Mick Clarke – Relentless Boogie. 2022

Online release on Rockfold Records.

55 mins CD release on BGO Records.

Genre Blues, Blues Rock.

Mick Clarke – British Blues Rock Guitar

https://www.mickclarke.com/

ttps://www.facebook.com/mickclarkeband

Rating 80/100

As a young teenager of around sixteen, I was given an album by Chet Atkins, an album which totally knocked me out and, kind of, set me on a road of electric guitar appreciation. And although this musical highway of mine has followed a distinctly British led progressive rock and blues route I will never forget the impact that Chet Atkins album had on me. Therefore when I picked up Mick Clarke’s 13 track album titled ‘Relentless Highway’ I was overawed with an overabundance of sheer audio delight, absolutely in the same manner that the early Chet album had on me.

Mick Clarke is a dexterous and naturally gifted musician who has shared his talents with many other top named musicians and bands particularly notable being his association with’ Killing Floor’ and SALT. In 1983 he formed the ‘Mick Clarke Band’ mostly treading the boards around London and releasing seven albums up to and including 1994 the tack lists of which included a high percentage of their own compositions

According to Mick Clarke ‘Relentless Boogie’ is a compilation of tracks released online throughout 2021 as EPs and singles, plus one brand new track, Elmore James’ ‘Cry For Me’. The style is blues and rock blues as I have learned it over the last 52 years or so. Guitar led, with a basic but hopefully powerful rhythm section and a little keyboard to add flavour. Six original compositions, along with my versions of some blues standards.

It is in its entirety a wonderful collection of cracking blues standards married together with half a dozen new and original compositions. The distinguishing factor, above all else, is that whilst the music is seemingly very accessible, that is from an easy listening perspective, it is in effect the work of a guitar master riddled with sublime guitar fingering and chord progressive tricks. A collection of high energy guitar extravaganza that does exactly what it says on the can; 55mins of energetic, no holds barred, ‘Relentless Boogie’ the title certainly sums it up.

Summary: It is an album purpose made to break up the monotony of that lengthy car journey, a set of songs to gladden the heart with catchy hooks, excellent guitar spun blues and superb vocals. 55 minutes of unadulterated blues boogie to enjoy and savour.

CD Track Listing: