Gene Clark - Under the Silvery Moon

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Music reviews of Under the Silvery Moon

Music Review: Interesting sidetrack
Rating: 3 Stars

For Gene Clark completists, this set is essential. "Mary Sue," "Sleep Will Return" and "Dangerous Games" in particular add to the classic Gene Clark ouvre. Two tracks, John York's enjoyable "You Just Love Cocaine" and the less distinctive "Can't Say No" are sung respectively by York and Pat Robinson,possibly with Gene in the background. There are two covers: a tedious (and for me unlistenable) "Don't You Know" on which Gene is doing a bit of an Elvis Presley impression and "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" with an unfortunately out-of-pitch guitar prominently placed in the mix. There is another (I believe earlier) version of "Fair and Tender Ladies."

Stylistically, this is actually a very pop-oriented collection. The arrangements, which often rely heavily on synthesizer, occasionally remind me of the ornate backing to "Only Colombe." This is not a bad thing, but just be aware that this collection does not exhibit the country side of Gene. The one obvious country song "Rest of Your Life" is denied a country instrumental backing. It might be fair to regard this collection as a more primitive "Firebyrd." The playing credits include Nicky Hopkins, who is probably the keyboardist responsible for the more ornate keyboard work that pops up from time to time on here. I am guessing that John York is the same person who played bass in the Byrds in 1968 and 1969.

I rate this disc at about three and one-half stars. The project studio recordings obviously cannot match the sound of fully-produced commercial recordings, but they are not at all bad considering that this material pre-dates the era of easy digital recording. There are a few tracks from a regular studio including the aforementioned "Mary Sue."

I am very much in favor of the late issuance of Gene's various aborted projects and am therefore very grateful for this collection. My comments here are not intended to discourage the Gene Clark fan from purchasing this disc, but just to make it clear that this is not a collection of major-label financed recordings that sat in the can. It is not "Roadmaster" by any means. It is more like "Gypsy Angel" with other people involved.

Description of Under the Silvery Moon

Folk CDs

• Music > Styles
• Pop
• Rock