We’ve come across a few tunes from British blues-rocker Mick Clarke over the decades and must say we’ve always liked what we heard, but, for whatever reason, have never seemed to get around to checking out Clarke’s work more fully. Until Clarke’s latest project Bad Whisky Blues, that is, which Clarke describes as a “compilation of some favourite rockin’ blues tracks from the last few years,” plus a brand new take on the Jimmy Rogers classic “You’re the One”.
Most of the other tracks here are also covers or largely based off other songs, with some of Clarke’s more noteworthy takes including Howlin’ Wolf’s “Smokestack Lightning”, Bobby Parker’s “Watch Your Step”, Memphis Minnie’s “Chaffeur Blues”, Sonny Boy Williamson’s “Help Me”, and this one, originally recorded by Otis Rush:
You’ll also find covers here of such songs as “Bad Bad Whisky” (Amos Milburn), “Killing Floor” (Howlin’ Wolf), and “Think It Over” (B.B. King), as well as a John Lee Hooker-ish “Invisible Man”, all featuring Clarke’s gritty, whiskey-soaked vocals and fiery playing on guitar, with sounds similar to Dire Straits, ZZ Top, and Savoy Brown throughout the project.
So if, like us, you’ve been remiss in checking Clarke’s catalogue out, we’ve done at least some of your homework for you: Bad Whisky Blues is a great place to start!