White Light

This is the album that made me think that maybe there aren't 1001 albums worth listening to.

“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

Well this has happened before... kick straight off with a country twang and a prominent harmonica... "Ugh... kindly fuck off please". But wait... actually it's not too bad. In fact it's really nice and chilled and I'm enjoying it very much. I don't often go in for this kind of folk music, but these are some smooth vocals and the whole vibe is incredibly mellow. Thanks again 1001 for making me confront my various musical prejudices! It's nice, real nice. 3.5 rounded up.

As if I didn't have enough boredom in my life, getting served as I was with 4 Byrds albums here already, I got this "bonus".

I've had colonoscpies more pleasurable

Maybe 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.

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.

Don't really have much to say about this one other than I found it fairly boring overall.

Like a boring Bruce Springsteen

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.

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.

This is the first album I’ve listened to in this project that I have just flat out hated. There have been ones not for me, ones I’ve thought were kind of lame, ones that turned me off. But something about this, right from the first track, was kind of stomach-churning. It should be the kind of music I really like; the songwriter from the Byrds trying to do Bob Dylan, but when you have a genre built on authenticity, the worst thing is if you give off a smarmy, false air, and I get that from this. I think it had something to do with the patronizing bullshit of the first track. Do you dislike Cat Stevens? This is that, but worse. Ugh. Favourite track: “Tears of Rage” (the one he didn't write). Least favourite track: The bonus re-issue (which is all Spotify has) has the single worst version of “Stand by Me” I’ve ever heard.

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.

+1 for Album cover I wouldn’t call this country. I really love this vibe. Acoustic 70’s never disappoints.

This was a hidden gem of the list for sure. This album just has a good groove throughout despite changing gears every song. Every song has its own style and groove and is done very well. Reading the wiki tells you why, these are all pros who were involved in tons of other successful projects. It’s mostly folky to me but there’s quite a bit of soulful blues and rock and roll mixed in as 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

Enjoyed immensely. Just the subtle, calm feeling of the moods and lyrics warmed me over pretty well.

It’s just kind of there, isn’t it?

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.

Low-key. Pleasant to listen to, but honestly whose world would this actually rock? Maybe that's not the point. "Where My Love Lies Asleep" is a soft, sweet song, and represents most of what is on this album.

I really like this, especially for a spanish guitar. Maybe i am dutch?

I had heard his name before but this is the first time I listen to anything by Jean Clark. It’s a good little album and you can hear Bob Dylan’s obvious influence on him and so many Singer songwriters in the late 60s and into the 1970s just like this album.

No. 248/1001 The Virgin 4/5 With Tomorrow 4/5 White Light 3/5 Because of You 3/5 One In A Handred 3/5 For A Spanish Guitar 4/5 Where My Love Lies Asleep 4/5 Tears of Rage 3/5 1975 3/5 Because of You 4/5 Stand By Me 3/5 Ship of the Lord 3/5 Opening Day 3/5 Winter In 4/5 Average: 3,43 Enjoyable country album. Really liked some of the songs.

Good for the background but overall very average writing, trying hard to be Dylan like.

The songs sounds all too similar, nothing really stands out. Decent country-esque but not more

Reminds me of a country James Taylor, just kind of folk music with a harmonica

Lød sgu lidt benløst! Men meget pænt. Blev glad da Tears of Rage kom fordi den løder virkelig godt, men kom i tanke om at det bare er et cover af en meget bedre originaludgave af The Band, og en endnu bedre Bob Dylan demoudgave fra The Basement Tapes

Immediately set the tone with a Country twang folk song, and I knew I was in for a rough time. By track three I was pretty much checked out and really didn’t want to listen to any more of Gene Clark’s voice. It just continuously sounds the same, with no personality behind through out the album. Considering it only achieved success in the Netherlands, and bombed in the U.S, that should have been a good indication to leave it off this list.

Oh god harmonica country and boring country at that, this is beyond terrible.

CRAP

sounds like he was influenced by Bob Dylan....and made it softer. also, "Where My Love Lies Asleep" sounds vaguely like Pink Floyd's 'Wish You Were Here' (Gene's was first)

I was new to Gene Clark prior to listening to this, but was pleasantly surprised when I did. This was an easy listening, good songwriting with a storytelling twist. The first song on the album opened up and I found it to have a Jimmy Buffet like sound to the vocals, followed by a Bob Dylanish vocal sound to the second sound. Many of the songs had some easy listening slide guitar sound that I felt was a little bit of a dialed down, Duane Allman tone. All in all, it is now in my playlist.

Chill

absolutely fantastic!!! 6-stars

Better than Coldplay.

Great Harmonica

Nice

Nice and folky, some nice voice wiggle and moan sorta bob dylan sounding

Chill, thoughtful album, i liked it very much. It's as if Bob Dylan had an actually good voice and chill songs with toned down topics

Really liked this.

Just an excellent country tinged record. Just what I expected.

4.6 - Another great album by Gene Clark, definitely going to be putting him into my music rotations

Such a lovely album!

I don’t listen to much folk/country rock, but this was a record I really enjoyed. It’s a great record filled with solid grooves and great melodies. It has a nice and warm mood to it and makes for an easy listen. One of my favorite records on the list thus far. Favorite Track: Tears of Rage

I've never listened to any of Gene Clark's solo albums before. I loved this one. Already downloaded to listen again. Just really good songwriting with great melodies.

Great album

Gene Clark - White Light 2nd album by Clark (former member of the Byrds). Only did well in the Netherlands. Tears of Rage is so good. I found this album too be really good and in the spirit of Graham Parsons. Shame it didn't do well when it was released but I hope it's found it's audience today. 5/5

Lots of hate in the reviews here - not sure it warrants a best of all time placement, but nice and relaxing. More Byrds ahead it seems

I really liked this

Actually liked this one a lot? Nothing memorable about it, I just listened to it like 5 times in a row

Immense respect

Amazing album, very underrated songwriter. I feel he belongs up there next to Dylan. The man can write beautiful songs and has a lot to say on this short, concise album! 9 out of 10

brilliant

Great

This one is for me.

I really enjoyed this, quite the easy listen,

Really liked this album

Masterpiece!

Surprisingly enjoyable really. Bit of a Bob Dylan vibe but that's alright. Maybe because I am from the only country this seems to have been a success in but I rather liked it.

Interesting cover of Stand By Me.

Maybe it’s just me, but if I didn’t know any better, I would’ve thought I was listening to a Bob Dylan record. Gene Clark’s vocals here are more restrained and conversational compared to his days with The Byrds, and leans into a more laid back, storytelling style of delivery. Overall, it’s a solid folk rock album with some rustic country elements that give it a warm, earthy character.

I went back and read our reviews of the other Gene Clark record we reviewed (No Other) and I'm having a similar reaction to this: which is to say I had never heard of it and really enjoyed it. So many moments on this album are simply beautiful — a melody that captivates, a guitar passage that comes out of nowhere, a vocal delivery steeped in emotion. I think I was subconsciously mistaking Gene Clark for Gene Autrey and expecting some goofy crooner country, but there is really a lot of depth and beauty here.

Gotta love when the Wikipedia entry says this sucks. This album is way better than I was expecting it to be after reading that little blurb. Nothing mind blowing but I did enjoy just about all of it. Pretty identical to Mr Bert Jansch from yesterday for me but I like this guys melodies more. Didn’t think I was going to hear tears of rage twice in three days. Another 4.

Gene Clark is a god, one of the founding members of the Byrds and the best songwriter of those. I would give it five stars but I will save that for No Other, one of my favorite albums of all time.

Never heard of it, but really enjoyed this in a Dylanesque reflective kinda way...

The Good: We know we are not in the dark! The Bad: If I would have added “thanks to Gene Clark” above… The Ugly: My failed attempt at songwriting… or writing, for that matter 3 of the last 4 albums to show up on this here list, were released in the ‘70s, and interestingly enough, the surnames of these artists all started with a C, yet each belongs to totally different genre. What’s my point, you might be asking? Well, guess what I am trying to say is “bless the ‘70s!” It’s not the kind of album that you would whip it out during a cocktail party, the other two albums would serve that purpose a lot better. However, if the day requires you to relax a little, maybe focus on a singular task, like trying to make risotto, or preparing your expense account, then White Light is a good choice. Don’t know if this album deserves a 4*, or if I should drop it a little lower as it is very mellow, and one could argue, a little bland—the cover version of Stand By Me is enough to put any one to sleep—yet it sits there in your memory, and asks you to listen one more time… I am dreading more singer/song-writers from that era though, as I am pretty certain that I won’t be as generous with the *’s I am about to dish out…. 4*

I was a bit nervous about this, considering I had never heard of it, and it did not sell at all in the US. However, it was surprisingly pleasant to listen to as an album, and I could see coming back to this. I think it did poorly because there is not really a hit song that is marketable on the radio.

Day511 - this would probably be labeled americana now

really nice good camping/hiking music

i really love gene’s voice. i could see myself coming back to this record

3.5+/5

This album was really good. It’s got a really nice folky, and country-rock feel. Clark’s vocals are really great on almost every track, he also is very clearly doing a Dylan impression on the title track (not a negative just an observation that song was good) and there is a Dylan cover on here too. The highlights for me were “The Virgin”, “With Tomorrow”, “For A Spanish Guitar”, and “1975” but this whole record was very good.

4 - great acoustic country folk album

Sneaky good songs on this album.

Nice, low-key acoustic folk music that I liked

3,5

Sunny, upbeat folk rock that you can tell was made by a Dylan contributor.

This album surprised me. I thought it would be a run of the mill standard country album. There are some great songs and styles on here. Some sound like Bob Dylan, some like Glen Campbell and even a cool cover of “Stand by Me” with some bongo action. Fantastic album

4

I liked this way more than I expected to, honestly. Folky solo album from one of the guys from The Byrds? I wasn't expecting much at all, I can't even name a song by The Byrds. Beautiful and tender songwriting, short and sweet and a little bit of a country sound that isn't too over the top for my city slicker self that is allergic to that southern drawl vocal style. This was a curveball that I didn't expect to like as much as I did.

Kinda like Bob Dylan mixed with Nick Drake

New to me. Nice.

This list has taught me that I do, in fact, enjoy country music quite a bit, just not pop country or whatever we've been doing the last 20 years. With Tomorrow , Because of You, the Tears of Rage cover, and For a Spanish Guitar are all really nice.

Maybe it's because I have been pelted into submission by the onslaught of US&A's countryrockfolk in here and I'm just "whatever" at this point, but... it's nice? I think? A low-key Byrds plus what seems like a thankfully muted and altered influence from this Gram Parson dude? That iteration of that music? Whether I needed to hear this I have no idea, probably not, but, I had a good enough time listening to this. Saved a song.

Classic snd eminently listenable

Good folksy folk music.

This was some good singer song writer stuff here!

I liked it - perfect music for a spring day. Reminds me of drinking a pitcher of beer on a back patio with some friends.

This is some easy grooving 70's singer-songwriter stuff. It has a warm mellow feeling. The guitar & bass are fully upfront with the drums pushed back & the touches of harmonica are nice. Favorites: The Virgin, White Light, Because of You, Tears of Rage. I'm a solid 3.5 with this but I'm gonna give it a 4 because the bass is so fucking loud. I love it. You can clearly hear all the bass bumping and sliding and it's good playing!

I'd never heard of Gene Clark until today. An album that starts with a harmonica-forward song is automatically at least a 3 for me. Only ranking the original track list through the song 1975, as the rest are bonus tracks added in 2002 (though I really loved his Stand Be Me cover in the bonus). The Dutch have good taste, I thought this album was pretty damn good. He has a lovely voice, and the songs were really moving and heartfelt. At one point during For a Spanish Guitar, I felt like it was wrapping me up in a warm blanket. Great discovery!

enjoyable can see that groups like The Jayhawks drew a lot of inspiration from.

Warum so schlecht bewertet? Richtig angenehme Singer Songwriter. Die Cover musste nicht unbedingt sein.

so now I know who MJ Lenderman copped his vibe from. interesting! Gene Clark was a member of The Byrds, a band I'll probably get around to hearing for this challenge soon, and one which was responsible for boosting the careers of, among others, David Crosby and members of The Flying Burrito Bros. Clark's bag on White Light is a country-tinged folk rock sound that reminds me of Bob Dylan; Clark's voice often dips into Dylanisms, and there's even a Dylan cover on side B. I don't know if much stands out to me, but it's consistently a pleasant listening experience. I just wish it rocked a little harder or felt a bit more unpredictable. light 7/10.

I could listen to this voice all day.

I really liked this. Laid back, and doesn't try to do too much. Possibly a bit longer than it needed to be.

Quality Stuff

Tremendous bouquet of country rock music. Lyrical effectiveness and earworm instrumentals.

This was solid. Felt like a mix between Neil Young and George Harrison. Might not actually be a 4 but marking it that way to come back to

I really enjoyed this. The covers were nice and all of the music was solid easy listening

Gene Clark is one of the interesting side characters in 60s rock. He was the member of the Byrds who didn’t launch a career of his own as big as the others. But a couple albums really stick: this and the one with the Godsden Brothers. In all honestly that other album probably deserves a spot on this list more than this one, but it’s still a good time capsule of folk rock at a burgeoning age of consciousness.