Rita X Wolf is a writer, critic, art aficionado and my facebook friend who answered the call for five songs she was listening to right the moment I requested it. “I just attended a Gene Clark (70th birthday) Byrds (50th anniversary show) so…” Rita wrote and when she wrote it I was in the process of listening to a deluxe Gene album myself and so more than in the mood to listen to Clark. Oh, the joys of what other people are listening to:
1. Eight Miles High – The Byrds – Ah yes, psychedelic folk with chiming guitars and disjointed self absorbed vocals as the trip takes over.It sounds dated the way 5th dimension does but Sweetheart Of The Rodeo doesn’t, the moral being country is timeless – B+
2. Silver Raven – Gene Clark – We have a word for this today, Americana. A folk country mash with a lovely acoustic guitar lick and a haunting mythic storyline – an undoubted masterful Clark song – B+
3. I Feel A Whole Better – The Byrds – The legend doesn’t begin here, it begins one song before, but without this track where is Tom Petty? Taking off from George Harrison and ending up here is a small step from man but a giant leap for folk, pop, rock… you name it, Gene wrote it – A+
4. Gypsy Rider -Gene Clark – It has something of the wild gypsy about it but in that folkie quiet guy way Gene does so well – B+
5. Here Without You – The Byrds – Still on Mr. Tambourine Man, and not a personal fave but on an album this great we will take the bluesiness as coming wuith the territory – B+
