The title says it all.
William Clarke cooks on
Blowin' Like Hell, his first CD. And these are new sounds. Songs like "Lollipop Mama," "Gambling for My Bread," and "Lonesome Bedroom Blues" (all written by
Clarke) are just great tunes. "Must Be Jelly" won
Clarke a
W.C. Handy Award for blues song of the year in 1991. You'll find yourself humming them.
Clarke's timing and music are right on the money, with the great Alex Schultz on lead guitar. There is no doubt that
Clarke is one of the few modern bluesmen who are exploring and extending the amplified blues harp tradition without violating any of its principles. No one plays chromatic blues harp with this kind of passion and sheer conviction. Hear for yourself. ~ Michael Erlewine