Comments on: Nashville West “Nashville West”

By: Len Liechti

Len Liechti — Fri, 04 May 2012 10:21:32 +0000

Just exhumed this one after a long period and felt compelled to write some more about it. On this set, unfettered by the need for restraint that was paramount in the studio, especially on sessions for other artists, Clarence here simply gives it everything he’s got, and then some. Yes, he overplays hugely most of the time, but in the context of a live gig in a small bar that’s entirely forgivable, and turns out to be a bonus for students of his technique because as far as I know it’s the only recording on which the full extent of his electric guitar talents can be enjoyed. I’ve listened to just about all of Clarence’s electric guitar studio sessions, most especially the latterday Byrds albums and Tuff & Stringy: Sessions 1966-68, the fine collection of rare singles by forgotten country singers and occasional instrumentals recorded under his own name, and, not to undervalue the understated brilliance of his contributions to these, there’s nowhere else that the full impact of his genius can be appreciated other than on the present live set.
The ironic thing about this album is that the sound quality is so good – despite being recorded on Gene Parsons’s domestic quarter-inch reel-to-reel – that if it wasn’t for the occasional playing fluffs and the Clarence-heavy balance you’d think it was a studio recording. Including a bit of audience reaction after each song would have helped, but it’s my guess that these songs were played to six men and a dog while the bar staff nodded off. If I could have been there . . . I did in fact get to see Clarence with the Byrds at the Shepton Mallet (Bath) Festival in 1970, but due to heavy rain and the inadequate stage protection of the times the Byrds chose to do an all-acoustic set to avoid possible electrocution, and Clarence’s Telecaster stayed in its case. Shame.
Finally, as you listen to this album and Clarence’s pedal steel impersonations and bent harmonics, remember that it was cut before the B-Bender was devised by him and Gene. How did the guy manage to do so much with so little? They say that the greatest tribute paid to Hendrix’s technique is that guys are still trying to figure out how he got the sounds he did. I’m still trying to do this for Clarence.

By: Jason

Jason — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 01:53:39 +0000

Muleskinner is also great!

By: Nick

Nick — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:57:51 +0000

Clarence became a two month long obsession after reading an article on him in fretboard journal. Check it out. It’s difficult to really peg down what album best exemplifies his virtuosity. He was as innovative on the acoustic as he was on the tele. Crosspicking v. B-bender. He even played with Andy Griffith (see you tube). I don’t know how to recommed one Clarence white album other than to recommend them all, and there not that many. Plus Sierra records sells them at a discount. It’s a find online. Also check out Clarence white tab fr his bro rioland’s web site.

By: Len Liechti

Len Liechti — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:19:56 +0000

Oh my, how Clarence was, and is, THE country rock guitar man, sans pareil. You can hear how he was working toward the B-Bender sound, even without the extra hardware, particularly on the “CC Rider” solo with its split harmonics. I can even forgive him those hairstyles! From that mid-60s Little Richard pompadour to the French Poodle cut with the Byrds . . . I can also recommend very highly “Tuff & Stringy”, the Ace Records compilation of Clarence’s studio sessions backing a plethora of different vocalists between 1966 and 1969 when he joined the Byrds, and also including a handful of rare instrumental tracks recorded under his own name. This is about as close as you’ll get to the Clarence White solo album that never was.

By: indierocker

indierocker — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 08:11:46 +0000

oh my god, i have never heard of approx 90% of the artists you mention!!!
cool blog anyway!!!

By: Brendan

Brendan — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 05:37:39 +0000

Good call @Peter. Clarence is just so in the zone, all feel. This is really soulful guitar work from one of the masters of technique AND style. And yeah, the group has that welcome rough edge.

But do you have to be a guitar player to really love this one?

By: Peter

Peter — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:56:44 +0000

I received this album as a promo while working at Tower Records in 2001 (maybe 2002). Not knowing anything about the band, I gave the disc a spin at my work space and felt an immediate attraction to the performances. Familiar songs but fresh interpretations. Since acquiring my copy, Nashville West has ranked as one of the more outstanding country rock albums in my collection. There is an earthiness here I find lacking in such name brands as Gram Parsons.

By: Brendan

Brendan — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:17:26 +0000

Sorry, changed the links to mp3.

By: martin

martin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:58:18 +0000

Hi, when I right click these to save they are saying mp4, i’m confused.