William Clarke – Live Bootleg Cassette Anthology – Watchdog Records WD 1011

This 12-track “live” collection released in 2010 finds the man who set the standard for modern-day blues harmonica, before his untimely death in 1996, in exhilarating form.  In fact, three of the cuts found here were recorded during Clarke’s final 1996 tour.  Backing Clarke on these exciting outings are a veritable “cream of the crop” blues assemblage including Rick Reed and Willie Brinlee providing the low-end bass chores, Braian Fahey and Lee Campbell ideally forming the percussion frameworks, and the trio of Paul Bryant, Zach Zunis, and Rick Holmstrom weaving stunning guitar inventions.

And front-and-center is Clarke with his always-muscular vocals and continually-imaginative, blistering harmonica efforts, yet again living up to the hype that preceded him as a true sensation of contemporary blues.  Clarke could rightfully be said to have the “leather lunged” signature that is often applied when referring to blues harmonica titan James Cotton, as one has to wonder how the humble harmonica held together under his relentless and powerful attack.

Wherever the venue a cut on this collection hails from, it is without a doubt that Clarke and his crews always brought a party with them; listen to the audiences and their rabid appreciation for the blues being extended!

Years ago, while sitting in awe of Clarke’s collective skills in a South Bend, Indiana blues venue, I remember thinking that the present-day blues harmonica realm was in fine hands.  His talent stature was overwhelming in very much all the right ways.

Pick this one up, play it loud, and realize that for a time, Clarke proved to the world that his sterling brand of blues was alive, quite well, and continuing the finest of one of the blues traditions forward.  That brand was authentic, respectful, commanding, and stunning.

Highly-recommended!