Tip of the Top is a loose tribute to
William Clarke's mentor,
George Harmonica Smith, who taught
Clarke many of his tricks.
Clarke plays a selection of tracks that were staples in
Smith's catalog (including a version of "Hard Times," which features
Smith himself), as well as newer songs written in the same style. But what really makes
Tip of the Top notable is how
William Clarke begins to develop his distinctive, idiosyncratic sound on the record. Unlike his debut Can't You Hear Me Calling,
Tip of the Top explores some new sounds, which would come to fruition in his next few albums. ~ Thom Owens