Roadmaster

Artist: Gene Clark
Label: Edsel Records UK
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Format: Import
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1
EAN: 5014757171987
ASIN: B0000011SZ

Release Date: 1994-06-16

Roadmaster

Related Categories:

General

| Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters

| Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock

| Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock

| Rock | Styles | Music

General

| Rock | Styles | Music

Country Rock

| Rock | Styles | Music

General

| Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music

Contemporary

| Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music

Folk Rock

| Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Rock

| Imports | Stores | Music

Tracks:

She's The Kind Of Girl
One In A Hundred
Here Tonight
Full Circle Song
In A Misty Morning
Rough And Rocky
Roadmaster
I Really Don't Want To Know
I Remember The Railroad
She Don't Care About Time
Shooting Star

Similar Items:

White Light
No Other
The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark/Through the Morning, Through the Night
Flying High
So Rebellious a Lover

Album Description

Roadmaster is a collection of various Gene Clark recordings after leaving The Byrds, all the original Byrds are present on three tracks.

Customer Reviews:

Quality Cannot Be Denied........2007-05-21

Released in 1973 by A&M Holland and not released in the UK until 1986(and later sill in the US) this is essentialy an archival compilation of unissued studio material. Not perhaps the most promising of prospect but when Gene Clark is in the equation you learn to expect to find nuggets of gold in the most unlikely places.

The first two tracks(She's the Kind of Girl' and 'One In a Hundred')are Byrds backed(from a shelved 1970 album project)and would have been stand out tracks on any Byrds album.'One In a Hundred' appears on the 'White Light' album in a pared down form (which is very different but also excellent)and was actually recorded after this version.One can only echoe the thoughts voiced by others, what if he'd been allowed to remain with the Byrds?
'Here Tonight'(track 3) was recorded with the 'Flying Burrito Brothers'and is one one the sweetest and most instantly lovable melodies I've ever heard.It's followed by two more high quality Gene Clark originals 'Full Circle Song'(sequestered onto the Byrds reunion album with a slightly shortened title) and the fantastic 'In a Misty Morning' a country tinged gem.
To be honest the rest of the album doesn't quite match the first five songs (no disgrace in that) following on are a couple of pleasant covers and the title track itself, probably the least 'Gene Clark' song you could imagine; a rather basic R&B workout with lyrics to match("I'm a roadmaster baby and I spend my life on the road...").
The final three tracks feature are all Clark originals two of which are performed in a delicate country style and sandwich the track I was most intrigued to hear; a reworking of one of my favourite ever songs:'She don't Care About Time'.Sung at about half the speed of the original and with, as with most of the album, that country feel, I still prefer the original version but it certainly casts the song in a new light.

The packaging is a slight disappointment as it appears to be a poor reproduction of the vinyl sleeve.This is crying out for the 'remastered and expanded' treatment but since it is quite possible it might not even be available we shouldn't complain too loudly.

Overall I would say this is an essential purchase for any fan of Gene Clark and is good enough to satisfy the uninitiated looking to make a first purchase too (although 'White Light' and 'No Other' would probably rank ahead of it).Strongly recommended.

Not Gene's strongest, but still some good music to enjoy.......2007-03-06

When it comes to Gene Clark's music, I have pretty high standards--if you've listened to White Light, No Other, or The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard and Clark, you know just what magical, stellar songwriting and performing Clark was capable of. Listening to Roadmaster, which is somewhat of a collection of partially finished takes and outtakes rather than a complete, whole album, it's hard not to be disappointed and wonder why the album between White Light and No Other doesn't quite have the magic that the others do. Regardless, it's still Gene Clark, which means it's worthwhile if you're willing to give it your attention and a chance.

In a few ways, Roadmaster is a record of growth for Clark--there's some interesting experimentation with his arrangements and production, like the addition of flute on "She's The Kind of Girl," some interesting strings on the spaced-out "In A Misty Morning," and some great pedal steel that gives the music a sort of Bakersfield country-rock flavor that wasn't really there before, but would get pulled-off much more successfully in No Other. As usual, Clark's songwriting shines, with some great new tunes like the contemplative, mid-tempo "Full Circle Song," the mysterious "She Don't Care About Time," the cool vocal harmonies in "Here Tonight," and the aforementioned spacey "In A Misty Morning."

I really have to agree with Wayne Klein's review though, in saying that the production on Roadmaster doesn't really help the songs shine through. The mix sounds a bit flat, with nothing really standing out at any point. Probably the weakest quality is in the arrangements--most of the songs are really downbeat and quiet, with few moments of intensity or variation that make other Clark records stand out, making the album a bit lugubrious. Additionally, there are a few missteps with song selection--"Roadmaster" the song doesn't really live up to the quality of Clark's usual writing and the lyrics are kind of vapid, set to a stock blues rock tune. Likewise, "One In A Hundred" is vastly outshone by the version on White Light--I know he's backed by the Byrds on this one, but it sounds like that standard Byrds sound and lacks most of the aching, burning vitality present on White Light. I should add, too, that the sound of the CD reissue is good, but the liner notes are spare and leave a lot to be desired.

I have to stress, though, that these criticisms don't mean that Roadmaster isn't worth buying--there's plenty of good material to check out and keep you interested. Roadmaster is not the place to start getting into Gene Clark, though, and it certainly isn't one of his masterpieces. The fact that it holds together despite its ramshackle nature is indeed a testament to Gene's abilities at the time.

sublime..........2005-08-21

In a burned out basement back in 1986, bare-bulb ceiling and a fan in the window (as I recall it was an unusually hot summer, we sat mesmerized listening to Roadmaster. There is something haunting about Byron Berlin's fiddle as it weaves together Gene's smooth vocals... In a Misty Morning... Captivated, we spoke of Gene as a savior (though some would call him a slave). We drove endlessly through our memories and desires, capturing the occassional glimpse of the beauty of the cosmos offered in his voice. I have almost every song that Gene recorded (at least those which have been released), and still I return and find this recording, at once, as compelling as a stranger's smile, and as close as my own thought. Gene was a mystic for he speaks directly to our soul.

Strong collection of Clark's work.......2005-08-03

Listening to this disc, it's hard to believe these are a group of outtakes. The songs, overall, are strong and some of Clark's best. The original members of the Byrds backed Clark on two songs, while assorted members of the Flying Burrito Brothers backed him on several other songs.

I prefer the sound of "Roadmaster" to the sparse and acoustic "White Light," but others may disagree. Both have stand-out tracks. The title track itself is a slow bluesy rocker, which feels out of place and is the weakest on the disc. Also, Clark may have felt the need to re-make the classic Byrd song "She Don't Care About Time," but the re-make can't match the Byrds version.

Despite these two drawbacks, the rest of the album is wonderful. Songs such as "Full Circle Song," "I Remember the Railroad," and "Shooting Star" are some of the best Clark ever wrote. For these three songs alone, it's hard to fathom that this album wasn't even released in the U.S. Of all of Clark's albums, this one has some songs that could have been hits. Thankfully, Clark's discography is being re-evaluated and re-discovered. For Gene Clark fans, this is an essential disc.

Uneven but fascinating follow up to "White Light" .......2005-04-17

While called "Roadmaster" this wasn't the album that Gene Clark had intended to release after "White Light" (aka "Gene Clark"). The "Roadmaster" sessions collapsed admit chaos due to drugs. Evidently Sly Stone came in while Gene wasn't working on the album and ran up the tab in the same studio (with Gene's producer at the helm)causing the project to go overbudget (food and drugs contributed to that) and A&M ultimately cancelled the album sessions.

Music Album:

Music Album

Music Album

Music CD

The Very Best of Keiko Matsui ~ Keiko Matsui

Jelly Roll Morton:Complete Victor Recordings ~ Jelly Roll Morton

Everything Will Be Allright ~ Jakob Dineson, Kurt Rosenwinkel

20 Beat Classics

Sunburst ~ Ron McClure

Story of Jazz Piano ~ Various Artists

Wenn Schon Nicht Für Immer Dann Wenigstens Für Ewig ~ Ulla Meinecke

Concert in Ireland ~ Various Artists

Brava ~ Brava

To Pedime Tin Kerea ~ Katerina Kirmizi