Serious Intentions

Serious Intentions
Studio album by
William Clarke
Released1992
GenreBlues
LabelAlligator
ProducerWilliam Clarke
William Clarke chronology
Blowin' Like Hell
(1990) 		Serious Intentions
(1992) 		Groove Time
(1994)

Serious Intentions is an album by the American musician William Clarke, released in 1992.[1][2] He supported it with North American and United Kingdom tours.[3][4]

Production

Clarke used primarily a chromatic harmonica on Serious Intentions.[5] He had been playing some of the album's songs for years.[6] He wanted more horns than on his Alligator Records debut, and tried to play his harmonica solos in a similar fashion to those of an alto saxophonist.[6] He also overdubbed many of his vocal and harmonica tracks.[7] "The Work Song" is a version of the Nat Adderley song.[8] "Soon Forgotten" was written by St. Louis Jimmy Oden.[9] "Trying to Stretch My Money" is about the financial hardships of living as a working musician.[5] "Chasin' the Gator" is an instrumental.[10]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
All Music Guide to the Blues[11]
Houston Chronicle[12]
Los Angeles Times[13]
MusicHound Blues: The Essential Album Guide[14]
The News-Journal[5]
The North County Blade Citizen[15]
The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings[16]
The Press of Atlantic City[10]
The Rolling Stone Jazz & Blues Album Guide[17]
The Virgin Encyclopedia of the Blues[18]

The Washington Post noted that "Clarke possesses a big, gruff voice that's every bit as imposing as his harp."[19] The Chicago Sun-Times said that the album "brilliantly frames his gruff vocals and amplified harmonica around sweet jazzy guitars, acoustic bass, drums and a piano."[20] The Los Angeles Times praised "the strong singing and tough playing".[13] The North County Blade Citizen stated, "Clarke is as good a harmonica player as you will find, period."[15]

The News-Journal admired his "smooth melodic style".[5] The Associated Press concluded that Clarke "successfully melds the urban drive of Chicago blues with the mellowness of California swing."[21] The Houston Chronicle said that "his move are obvious and often too stylized."[12]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Pawnshop Bound" 
2."Trying to Stretch My Money" 
3."Educated Fool" 
4."Going Down This Highway" 
5."I Know You're Fine" 
6."Driving My Life Away" 
7."Chasin' the Gator" 
8."With a Tear in My Eye" 
9."It's Been a Long Time" 
10."The Work Song" 
11."I Feel Like Jumping" 
12."Soon Forgotten" 

References

  1. ^ Krampert, Peter (2016). The Encyclopedia of the Harmonica. Mel Bay Publications, Inc. p. 37.
  2. ^ Santelli, Robert (2001). The Big Book of Blues: A Biographical Encyclopedia. Penguin Books. p. 110.
  3. ^ Armstrong, Gene (April 24, 1992). "Bluesman William Clarke Cushing Street Bar has a full plate; there's rockin' action all over Tucson". Arizona Daily Star. p. 7G.
  4. ^ "No Baby Blues". North Wales Weekly News. August 26, 1993. p. 43.
  5. ^ a b c d Wirt, John (May 8, 1992). "Album reviews". The News-Journal. p. 2E.
  6. ^ a b Ferman, Dave (May 1, 1992). "He can blow the harp like an angel". Star Time. Fort Worth Star-Telegram. p. 10.
  7. ^ Murray, Charles Shaar (1993). Blues on CD: The Essential Guide. Kyle Cathie Ltd. p. 418.
  8. ^ Heim, Chris (May 15, 1992). "William Clarke...". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. M.
  9. ^ Hadley, Frank-John (1993). The Grove Press Guide to the Blues on CD. Grove Press. p. 45.
  10. ^ a b Allen, Greg (May 15, 1992). "Sonic Tonic". At the Shore. The Press of Atlantic City. p. 21.
  11. ^ All Music Guide to the Blues (3rd ed.). Backbeat Books. 2003. p. 117.
  12. ^ a b Racine, Marty (May 24, 1992). "Serious Intentions William Clarke". Zest. Houston Chronicle. p. 18.
  13. ^ a b Snowden, Don (January 9, 1994). "Finding America's Lost R&B Masters". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 60.
  14. ^ MusicHound Blues: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 82.
  15. ^ a b Trageser, Jim (May 1, 1992). "Blues Reviews". The North County Blade Citizen. p. 15A.
  16. ^ The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings. Penguin Books. 2006. pp. 123–124.
  17. ^ The Rolling Stone Jazz & Blues Album Guide. Random House. 1999. p. 152.
  18. ^ Larkin, Colin (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of the Blues. Virgin Books. p. 81.
  19. ^ Joyce, Mike (July 17, 1992). "Best 'Intentions', Cain's Able 'Break'". Weekend. The Washington Post. p. 12.
  20. ^ Hoekstra, Dave (May 15, 1992). "Blues News". Weekend Plus. Chicago Sun-Times. p. 5.
  21. ^ "Check out these albums". Scene!. The Idaho Statesman. Associated Press. May 22, 1992. p. 13.
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