SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: ROB CLARKE – BLUES BEATS AND BREL

ROB CLARKE
BLUES BEATS AND BREL
ALDORA BRITAIN RECORDS

Rob Clarke has been releasing music for quite a while now, and his songs have served as soundtracks for television shows and movies. Stepping away from his band, The Wooltones, for this album, he has delivered a reflective solo album. He is a unique talent who is never afraid to push himself into sometimes unfamiliar areas and as a result, he has created a lot of diverse and interesting music. Blues Beats And Brel is his latest offering, and it is pretty much a totally solo endeavor (with some help from Fran Ashcroft and Jo Powell). As the title suggests this album pays tribute to the blues, beat poets, and Jacques Brel. Quite a lot to do on one album, but Clarke pulls it off.

Using just his acoustic guitar (at times augmented with his electric), Clarke takes the listener on a journey. Much like fellow Liverpool musician John Jenkins, Clarke writes from the heart and produces heartfelt (and at times heartbreaking) music.  “Even The Good” is a great example of his talent. With some very tasteful accordion from Jo Powell, Clarke sings “our dreams are so near and but so far away.” He continues, “Good times are all you remember, not the bad times”. This is a beautiful sentiment, but with the acoustic guitar, his emotional voice, and the subtle use of accordion, it nearly breaks your heart. The sparse arrangement is perfect, and it does evoke a great deal of emotion.

However, later, there is a wonderful blues tinged “What A Commotion”, which is a brilliant political statement but done with a little humour. And yet, it is the blues, with some nice harmonica thrown in for good measure. Then there is a short, solid rocker, “My Kind Of” which also brings out the beat poet in him. It is a brilliant little burst of energy and is slightly reminiscent of It’s Immaterial (also from Liverpool).  However, it is pure Clarke and an absolute treat. Then Brel raises his head during the melodic and moving “Tik Tok”. This is another song that tugs at the heartstrings.

The album ends with “My Old Banjo”, which brings the listener full circle. The album opens with the blues (“She’s A Mean”) and ends with this wonderful blues. Again, a little humour and to hear the blues on a banjo is a real treat.

Clarke is a true original. Although he is tipping his hat in the direction of the three Bs influences (blues, beat and Brel), he makes it all his own. He can bring a smile and A tear to the listener, sometimes in the same song. And his singing with sparse arrangements makes the album a pure joy. Blues Beats And Brel is the kind of album that invites the listener to multiple spins on the turntable. The album also serves as a wonderful introduction to the artist and will send one deep into a rabbit hole of his music.

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