The William Clarke Band– Tip Of The Top – Watch Dog Records Records WDR1014

William Clarke was an inspiration to many when he burst upon the national scene with his four collections on Chicago’s Alligator Records in 1990, 1992, 1994, and 1996 (ultimately culminating in one of the label’s “best of” “Deluxe Editions” in 1999).  The term “force of nature” gets easily thrown around, but Clarke’s muscular efforts on both the diatonic and chromatic harmonicas, his powerful vocals, and commanding stage presence, usually in dark sunglasses and a full suit, presented to blues fans the undeniable impression a bluesman whose broad skill set and demeanor meant that he was not going to take any prisoners, as they say, when he hit the stage or recorded his blues visions.

Hailing from Inglewood, California, Clarke early-on in his teens was bitten by the blues bug and was able to establish acquaintances with blues titans such as harmonica player and vocalist Shakey Jake Harris, vocalist and harmonicist Big Mama Thornton,  saxophonist and singer Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, blues shouter Big Joe Turner, blues guitar legend T-Bone Walker, west coast guitarists and vocalists Pee Wee Crayton and Lowell Fulson, plus the man who would forever shape his blues framework, harmonica giant and vocalist George “Harmonica” Smith.  With Smith, Clarke was guided and mentored into the nuances of blues harmonica and the blues world, and they played and recorded jointly for a seven-year period from 1977-1983, 1983 being the year of Smith’s death.

In the 11-year period of 1978-1988, Clarke prolifically recorded, culminating in five total outings that were self-produced, while also playing on the collections of west coast artists such as singer Long Gone Miles and guitarist and singer Smokey Wilson.

Originally released on Satch Records in 1987, this 2011 reissue, in no veiled context, is an open homage to George Smith, indeed including a stirring rendition of Smith’s “Hard Times”, a song that includes Smith and his astounding talents. 

However, the beauty of this outing, at least to this reviewer, is that it finally culminates in the “William Clarke sound” that came to be known via his later Alligator Records collections.  Found here are Clarke’s beefy, full-throated harmonica excursions, his naturally swinging swagger that infused all he did, his vocal confidence, and his framing of songs; to this point, it stood as the pinnacle of his recorded work.

Surrounding Clarke on this package are the cream of the west coast blues sound, artists who highly identified with Clarke’s musical visions, and who ideally melded within his conceptualizations.  We find no less than west coast guitar legend Hollywood Fats plying his bountiful artistry, blues guitar ace Ronnie Earl, the always awe-inspiring blues guitar genius Jr. Watson, the fantastic Fred Kaplan offering his broad piano and guitar proficiencies, with blues harmonica supermen George Smith and Charlie Musselwhite submitting their respective expansive blues harmonica competencies. 

Further, the astounding Joel Foy lends his considerable guitar chops, as does the under-recognized Bruce Thorpe.  Steve Killman also makes an appearance on guitar, availing himself well.  If that all weren’t enough, bass men of high merit Willie Brinlee and Bill Stuve are along for this tremendous ride, while west coast piano master Rob Rio is here, as is the talented Jerry Monte on drums.

While the breadth of supporting talent on this collection is astounding, the focus here is Clarke and his coalescing influences coming together to produce his unmistakable blues framework, one that allowed him to be recognized as one of the shining stars on the time’s contemporary blues scene.

Clarke left us way too early in 1996 at the age of 45, but this excellent collection reminds all of the staggering blues visions and aptitudes that William Clarke possessed.

Highly recommended!