I’ve got to admit, Rob Clarke is one of my secret pleasures, ever since I heard him playing solo acoustic versions of Bob Dylan and Neil Young songs (as well as his own) years back in some long gone coffee shop off Dale Street I’ve been taken by his understated but mellifluous and authentic take on the 60s. Psych in a lot of ways but heavily influenced by its beat music precursors. Since then I’ve always checked in to see what he’s up to including listening to his pod casts and catching his latest musical offerings.
I’m not even sure where this track fits in his prolific output, I think its recent but like all Robs music, is worth checking out. You aren’t getting screaming punk or metal extremes, its very controlled and authenticity is its trademark.
Love and Haight is a precise track that in its six minutes just soothes and eases its way into your subconscious. The 60s sound is deeply enshrined and the relaxing vocals, precise, tuneful and seriously enjoyable. This is a meticulous pastiche in some ways and is full of yearning for hippy times long gone but feels updated by influences from more recent sounds.
Relax, play this and Rob can take you to another world, far from Woolton, across the ocean to the far off embryonic hippy central in San Francisco, with lyrical twists that keep your ears pricked and listening to the words as well as the sonic sculpture. The sharp Wurlitzer keys and occasional fuzz sodden riffs hit the mark and (especially) the vocals and harmonies make this track soar.
Like all of Rob Clarkes music its heartfelt and there’s no contrivance to be found, Rob believes in his art and it shines through. Well worth spending some time listening to.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robclarkemusic
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