White Light
Gene Clark
1971
Album Summary
White Light, aka Gene Clark, is the second solo album by Gene Clark, former member of The Byrds. It only achieved commercial success in the Netherlands, where rock critics also voted it album of the year. Like all of his post-Byrds records, it did very poorly on the US charts. In June 2018, independent reissue label Intervention Records released White Light on vinyl and as a hybrid CD/SACD.
WikipediaMaybe artists were less ridiculed back then for covering on the nose material, but that Dylan cover of Tears of Rage halfway through thiss one reminds me of Westlife's Barry Mannilow cover in 2003 - erroneou for being both the best and worst choice. Yes Gene, the song suits you because it's what you're entire sound is cadged from. No Gene, you shouldn't cover it because it mostly highlights your limitations in comparison. Started well, though, and ended even better when he just kinda stopped the song, put down his instruments and called it a day. Love that. No surprise about any of this as I generally find The Byrds unconvincing even when I like them, so one member's solo plight for authentic folksiness was unlikely to score well in my book.
Don't really have much to say about this one other than I found it fairly boring overall.
Je vais tenter en moins de cinquante lignes de vous prouver que Gene Clark est une ordure. Regardez d'abord son nom, et plus particulièrement sa première particule: Gene. Vous ne remarquez rien ? Laissez-moi vous expliquer. Au moment de choisir un nom de scène, Gene Clark sortit sa carte d'identité de son portefeuille. "Harold Eugene Clark" était-il écrit sur son recto. "Vais-je choisir mon magnifique prénom pour former la première partie de mon nom d'artiste, ou vais-je plutôt choisir le deuxième qui est objectivement dégueulasse ?" Et c'est ainsi que Harold Eugene Clark devint Eugene Clark, plus tard abrégé en Gene Clark puis Gêne Clark, avant d'être rebaptisé La Merde par son rival Cat Stevens. Parlons ensuite de la chanson Ship of the Lord. Je vous rappelle ci-dessous l'échange entre Gene et son producteur Jim Doors Morrison: - Un, deux... - *Musique*. Je suis désolé. - Un, deux. Un, deux, trois... - *Musique* - Ça va pas du tout. Un, deux... - *Musique* - Eh dis donc Gene tu te foutrais pas un peu de notre gueule ? - Pardon, je ne suis pas dans mon état normal... - Qu'est-ce que t'as ? - Rien... c'est simplement que... Cat Stevens détient ma femme et mes enfants dans une caravane non climatisée à l'extérieur de la ville... - T'as pas un peu fini de chouiner Roldah Clark ? - Tu as raison, on reprend. - One, two... - *Musique: Ma feeemme et mes enfaaants sont les hotaaages de Cat Ste-vens, Cat Steeee-vens, Cat Steveeeeeens... * L'échange est évidemment plus long mais vous avez là l'essentiel.
La révélation de ces NRJ Music Awards faisait son retour en ce mercredi matin, malheureusement il n'a pas su répondre aux attentes placées en lui. La comparaison avec Jeremy Menez est dès lors inévitable.
Reminds me of a country James Taylor, just kind of folk music with a harmonica
The songs sounds all too similar, nothing really stands out. Decent country-esque but not more
Good for the background but overall very average writing, trying hard to be Dylan like.
“White Light” by Gene Clark (1971) Never heard this album. This was one that I missed when I was young. I never knew of Gene Clark by name, but his association with The Byrds, as well as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and Bob Dylan puts him very good company. As I approach this album, my expectations are high. The highlight of this album is in the lyrics. As a songwriter, Gene Clark utilizes simple melodies to carry elaborate lyrics, like a Bob Dylan or Gordon Lightfoot. But Clark’s poetics are flawed. There is too great a reliance on the device of placing the object before the verb and subject. For poets, this a device sometimes used to maintain the rhyme and meter. But Clark doesn’t use a strict rhyme or meter structure anyway, so it comes off as pretentious and distracting. On the opening track “The Virgin”, we get a story with no ending. On the title track “White Light”, we get an elaborate and thoughtful depiction of an imaginary scene, but without coherent meaning. Clark fails to tie it together. He’s trying to channel Dylan. He’s no Dylan. I thought the lyrics to “Tears of Rage” were better, then I found out that unlike the rest of the songs on this album, these lyrics were written by—Bob Dylan. Musically, the settings are so very plain. Country folk rock three chord monotony. No innovation. Simple to the point of lacking depth and passion. I wish he’d put down the harmonica. Clark’s voice is timid. He struggles to find the notes, high and low. Melody on “Because of You” has the curious ending to each verse on the fifth—not resolving to the tonic until a repeat of the last line of the song. That doesn’t count as innovation. That’s just weird. A melodic doodle. Yawn. I’m glad I heard this album before I die. It reassures me that some of the music I missed when I was young was actually worth missing. 2/5
Ugh. James Taylor from Wish. Nothing redeeming or captivating about this at all. Lyrics are entirely forgettable, that is when the singing isn't too mumbly to even understand them. Singing is completely lacking in energy and monotonous. Music is basic and boring throughout, save for some harmonica flourishes. And thanks to spotify for the bonus tracks... We get an alternate (?) version of a song that I couldn't stand the first time, and a dreadful cover of stand by me. I have no idea why this album is on this list.
Enjoyed immensely. Just the subtle, calm feeling of the moods and lyrics warmed me over pretty well.
First time listening: 9/9 songs like Oh yeah, this is such a relaxing album all the way through. I have a thing for simple, genuine, music writing, and this is definitely it. Definitely should have gotten more steam with all the folk greats
Another solid effort from ya man Gene Clark. I know who he is now... decent!
Nicely understated and under appreciated. Soft and lovely, the album can sound a bit the same at first, but the songs quickly grow on you and become your favorites.
Do you want a hug, Gene? Really gorgeous and open country-rock. Winter In is superb.
I had never heard this before. Some tracks that were covers ( maybe he did the original?) Can hear his influence in Springsteen
This album has more of a country sound to my ears, but Wikipedia says it’s a rock album. Either way, I like it. I don’t know that I’d necessarily look up more by this artist, but I did enjoy this album. It was good music for chilling.
While admittedly not the most exciting album, I'm a big fan of the Byrds and their members' solo work. Loved it.
just some real nice folk music. Gene White - founding member of The Byrds
Always grateful to get recommended more country music, as I don't know the genre all that well and being exposed to the best can allow me to garner a greater appreciation. Sounds a bit like Dylan at some points but is nowhere near as grating. It's a sweet and mellow album, as the warm sounds of Clark's voice and guitar float through my ears. I wish it had a bit more substance though. Nothing wrong with a simple album, it just ends up not being wholly remarkable or memorable for individual moments. Still rocks near the end though and I can always get down with a barn-burner! Thanks for the music, Gene.
Folk de guitarras clásicas, mejora cuando se inclina más hacia el pop. Tranquilísimo y bello.
Mile zaskoczenie, bo od tej strony nie znalem jeszcze glownego teksciarza byrdsow, pana Gene, ktory na swojej drugiej solowej plycie dotitnie pokazuje, ze mial on lwia czesc zaslug jesli chodzi o sukces bandy, bo zazwyczaj jak sie mysli o byrdasch, to na mysl przychodzi Crosby i jego gitarkowanie, McGuinn jako glowny wokalista, ale rozbudowane lirycznie teksty utrzymane w psychodeliczno folkowym klimacie, to jednak w wiekszosci zasluga Clarka, no i nie mozna zapomniec o harpie, ale co do samego albumu white light, nagrany w 71 z czlonkami latajacych braci burritosowych i bandy stefka mlynarza, material jest dosc krotki, bo tylko 35 minut na 9 kawalkow z czego wiekszosc to kompozycje orginalne clarka, jedynie tears of rage dylana jest tutaj coverem, na plycie dominuja proste kompozycje oparte na dwoch gitarkach i harpie, zarowno gitarka i harpa operuje pan Gene, no i oczywiscie jest on glosem plyty, bo to przeciez jego material, urzeklo mnie podczas odsluchu jak album progresuje swoje brzmienie, pierwsze traki same gitarki i harpa, co przywodzi na mysl styl country z folkowymi wokalami, dochodza kolejne instrumenty, tutaj bongosy, tam drumsy, kolejne organy, elektryk, klawisze, w wyniku czego juz przy tears of rage i konczacym plyte 1975 czuje sie jakbym sluchal klasycznego rokowego materialu, folkowe brzmienie w ciagu 30 minut zupelnie ewoluowalo, a obie czesci plyty slucha sie rownie dobrze, to dopiero sztuka, a sztuczki mozna szukac w solidnych tekstach, ktorym najblizej do wspomnianego juz dylana czy neila younga i jego folkowego okresu, niestety nie dodam nic na plejke, bo spotifaj nie posiada w swej biblitoece akurat tego albumu, ktory widocznie nie sprzedal sie zbyt dobrze, jak zreszta cala solowa tworczosc Clarka, a wielka szkoda, ze taki artysta jest znany tylko jako czlonek byrdsow
I love beautiful, sad songs and this album is chock full of them. Really good stuff. This could become a 5 star album for me after listening about 10 times, but for now I'll give it 4 stars.
Dylan-esque folk rock. This is a sound/style I enjoy. This kind of music always feels so classic to me, kind of like coming home I guess. Maybe not the most groundbreaking album. I listened to this over two days. The first day it wasn't really clicking with me but the second day I quite enjoyed it. 1975 in particular was really great. Probably more like a 3.5 for me.
I liked it enough to listen to it twice, but there was nothing that jumped out at me particularly, though Stand By Me was recognizable
a tough collection of songs - Dylan/Manuel's "Tears of Rage" is the pick of the bunch - but Gene Clark sings them all with great depth.
I get annoyed when Clark is listed among the great songwriters; to me, he's a tier or two below that. That doesn't mean he's a bad songwriter, though, and there's some good stuff here, even if it is a bit mellow and same-y. Best track: For a Spanish Guitar
I don't know man. This feels like a pretty run of the mill decent album for me. The writing is solid, and dude is hitting licks with that harmonica.
I'm not a big fan of country music, but it was great as a background to my working hours. There is something in country music that is triggering me all the time, but in this one there wasn't.
Chilled well crafted songs. Nothing mind-blowing but I enjoyed most of them.
Хороший альбом. Светлый, добротный. Напомнил сольный альбом Джорджа Харрисона.
Enjoyable listen. The type of laid back country tinged rock that existed, before wall-of-sound country arrived a few years later and urbanised the genre. Great.
Country, folk, 1971. Very good record full of great songs and a really well played cover of "Stand By Me". The mood is calm but sometimes melancholic and the tracklist is clever and interesting. After all the project is really solid.
I have a soft spot for Gene Clark and sadly he's career really never took off the way that it should. I seem to disagree with with which albums are selected by artists for this list. this album is good but No other and Roadmaster are much better. Also the extra songs on the current release are not very good and take away from the original release.
Great stuff. Gene Clark has a way of getting into your soul with the way he plays music.
A lovely album similar to David Crosby (also a former band member of The Byrds) and his album “If only I could remember my name”. Both highly rated albums!
Gene Clark is so underrated. This is like listening to Bob Dylan but not actually wanting to cut of my ears because of the screeching harmonica and horrible voice. Don't get me wrong I love Bob Dylan, but a whole album of his can get so hard to listen to. Even though the lyrics aren't as deep or captivating or whatever this is nice for a change. 5 Though it sure is not the most memorable.
Never heard any of his music before or of him, but really good singer-songwriter music.
Reminescent of Tom Petty, Dylan, Drake. Acoustic guitar and harmonica folk. Really nice songs. Good discovery.
99 / 1069 Prefer No Other, this is certainly more country. Still a great listen!
Great voice and great songwriting but sounds like a demo album esp some of the percussion.
I’ve become a bit of an expert on North American acoustic folk rock from 1971 recently. Not by any desire or design, it’s just I’ve signed up to this 101 North American acoustic folk rock from 1971 albums to hear before you die thingy. To be fair though, this is a particularly decent example. It reminds me of a lot of songs and ideas that came soon after this, including but not limited to: Beach Boys, Pink Floyd, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Eagles, John Prine. And also brings to mind Paul Simon and Cat Stevens who I already enjoyed. More enjoyable to me than all the Crosby/Stills/Nash/Young that have been flooding my ears recently.
Actually pretty good, and I was honestly surprised based on description. But missing anything elevating.
I was so pleasantly surprised by this. It feels timeless but still quintessentially 70s.
Found it to be okay listening, not much groundbreaking here, nice Stand by Me cover
Hadn't heard anything by Gene Clark prior to this; not even very familiar with The Byrds outside of their big hits. I thought there was a lot of beautiful stuff on this album and fairly engaging musically for a singer/songwriter-centric work. I really liked his version of "Tears of Rage"; lots of other standout songs including "The Virgin" and "For A Spanish Guitar".
It’s fine. A bit rambling but completely inoffensive. I’d throw it on in the background.
Decent folk album. Definitely an oldie so I don’t really sway towards it but it was good background music. Lean on me is the track that stands out.
Gene Clark was a member of the Byrds. This is his second solo album. It did really badly in the US, but was voted album of the year (!) in the Netherlands.
Pleasant and rambling country rock. A little like a more churchy Townes Van Zandt, albeit the songwriting isn't up to that quality (then again, who's is?). I didn't mind this, an amiable companion to a wet weekend but hardly setting the world alight.
that stereotypical (in my mind) seventies artist. Gave me that Bob Dylan / Paul Simon feel. But, just nothing there for me to say "I gotta hear me more Gene Clark" so I give it three acoustic coffee house jam sessions.
Didn’t hate it, didn’t love it, I would get on an elevator if it was playing so there’s that
Were it not for this App I would've never listened to this LP. I had to google his name to learn he was from the Byrds. Even then, while I knew there was a band that spells Birds with a "y", aside from Eight Miles High and their covers of Mr. T Man and Turn Turn Turn I really don't know them. I suppose that Crosby was the only legacy Byrd to become a household name (Perhaps Gram Parsons also is; I suppose it depends on your household) White Light is a very enjoyable listen. I was well into the album and fully expecting not to recognize any of the songs and then his cover of Stand By Me pleasantly surprised me. Gene is very talented. It's a shame the vast majority will never hear it.
A hidden gem. This is real 70s singer/songwriter though it was a commercial flop. Country/folk melancholy. Best Tracks: The Virgin, With Tomorrow, Tears of Rage