - Tony Wilson his regular road
drummer, and Shorty Parham - his long time drummer friend, Shorty is
also on Clarence's previous CD of over 3 years ago.
The very talented Mark Hamza - on the Hammond A-100 organ - and foot
bass pedals (that's right, Mark plays both the keyboards and the
"bass"). Mark really helped to define the unique sound of the band.
His contribution cannot be underestimated.
Tommy Hamilton on tenor sax (also on the last album) provides another
lead voice as a foil for Clarence that brings out great solos from
both.
The place was full of regular fans, friends and family. This is a
two-edged sword - it can build unwanted stress, but it could also
bring out the best in the artist.
It was not surprising that the everyone was uptight and stressed, and
it showed in the first two sets - yes of course there were spots of
brilliance here and there but they were just too wound up.
Third set - it was like Clarence had either decided that the gig was a
wash or just decide to be himself and play - either way it was like a
different person and that affected the whole band - the third set
fulfilled even the highest expectations
The starting number of that third set - set the scene. It was a pure
improvisation invented right there on the spot. I've followed
Clarence for 3 years and had never heard him do this number before.
Starts with a slow and subdued groove and builds tension until they
are really burning/grooving. This became track #5 titled "Let's Get
it On" - but the producer cut the track to come in about half way -
that's why you'll hear the track as a jump into immediate up tempo
groove, what you have missing is the 3 minute build up to that point.
But nevertheless you'll hear how good this is.
This is followed by "Addition Game" a very personal song for Clarence
and you can feel the tension and his outpouring - this is for real - I
was there listening, and it comes across really well on this
recording. Both these numbers had Shorty on drums.
(and JFYI - that's VT's cheapo white Strat he's playing on both the
preceding numbers......)
Scott Goldman - Clarence's manager/friend and producer of the CD very
wisely put some of Clarence's conversations on to this recording - so
you can hear the warm of his greeting and the audience's response to
him.
The first track after the warm greeting on this CD is a new original.
Most live recording are either of covers, or performances of already
issued originals. Very few artists debut new originals on live
recordings - yet there are no less than 6 new originals on this CD and
they are each and everyone string numbers and not some throwaways.
That makes a huge difference and shows the self-confidence.
"Won't Sell You Out" is a real winner - with fabulous lyrics. The
tune starts off to my ears dragging a bit - I think Tony's kick drums
are falling behind the beat - but when Clarence does his guitar solo -
you really hear him burn. This song was from one of the earlier sets
where everyone was tight. I think Clarence was making up for the
slightly shaky start - be that as it may - this is hell of a great
solo matched by some really great lyrics.
"Cut Them Loose" - Clarence does this song several ways - I have heard
him do this featuring second-line drumming. Tonight it's a modern
funky rhythm and Tony's smack rim-shot is great, hear the pop as he
hits it, and feel the overall groove of this one.
"Jones Falls Expressway" an original instrumental and it really rocks
out, propelled by the whole band you can hear how they all interact
and respond to each other. If the highway patrol stops you - play this
track - to explain how your old Hyundai managed to do 130 mph.
Of the cover tunes:
"Before You Accuse Me" the Elias McDaniel song (Mr. Bo Diddley to you)
done more to the arrangement of Eric Clapton. But this is Clarence's
take on a well known song - and he involves the audience in a call and
response - always a popular number - and now you can hear why.
"C'est La Vie" - has a really attractive hook and is done somewhat in
the artist-formerly-known-as-Prince style. It really grooves
"Hey Joe" - Clarence's tribute to Jimi and he is not a slavish
imitation - listen to the fire on this extended version.
"Picture of Love" one of his best numbers from the previous CD - this
is a really great performance - calling up all the experience and
constant playing of this song for over 3 years - you can hear how he
has added maturity and confidence to this.
"Pick Me Up" - closes the album with Shorty back on drums and
augmenting on vocals
a beautiful and gentle closer to this very good live CD.
Yes, of course I have heard better overall performances than this gig.
But individually, all the tracks used from over 3 hours of recording
are very worthwhile and it has been put together well, with thoughtful
inclusion of some talking - so that this feel like a really good and
warm gig. Which in the end - all things considering - this CD shows
well.
From Scott Goldman on how to get this CD:
As of now the CD is available by mail order at following sources and
must be payable by money order only;
payable to: Scott Goldman
239 Wyoming Ave
Scranton, Pa. 18503
$16.50 includes shipping and handling
payable to: Rob Friedman
1321 Wyoming Ave
Exeter, Pa. 18643
$16.50 includes shipping and handling
Also available at: River Street Jazz Cafe
667 N. River Street
Plains, Pa. 18705
and: All Clarence Spady Band performances
(Note: the official Clarence Spady Website is scheduled for November
'99 debut).
--
Vincent
vtVi...@Prodigy.Net
VT
On 14 Sep 1999 13:21:26 -0700, vtVi...@PRODIGY.NET (VT) wrote:
>THE CLARENCE SPADY BAND - "LIVE at Grico's River Street Jazz Cafi" -
>Bluescope Music.
>
<snip>
>The gig was billed as a live recording but it was held at Clarence's
>regular local gig Grico's River Street Jazz Cafi, in Wilkes Barre, PA
>on January 22, 1999. I was there.
>
Cafi? That's meant to be Cafe - MS Word was smart enough to
automatically put the accent over the "e" when I wrote this and passed
the spellcheck - but when I saved it as a Text Only file - I guess
Word thought that should be an "i".
>This is followed by "Addition Game" a very personal song for Clarence
Er- Sorry Clarence is not adding an extension to his house, or adding
to his family - that's supposed to be "Addi_C_tion Game" - my typo -
and the spellcheck obviously would not pick it up since "addition" is
a valid word........
I'll have to speak to Clarence about his arithmetic and accounting
though :-)
> "Pick Me Up" - closes the album with Shorty back on drums and
>augmenting on vocals
Scott Goldman wrote to me to tell me that Shorty was mis-credited as
playing drums on this - he did sing, but it is Tony Wilson on drums
for this track.
Sorry for these mistakes.
Bluesagent
are very worthwhile and it has been put together well, with thoughtful
inclusion of some talking - so that this feel like a really good and
warm gig. >>
Vincent,
Got a chance to hear an advance copy of this CD a few months ago. Have been
anxiously awaiting it's release. Getting the checkbook out now, and advise the
rest of you to do the same.
Rita
I ain't lyin'!--Albert King
please visit us at http://members.aol.com/bluesagent/index.html
Bluesagent
From Scott Goldman on how to get this CD:
As of now the CD is available by mail order at following sources and
must be payable by money order only;
payable to: Scott Goldman
239 Wyoming Ave
Scranton, Pa. 18503
$16.50 includes shipping and handling
>>
Charlie-new LIVE Clarence Spady...
Scott is his manager. Thought you might want to contact him RE: wholesale
I have his email address.