Gene Clark

Gene Clark was one of the most gifted singers and songwriters of his generation, but bad luck and self-destructive habits followed him like a shadow, and it seemed sadly appropriate that he died in the spring of 1991 as he was working on a follow-up to the biggest success of his solo career, So Rebellious a Lover, his 1987 collaboration with Carla Olson of the Textones. Clark's poor health (aggravated by drinking) and fear of flying prevented a full-scale tour in support of So Rebellious a Lover, but he played scattered live dates after its release, and In Concert gathers recordings from shows Clark gave in late 1988 and early 1990. Disc one features seven songs Clark performed on the radio series Mountain Stage; the announcer opens the set by informing the audience that Clark was unable to rehearse with the show's house band due to his flight arriving late, but Clark delivers strong and passionate solo acoustic interpretations of five numbers (including the masterful "Tried So Hard") and later sits in with the band for two songs, with the musicians lending subtle but effective support. The disc closes out with three rehearsal recordings with Olson taped at Clark's home; the fidelity is fair at best, but the harmonies are strong and the music heartfelt, if casual. Disc two is devoted to a concert Clark and Olson played at McCabe's Guitar Shop in Santa Monica, which was previously released in the U.K. as Silhouetted in Light. The show is intimate, with Clark and Olson joined only by guitarist Duane Jarvis and bassist David Provost, whose accompaniment is fine but spare. Clark is in splendid voice for this show, and he delivers a set that spans the length of his career, from the Byrds to So Rebellious a Lover, with a few well-chosen covers thrown in; Olson remains in the background much of the time, but she's there when the music needs her, and her presence is an immeasurable asset to this performance. It's not difficult to emphasize the failures of Gene Clark's career rather than his successes, but this set makes the case that regardless of the size of his audience (or his salary), Clark made beautiful and truly individual music, and In Concert preserves two evenings in which he gave his all to his listeners. ~ Mark Deming, All Music Guide