Guy Clark is a Texas legend, associated with other well-known artists such as Townes Van Zandt, Rodney Crowell. He is also a member of The Songwriters Hall of Fame. "Songs and Stories" was recorded live at The Belcourt Theatre in Nashville. Clark was supported by close friends Verlon Thompson, Shawn Camp, Bryn Davies, and Kenny Malone. This intimate scene created a fireside concert filled with great acoustic music and several laughs.
Opening with his classic L.A. Freeway, the mood is established right away. Clark takes a moment during this song to explain the background behind the landlord and his experience with a grapefruit tree. It is this sort of background that feeds Clarks mind, and it is very entertaining to hear where this song was formed.
He follows with Maybe I Can Paint Over That, before doing the lone cover, Van Zandt's touching If I Needed You. Clark shares a story about Van Zandt, which truly shows how close these two were.
Clark continues cutting through more of his well-known songs, including The Cape and the humorous Home Grown Tomatoes before turning the stage over to his capable friends. Camp does a great job with two songs he co-wrote with Clark, Sis Draper and Magnolia Wind, telling a bit of background behind each. Thompson shares humor and two songs as well.
Clark once again steps up and finishes off with four more powerful songs including Stuff That Works, which he co-wrote with Crowell, along with his classic Out In The Parking Lot, before sharing his touching tribute to his father, The Randall Knife.
Only flaw with this record is he could not fit Desperadoes Waiting For A Train onto it. That would have been perfection, but this is still a masterpiece.
Country News
