Post by Gilby Admirer on Dec 3, 2013 5:16:08 GMT -5
whatculture.com/music/5-gilby-clarke-tracks-need-hear.php
Best known as the replacement guitarist for Guns N’ Roses founding member Izzy Stradlin; Gilby Clarke joined “the most dangerous band in the world” in May 1991 – just ten days shy of a sold out performance in New York’s Madison Square Garden. A talented guitarist in his own right he toured with the band for the entirety of their mammoth ‘Use Your Illusion’ World Tour as well as contributing his talents to Guns N’ Roses 1993 album ‘The Spaghetti Incident’
In 1994 Clarke launched his own solo album through Virgin Records entitled ‘Pawnshop Guitars’, arguably getting such big label interest for his first solo record because of the exposure earned in GNR, which also came to an abrupt end in the same year when he was fired from the band. Guns N’ Roses suffered their own internal, and well documented, implosions while Clarke remained on good terms with Slash and Duff McKagan, contributing to the former’s 1995 Slash’s Snakepit solo release.
Since going solo Clarke has released 7 full length studio albums and worked with artists as diverse as Tracii Guns, Nancy Sinatra and Tommy Lee. On this list we’d like to pay tribute to the guitarist’s talents by giving you a selection of five numbers you may have never heard before – but by the end of which you’ll never be able to get out of your head again.
5. Wasn’t Yesterday Great
Original Album: The Hangover
Year of Release: 1997
Next to sex, it’s nostalgia that offers the biggest seller, the subtle art of gently re-reminding people just how good the experiences they had yesterday were. Of course, if you’re a rock musician, it might be a handy tool to write down today what you liked about yesterday since alcohol could contribute to the lack of specific memories at some point in the future. It’s also probably wise to introduce a number of references into songs that people can relate with, such as 45′s and The Rolling Stones. At just 2:45 this self penned track is no ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ or ‘November Rain’ of length, but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in delivery. If an album opener needs to deliver a well timed jolt to capture anyone sitting on the fence, this track is perfectly placed, seeing as it introduces us into the world of Gilby’s second studio album.
Featuring the unmistakable piano and keyboards of Teddy Andreadis (whose “Zig Zag” Guns N’ Roses fans should be more than well versed with) this track questions the nature of yesterday, how good it really was and how great it would be to return there, not always a simpler time – but one we can certainly relish in the enjoyment of. Seeing as this was the first new solo material released by Clarke since his dismissal from Guns N’ Roses, and given the musical change of landscape during the period leading up to this record’s release, it’s possible to suggest that a lot of this song has specific references to Clarke’s own experiences. This is also the same album which features Clarke’s covers of the Beatles ‘Happiness Is a Warm Gun’ and David Bowie’s ‘Hang on to Yourself’ – both songs which deal, to some extent, with self reflection and reminiscing.
4. Under The Gun
Original Album: Swag
Year of Release: 2002
“This wreckage in my head, is from the trash you left…” begins this beautifully crafted song about unrequited love. But before you’re mistaken into thinking otherwise, this is no ballad, with Gilby carefully stripping back the layers of his former lovers insecurities and exposing them as a manipulative and controlling creature who simply used and abused. The simple electric riff pervades throughout and Gilby recounts a story of fighting to maintain the entire affair. At 1.40 we’re treated to an incredible solo from Clarke, having bridged the gap between the second and third verse with an infusion of electrical sound. While it’s not actually Bob Dylan or Leonard Cohen, it’s intelligent music nonetheless, bring the listener full circle and providing a chance to display some skills.
Of all Clarke’s solo material, it’s a track like this which most accurately reflects the work he does outside of his recording, namely his production of other artists such as L.A. Guns and Bullets and Octane who give more this unique tinge of quality then anything produced just prior to his tenure at Guns N’ Roses.
3. Cure Me Or Kill Me
Original Album: Pawnshop Guitars
Year Of Release: 1994
Upon the production of his first solo record in 1994, Clarke embarked on a series of gigs worldwide, being promoted and pushed by Virgin Records. His first single (and video) produced was ‘Cure Me Or Kill Me’ a song which gained a lot of attention simply because of it’s familiarity with the work of GNR. This is hardly surprising, since a musician is often influenced by his surroundings, so it’s natural that having spent several years touring the world with Guns N’ Roses; Clarke would himself return home, looking to capitalize on his newly found fame and show off his own experience, eagerly releasing a solo record as opposed to miming other people’s songs.
If a lot of the pre-production work for ‘Pawnshop Guitars’ was being considered during the later stages of the ‘Illusion touring cycle there’s a lot to be said about the music which remained. This is a fantastic album in general, featuring contributions from Pixies vocalist Frank Black and guitarist Ryan Roxie as well as Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan. So any song which doesn’t feature anything but Clarke doing what he does best is a serious testament to the talents he possessed. That being said, Slash does contribute guitars for ‘Cure Me Or Kill Me’, but it’s the lyrical nature of the track – which deals with bizarre ritual and voodoo curse – that transport the listener into a physical hypnosis and provide for a much heavier track than anything Clarke might produce again.
2. Life’s A Gas
Original Album: Blooze EP
Year of Release: 1995
Recorded sometime in 1994/5 and released on a limited run in the Japanese market exclusively, Blooze was an EP solely with the intention of Virgin Records promoting Clarke’s activities in that part of the world, Guns N’ Roses have created an extremely successful recorded concert from their appearance in Osaka only a few years previous. Released exclusively on that EP, ‘Life’s A Gas’ is a 2.21 strum through the musings of love and what could have been. There’s a distinct influence in this track from Marc Bolan of T Rex and if it was left on a cutting room floor somewhere after ‘Pawnshop Guitars’ was over you could almost be forgiven for this given it’s close similarity with a Rolling Stones cover featuring one Axl Rose.
Drums have been replaced for bongo’s and the electric acoustic makes for a rather fun, pop style, type ballad. There’s even time for a little guitar solo towards the end of the track, and you could argue there’s not a lot of work put into this one but then it shows another side of Clarke’s humor that the last verse goes unanswered. It’s a real shame that this “B-Side” might never have been heard, if it wasn’t for record executives wanting people to hear a live version of the song that hit our No 1 slot…
1. Tijuana Jail
Original Album: Pawnshop Guitars
Year of Release: 1994
Storytellers and wordsmiths take note. This simple tale about a trip taken, for reasons of frivolity and mischief, just south of the border into Tijuana leave us a little worried about the dodgy Mexican officer and his stern approach to the law. Clarke recounts a trip to Mexico, and we’re hoping for his sake it’s a fictional tale, where (upon learning of a Solar eclipse) and realizing there’s nothing in Tijuana but bad tequila; he heads to Mexico City. On route he runs foul of a corrupt lawman who takes him back and throws him into jail, reminding him that he won’t be going back to Texas anytime soon. Since Clarke is from Ohio we have to assume it’s a poetic license. Realizing that his escape will not happen without taking desperate action, he asks the guard for a last shot of tequila, before using the situation to his advantage. Of course, I’d tell you, but that would spoil it.
The appearance of Slash, who provides another guest guitar, only seems to highlight the monumental importance of this track.
Before anyone asks, this track is not connected to the Kingston Trio’s 1958 cut “Tijuana Jail”, which was loosely based on three gamblers who went to Mexico, were arrested and couldn’t post bail. However, the song is a classic example of a folk song (even if it doesn’t sound like it) as it capitalizes on the very descriptive nature of such music. Clarke himself might have been disappointed however that, unlike the Thompson Twins, his song wasn’t banned on Mexican radio – thus creating even more hype and promotion, as the Mexican Government felt it demeaned the area and perpetuated an unfair stereotype. You can, at least, listen to Gilby’s song without feeling guilty.
Read more at whatculture.com/music/5-gilby-clarke-tracks-need-hear.php/6#OdjuGWZXRH1ibBfZ.99
Best known as the replacement guitarist for Guns N’ Roses founding member Izzy Stradlin; Gilby Clarke joined “the most dangerous band in the world” in May 1991 – just ten days shy of a sold out performance in New York’s Madison Square Garden. A talented guitarist in his own right he toured with the band for the entirety of their mammoth ‘Use Your Illusion’ World Tour as well as contributing his talents to Guns N’ Roses 1993 album ‘The Spaghetti Incident’
In 1994 Clarke launched his own solo album through Virgin Records entitled ‘Pawnshop Guitars’, arguably getting such big label interest for his first solo record because of the exposure earned in GNR, which also came to an abrupt end in the same year when he was fired from the band. Guns N’ Roses suffered their own internal, and well documented, implosions while Clarke remained on good terms with Slash and Duff McKagan, contributing to the former’s 1995 Slash’s Snakepit solo release.
Since going solo Clarke has released 7 full length studio albums and worked with artists as diverse as Tracii Guns, Nancy Sinatra and Tommy Lee. On this list we’d like to pay tribute to the guitarist’s talents by giving you a selection of five numbers you may have never heard before – but by the end of which you’ll never be able to get out of your head again.
5. Wasn’t Yesterday Great
Original Album: The Hangover
Year of Release: 1997
Next to sex, it’s nostalgia that offers the biggest seller, the subtle art of gently re-reminding people just how good the experiences they had yesterday were. Of course, if you’re a rock musician, it might be a handy tool to write down today what you liked about yesterday since alcohol could contribute to the lack of specific memories at some point in the future. It’s also probably wise to introduce a number of references into songs that people can relate with, such as 45′s and The Rolling Stones. At just 2:45 this self penned track is no ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ or ‘November Rain’ of length, but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in delivery. If an album opener needs to deliver a well timed jolt to capture anyone sitting on the fence, this track is perfectly placed, seeing as it introduces us into the world of Gilby’s second studio album.
Featuring the unmistakable piano and keyboards of Teddy Andreadis (whose “Zig Zag” Guns N’ Roses fans should be more than well versed with) this track questions the nature of yesterday, how good it really was and how great it would be to return there, not always a simpler time – but one we can certainly relish in the enjoyment of. Seeing as this was the first new solo material released by Clarke since his dismissal from Guns N’ Roses, and given the musical change of landscape during the period leading up to this record’s release, it’s possible to suggest that a lot of this song has specific references to Clarke’s own experiences. This is also the same album which features Clarke’s covers of the Beatles ‘Happiness Is a Warm Gun’ and David Bowie’s ‘Hang on to Yourself’ – both songs which deal, to some extent, with self reflection and reminiscing.
4. Under The Gun
Original Album: Swag
Year of Release: 2002
“This wreckage in my head, is from the trash you left…” begins this beautifully crafted song about unrequited love. But before you’re mistaken into thinking otherwise, this is no ballad, with Gilby carefully stripping back the layers of his former lovers insecurities and exposing them as a manipulative and controlling creature who simply used and abused. The simple electric riff pervades throughout and Gilby recounts a story of fighting to maintain the entire affair. At 1.40 we’re treated to an incredible solo from Clarke, having bridged the gap between the second and third verse with an infusion of electrical sound. While it’s not actually Bob Dylan or Leonard Cohen, it’s intelligent music nonetheless, bring the listener full circle and providing a chance to display some skills.
Of all Clarke’s solo material, it’s a track like this which most accurately reflects the work he does outside of his recording, namely his production of other artists such as L.A. Guns and Bullets and Octane who give more this unique tinge of quality then anything produced just prior to his tenure at Guns N’ Roses.
3. Cure Me Or Kill Me
Original Album: Pawnshop Guitars
Year Of Release: 1994
Upon the production of his first solo record in 1994, Clarke embarked on a series of gigs worldwide, being promoted and pushed by Virgin Records. His first single (and video) produced was ‘Cure Me Or Kill Me’ a song which gained a lot of attention simply because of it’s familiarity with the work of GNR. This is hardly surprising, since a musician is often influenced by his surroundings, so it’s natural that having spent several years touring the world with Guns N’ Roses; Clarke would himself return home, looking to capitalize on his newly found fame and show off his own experience, eagerly releasing a solo record as opposed to miming other people’s songs.
If a lot of the pre-production work for ‘Pawnshop Guitars’ was being considered during the later stages of the ‘Illusion touring cycle there’s a lot to be said about the music which remained. This is a fantastic album in general, featuring contributions from Pixies vocalist Frank Black and guitarist Ryan Roxie as well as Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan. So any song which doesn’t feature anything but Clarke doing what he does best is a serious testament to the talents he possessed. That being said, Slash does contribute guitars for ‘Cure Me Or Kill Me’, but it’s the lyrical nature of the track – which deals with bizarre ritual and voodoo curse – that transport the listener into a physical hypnosis and provide for a much heavier track than anything Clarke might produce again.
2. Life’s A Gas
Original Album: Blooze EP
Year of Release: 1995
Recorded sometime in 1994/5 and released on a limited run in the Japanese market exclusively, Blooze was an EP solely with the intention of Virgin Records promoting Clarke’s activities in that part of the world, Guns N’ Roses have created an extremely successful recorded concert from their appearance in Osaka only a few years previous. Released exclusively on that EP, ‘Life’s A Gas’ is a 2.21 strum through the musings of love and what could have been. There’s a distinct influence in this track from Marc Bolan of T Rex and if it was left on a cutting room floor somewhere after ‘Pawnshop Guitars’ was over you could almost be forgiven for this given it’s close similarity with a Rolling Stones cover featuring one Axl Rose.
Drums have been replaced for bongo’s and the electric acoustic makes for a rather fun, pop style, type ballad. There’s even time for a little guitar solo towards the end of the track, and you could argue there’s not a lot of work put into this one but then it shows another side of Clarke’s humor that the last verse goes unanswered. It’s a real shame that this “B-Side” might never have been heard, if it wasn’t for record executives wanting people to hear a live version of the song that hit our No 1 slot…
1. Tijuana Jail
Original Album: Pawnshop Guitars
Year of Release: 1994
Storytellers and wordsmiths take note. This simple tale about a trip taken, for reasons of frivolity and mischief, just south of the border into Tijuana leave us a little worried about the dodgy Mexican officer and his stern approach to the law. Clarke recounts a trip to Mexico, and we’re hoping for his sake it’s a fictional tale, where (upon learning of a Solar eclipse) and realizing there’s nothing in Tijuana but bad tequila; he heads to Mexico City. On route he runs foul of a corrupt lawman who takes him back and throws him into jail, reminding him that he won’t be going back to Texas anytime soon. Since Clarke is from Ohio we have to assume it’s a poetic license. Realizing that his escape will not happen without taking desperate action, he asks the guard for a last shot of tequila, before using the situation to his advantage. Of course, I’d tell you, but that would spoil it.
The appearance of Slash, who provides another guest guitar, only seems to highlight the monumental importance of this track.
Before anyone asks, this track is not connected to the Kingston Trio’s 1958 cut “Tijuana Jail”, which was loosely based on three gamblers who went to Mexico, were arrested and couldn’t post bail. However, the song is a classic example of a folk song (even if it doesn’t sound like it) as it capitalizes on the very descriptive nature of such music. Clarke himself might have been disappointed however that, unlike the Thompson Twins, his song wasn’t banned on Mexican radio – thus creating even more hype and promotion, as the Mexican Government felt it demeaned the area and perpetuated an unfair stereotype. You can, at least, listen to Gilby’s song without feeling guilty.
Read more at whatculture.com/music/5-gilby-clarke-tracks-need-hear.php/6#OdjuGWZXRH1ibBfZ.99
