Dale Clark

"Trek," the new instrumental CD by guitarist Dale Clark illustrates why good singers & songwriters can be made great by their band.  Dale Clark brought together drummer Andrew Griffith, banjo player Ronny Schultz, and his fellow band mates from Max Stalling's band, bassist Aden Bubeck, & drummer Jeff Howe.  They have turned out a uniquely exceptional album with extraordinary variety.  

Typically, instrumental music is for talking, that white noise you put on so people aren't distracted from their conversations.  This is not your typical instrumental CD, it will pull you in and make you forget you were even speaking at all, it's that good. 

Each track musically paints a picture in your head, the ones that were more visual to me were track 1, "Hwy 99."  It reminds me of the sound of a Texas rainstorm.  Little sprinkles here and there, picking up speed falling faster and until it becomes a storm, then it fades away leaving you with a rainbow.  Track number 3, the "Pila Song" adds depth to the lyrics of Max Stalling's song, and accomplishes the impossible, it makes a great song even better.  You can feel the loneliness of the plains & the building desperation of having no way out with the memories of a beautiful woman haunting you, and the bonus is that you can see the song unfold in your head like a movie.

Each track is a different style, seemingly inspired by a different guitarist, though he wrote all the songs himself, except for  tracks 3 and 6.  You could almost play "Name that artist" through here and always come up a winner, take for instance the following tracks.  On track number 2 "Mo' Teef," Junior Brown comes to mind.  Track 4, "Flight ns34TX," Dire Straits or Joe Satriani.  "Licks that kick" went through my mind hearing that one.  Track number 7 "Farewell" could almost be straight off a Carlos Santana album.  Track 9 "The Road" could be inspired by the rockabilly sounds of Elvis, or even the Dreailers.  On Track number 10, Kris Kristofferson's "Moon in New York City" sprang to mind.  Number 11, "Midget Parade" Willie Nelson's "Mona Lisa," came to mind and brought back memories of my Grandmother, she loved that song.  Number 12, the likes of BB King,  or Stevie Ray Vaughn.  

The name of the CD sums it all up, in that it takes a musical trek through myriad styles of music from Spanish guitar, country, jazz, rockabilly, soft rock, hard rock, and classical guitar.  The word guitar virtuoso comes to mind, placing him in a class all his own.  This is a refreshing break from anything out there now.  Dale Clark is Beer Bytch approved.  Be sure to check out his website!

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