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.
WikipediaDon't really have much to say about this one other than I found it fairly boring overall.
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.
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.
“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
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.
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.
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.
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
2nd - 5th July 2021 Started listening at home but due to the wedding and coopy and jevans coming to stay it was finished in London on the Monday. I loved the first Gene Clark album I was given on here and I really liked this one too. He's a wonderful songwriter in the vein of Dylan and while his musical technicality is sometimes lacking his voice and the songs more than make up for it.
Interessante. Tem um cover bom de Stand by Me (outro cover presente no álbum é "Tears of Rage", escrita por Bob Dylan para The Band. Álbum curto, apenas 34:58.
Can't say I've ever heard of Gene Clark, but it was a pleasant enough early 70s sound.
This sounds like the type of music dad likes. It's not necessarily my thing, but it reminds me of him.
I really enjoyed this. For A Spanish Guitar was a particular favourite! The remastered edition on Apple Music went on a bit long, but overall it was enjoyable and may find its way in the collection eventually!
All songs kind of sounded the same, I like more diversity. Still a good album and super chill. Listened to it while doing math homework
Great songwriting and guitar on this record. A lot of modern country influences can be heard in the riffs and structure of these songs. I'm a sucker for some good harmonica too, which this is loaded with. For something better though, I would just stick with Bob Dylan.
gene clark en gene vette! Nene jokeske mooi rustig album maar gaf me niets speciaals, ik heb al vaker zo een albums beluisterd. MAAAR die where my love lies asleep hits me hard
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.
Un disc de folk rock intimista, crepuscular com la portada. Meritori, però res espectacular. Entenc l'aura que sembla ha envoltat a l'artista des dels dies de The Byrds, però el disc està molt lluny del que jo calificaria com a "essencial", certament
Eh, this didn't grab me even after 3 listens. I had Gene Clark's "No Other" a week or two ago and that was great, but nothing from "White Light" is really making an impact. Fave track - "1975" maybe? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
OK se era bob dylan non mi sarei quasi accorto della differenza, pero' limite mio ammetto un po' tutto uguale sto folk dai
At its best it kind of feels like a Neil Young album, but even then it just makes me want to go listen to Neil Young because I would have a better time.
Gene Clark sounds like a less nasally bob Dylan which is fine, but the music as a whole wasn’t as good as Dylan’s peak folk music. Still easy listening tho even if it felt long and sorta repetitive. Fav: tears of rage
I have never heard of Gene Clark, nor this album, so I'm going into this completely green. With Tomorrow is making me sad. I hated that first song, but track 2 and the more upbeat track 3 (white light) is making me warm up to it. Not a fan of track 5. Tracks 2-4 were solid though. This reminds me so much of James Taylor. I like For A Spanish Guitar. Not a fan of 1975, and I'm soooo not a fan of Stand By Me covers. Meh. I like Ship Of The Lord. Overall, I think this one was okay. Fairly mellow, good for background listening. A couple of tracks made me the good kind of sad.
Pretty wonderful country album. Never heard of gene clark, but his singing and the lyricism are great. The couple covers are a neat spin. The ranging instrumentals gives this album an enjoyable listen. 7.4/10
As far as boring singer songwriter album goes this one is pretty decent. The Byrds guy.
This didn't really do it for me, which I think it more down to the genre than anything. One thing I will praise is the production, sounding really crisp. Ok.
Gene Clark is an unfamiliar name, and the only track that I knew from the album ("Stand by Me") is a cover of a song I've heard from other artists. The two tracks I rated the highest reminded me of other artists. "White Light" reminded me of Gordon Lightfoot. "For a Spanish Guitar" reminded me of James Taylor's "Sweet Baby James". "Tears of Rage" reminded me of the Jayhawks. Overall the album was good. It sounded a little like some old-school country music, but not quite. A solid 3 stars
A pleasant and relaxing listen, but I wouldn't be able to pick a single song out of a lineup
This may have been the singular most boring album I've heard. It wasn't bad music, just dull.
Gene Clark is the former Byrds guy. Not a big fan of the Byrds jingle jangle. This is more laid back Dylanesque country folk with lots of harmonica. Nothing jumps out at you but it is pretty mellow and chilled. Hard to dislike. 3.5
This was a good album. I enjoyed it. Not sure what makes it worthy of the list, but it was something I had never heard of before - so it was worth the time.
On White Light, Gene Clark provides further proof that he was the backbone of the revolutionary Byrds immersion into country music, as he uses his compositional skill to good use and hone his craft on the road to making his masterpiece No Other. Favorites: The Virgin, White Light, One in a Hundred, For a Spanish Guitar, Tears of Rage.
Grew on me. Definitely requires being in the mood for it for my tastes.The second half brought it up from a 2 in my opinion.
I was confused by the first few songs because I thought this was going to be *Roy* Clark. Once I adjusted my expectations I was pleasantly surprised. Nothing real stand out or groundbreaking but the whole album was soothing and easy to listen to. 3.5 stars
This isn't any good but isn't too bad either, kinda sounds like bob dylan or something? a bit folky, a bit country. I'm sure he put a lot of effort into it but it sounds like songs that might have been written in an hour or two each, and it's all one-take playing. Some of the guitars have obvious mistakes/bum notes going on. Will probably never listen again. But I do like the album cover hey. 2/5.
This album is exceedingly mediocre, and the guy doesn't have the best or even memorable singing voice.
I know nothing about Gene Clark, going in cold. Loving the first song, such a warm groove. Halfway through, nothing has lived up to that first tune but generally liking it. Getting really sick of the harmonica, I feel this album could do without it or less of it. The bass is really plunky sounding, kind of getting on my nerves too - like I want to hear a stand up bass instead. Omg the Stand by Me cover is rough, we are going downhill. Overall not very impressed. Probably a 2.5, rounding down.
Pleasant. Reminds me a lot of the Don Maclean record, for better or worse. It ain’t Neil Young…
The music was fine, but I didn't understand the significance. I mean, the Dutch seemed to enjoy it at least. 5/10
A couple of good tunes on here that I’d listen to again but other than that not much else to write home about.
Wish I could rate 2.5 stars. It wasn't bad it was just generic. Nothing plenty of people weren't already doing well before him. Definitely a talented song writer, but kind of tired to my ears.
I found this album pretty pleasant and inoffensive. There may be questions as to whether that is enough to qualify it for a list such as x amount of albums you must listen to before you die. I certainly could have died blissfully ignorant of this album’s existence and I don’t think my life would have been materially impacted. But still. It was too pleasant for me to be too angry with it.
Pas fan de ce genre de musique country, un peu ringarde et pas particulièrement palpitante.
At times put me in mind of a really shit Bob Dylan cover band. Not actually that averse to this and it was pleasant enough to listen to but I’d say this is the sort of folk that gives folk a bad name. I’d have given it 3 if it weren’t for the unforgivable stand by me cover.
Really liked the production on this one, but something about sounded so archaic to me that I couldn't get into it. Almost like it was a parody of this kind of music.
Most sons sound alike. Easy listening and better than I expected but don't think I'll revisit this one.
Ok album, laid back, decent for background music. A bit too on the country side for me to listen to again, I would say.
I really don’t understand why this is something I need to hear. Like Caetano Veloso yesterday, the sound is pleasant enough. The main difference is that I know English. Also, I don’t get very much emotion from these songs. I would still rather listen to something else. Bonus: AppleMusic has an extended version with Stand by Me, which I usually enjoy. This cover I do not like.
"White Light" did nothing for me. It's not offensive or objectionable, but it is boring. Apparently Gene Clark was in the Byrds. Whatever.
It's alright. Relaxing guitar/ harmonica work. Faintly resembles Bob Dylan's work. However leaves alot to be desired. As a lack of chorus in these makes these tunes forgettable sadly. The lyrics are well written and it's ashame that they go half remembered.
A resounding "meh" from me. It gets better when it brings in a full band, but I still can't shake the Dylan comparison. Fine enough, just nothing Earth-shattering. Favorite track: "With Tomorrow"
It was so boring for me. All sings are same, it seems to me. The virgin and In winter are the Best from all another
Folky country rock album by Gene Clark of the Byrds. At first I was like oh boy, this much be inspired by Sweetheart of the Radio which is pinnacle of country rock. But no, he left after the first 3 albums. He wrote a ton of the early Byrds songs... Although I don't think any of them matter besides "Eight Miles High." And yeah, this album was underwhelming from start to finish. For a songwriter album, the lyrics were awful. They often don't really go anywhere and use the same techniques over and over. It just gets repetitive and tiresome. The best lyrics are from the only song (besides Stand by Me) not written by Clark... Bob Dylan lol. Speaking of Dylan, Clark tries to hard to sound and write like him, without having an idea how those songwriting techniques or harmonica are supposed to work. And what do you get when you have a songwriter album without good songwriting? You get whatever's left of the music and his vocals. His vocals sound ok, and appropriately reacts to the subject matter. I think the lyrics drag him back. Except on Stand By Me, it sounded like your average guy trying to sing the song... They try but they don't put any appropriate emotion into it. Overall, the melody is dull and uninspired. There's a thing or two to like from each song, but with basic chords and instrumentation, there's little to look forward to with each song. This isn't a bad album. Every track has flaws which prevent me from calling any of them "good." And if you're not good but still pleasant to listen to, you're ok. It's an album without much substance, creativity, or influence to warrant its place on this list.
Vaya rollazo. ¿Cómo puede ser que convierta la canción Stand By Me en un rollazo? No tiene perdón de Dios. No le pongo un 1 porque estamos en periodo navideño y mi propósito de hoy es decir cosas bonitas. La voz es bonita.
Just not doing much for me. Gave it two tries, and lowered my rating from 3 to 2 on second listen.
I did not enjoy this, it was almost a chore to listen to, not what I look for in music
Monotonous country folk rock album... There are some good tracks, but I didn't see anything special/so inovative in this record. I also thought the album is too long, with 51min. Almost lost interest before the end of it.
An album best described as meh not a bad album but none of the songs make me want to listen to them again
I liked his voice but this album was way too much of the same. Favorite Tracks: For a Spanish Guitar, White Light, In Winter
I'd never heard of Gene Clark a few months ago and now I've heard two of his albums. I preferred 'No Other' to this one - it's pleasant enough and soothing to listen to after a long day, but largely unremarkable. Can't really see why it's list-worthy. 2.5
Понравилась Because of You. Но больше мне сказать нечего. Все же для 1971 года далеко не инновационный альбом. Да и обязательным к прослушиванию я его назвать тоже не могу. Возможно, фолк-рок вообще просто не мое. А потому оценю как неплохо, но в этом списке мастодонтов музыки альбом получит от меня 4 из 10.
A Gene Clark album immediately following an album by The Byrds? And not just any album by The Byrds, literally the album they released after Gene Clark left them? Coincidence or collusion? Ooo it makes me wonder. Oh great, this is also a massive commercial and critical failure that made no ripples across the pond in North America... yeah this will be fun. Side rant: how is this my second Gene Clark album and I still haven't gotten any Led Zeppelin? I thought this list was going to be non-stop banging rad music. Wtf. Back to Gene now. Boring, boring boring. It bores in the morning. It bores in the evening. It bores me at suppertime.
For some reason, this album reminded me of the Billy Jack films of the seventies. White Light isn't awful, it's just dull and unadventurous. Clearly Gene Clark could compose; he just never explored anything but soft folky tunes. Didn't add.
It was enjoyable enough, but there are better albums in this style out there that I'd rather be listening to. No songs stood out.
Not really my thing, sort of a light... Gordon Lightfoot in my mind. Not really significant.
this is what i was most worried about on the list. cuntry music. i just can't get past it.
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.
Sorry Gene it's not you it's me. Just not a fan of the genre. 1 star because I don't need to hear it again.
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