November 1, 2017 no. 8

Photo of the month:

This month's photo of Gene at The Boarding House, San Francisco from the late 1970s comes to you courtesy of photographer Craig Trexler. Thank you Craig for sharing this with Echoes' readers!

NEWS

Record Store Day has announced the list of special releases for 'Black Friday', November 24, 2017. Sundazed has issued a limited edition 45 rpm single of The Byrds "You Movin'" and "Boston", both penned by Gene Clark! This RSD exclusive release is limited to 1,500 and is pressed on color vinyl. Details can be found here.

High Moon Records is having a sale on their excellent reissue of Gene Clark's 1977 album Two Sides to Every Story. The album has some great gems on it such as "Give My Love To Marie", "Past Addresses", "Silent Crusade", "Sister Moon" and "Hear The Wind". This gorgeous reissue comes with a deluxe booklet with beautiful color photos and liner notes from Clark biographer John Einarson. And if that wasn't enough, there's also a digital download card of a live concert from 1975 of Gene Clark and The Silverados performing some unreleased songs and songs from No Other, a rare interview radio interview of Gene with B. Mitchell Reed AND a PDF of additional liner notes written by Tom Sandford (a.k.a. "The Clarkophile"). Do not miss out on this deal! **This would also make a great gift for the music lover on your holiday shopping list!**

 

Deluxe CD: NOW $19.99

Deluxe LP 180 gram vinyl: NOW $22.99

 
Click here to order

A "London-based multi-instrumentalist" named 'Sands' has released a new single called 'Let's Run' that includes a cover of Gene Clark's song 'Echoes'. This double A side single was released on Friday, October 27th. We're so pleased to see artists covering Gene's songs! Click here for more information and to hear a preview of the song.

 

Gene Clark Birthday Tribute Night! There will be a Gene Clark tribute in Seattle, WA on Friday, November 17 from 9 PM - 12 AM at The Parliament Tavern. Information can be found on the Events page of the Gene-Clark.com website.

 

Speaking of the website, check out what's new on the Archives page. We've added a vintage article on McGuinn, Clark & Hillman from the Miami Herald and a press release from Capitol Records.  

NOVEMBER IS GENE CLARK MONTH!

 

Gene Clark "tall handsome and eager in a bony, rural way"(!)

November 17 would have been Gene's 73rd birthday and Echoes will be celebrating the anniversary of his birth all month long with some nifty giveaways:

 

  • One region-free DVD of the documentary from Four Suns Productions - The Byrd Who Flew Alone, the Triumphs and Tragedy of Gene Clark
  • One DVD of The Byrds Video Album 1965 - 1967
  • Two CDs of the excellent re-issue from High Moon Records of Two Sides To Every Story

 

All you need to do to be eligible to win a prize is subscribe to our mailing list! (If you're receiving 'Echoes' via email already - you're in!) One winner will be selected at random once a week for the month of November. The winner will be notified by email, so make sure you're on the list, and be sure to tell your friends to subscribe! 

BACKSTAGE PASS

This month Gene Clark fan Nick Cinque tells us about the times he met Gene Clark:

 

"The first time was in 1978, with McGuinn, Clark and Hillman (Steve Forbert opened) and though I was somewhat familiar with Gene's music, that show was when it became clear to me what an interesting songwriter he was and how dynamic he could be on stage and I began to explore his music much more fully. I also got to see a couple shows with different variations of the Byrds Tribute Band at the Lone Star Cafe in NYC, and though it was always a kind of loose bar band kind of show, you felt Gene was enjoying himself, even though it could be a noisy place with chatter and the sounds of beer bottles clanking. And these were good shows indeed, some with Rick Roberts, Levon, Rick Danko, Michael Clarke and some with other various members.

One of my favorite nights was back in 1985 where Gene and John York were doing a duo show at Folk City. Though the crowd wasn't very large, I brought along several friends and we proceeded to have a great time, singing along, getting others to join us and of course having a few beers. Well, between the participation and the beers, the manager of the club came over and said we could stay for the second show without paying the second cover charge. I got a chance to speak with Gene, talk about his set list, talk about his albums, told (him) I was particularly fond of Two Sides To Every Story, which he seemed to get a kick out of. I also got his autograph, he was just so nice and humble. When we had the chance to chat at at Folk City, it was just Gene and John York. He seemed so surprised when I was able to speak to him in detail about his solo work, just so appreciative. We sat at the bar and had a beer and then we actually went over to the stage and discussed his set list. I remember suggesting “Full Circle” be added to the list, and he did. What a great night! I wish I could find a recording of that evening.

Last time (I saw him) was, I believe, in 1988 at the Turning Point in Piermont, NY, a Sunday afternoon show. Again, and unbelievably, a very small crowd. He was in great shape, sounded great, drinking coffee and he played some wonderful songs. Gene made it feel like he was playing especially for us and did not let the small crowd bother him, but I will tell you that that was a great Sunday for my friends and I. I always hoped that he would come back to the NY area, but to my knowledge he never did. I got to know Geoff Bluemauer when he was booking Gene and then Saul Davis, who was always very cool to talk to and you could tell he cared about Gene.

 

What most comes to mind for me is how someone with so much talent was just not able to crack through as a solo artist. I'm glad Gene's music and life are getting some notice now, I hope we get the chance to continue to enjoy some more unearthed Gene Clark music. He is missed. Just one of many who have left too soon."

 

Do you have a special story to tell or photos you'd like to share of seeing Gene in concert? If you're a fan who either saw The Byrds with Gene in concert or Gene solo and are interested in participating, please send an email to:

GeneClarkWebsite@gmail.com

with the subject line: memories. Text submissions should be no longer than a brief paragraph or two. Photos should be attached to the email with a brief description and a photo credit. I hope to hear from you!

Out on the side

Other Gene Clark related news:

 

  • Singer-songwriter Vern Gosdin has been inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Congratulations to Vern's family for this honor. Click on the link to read an article from Billboard magazine for more on Vern and his induction. 

 

  • Chris Hillman returned to where the Byrds had their early beginnings at The Troubadour in Los Angeles to rave reviews. While this show was dedicated to the late Tom Petty who produced his new album Bidin' My Time, Chris also acknowledged Gene saying "we all strived to write as good as Gene did" before launching into "She Don't Care About Time" (also on his new album)." Gene also received accolades from one of the greats, songwriter Bernie Taupin who was in attendence for the show. A link to the the full review from the Los Angeles Times can be found in News.

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  • This month's 5Q is with CARLA OLSON. Read about how Gene influenced her in a recent article by Gary Stoller from No Depression called 'Carla Olson: Gene Clark Taught Me So Many Things About Singing'.

Only Yesterday's Gone...Did you miss a previous issue of Echoes? Not to worry! The archive of previous issues can now be found on the Gene-Clark.com website in the News section here.

 

In The Plan

  • “Gene’s Gear” – feature on guitars Gene used throughout his career
  • “Gene Therapy” a Gene Clark podcast – topics & music specific to Gene’s career
  • "Who's Who" List of people associated with Gene Clark
  • Guest Blog Spot - Do you have a talent for writing? Have you always wanted to write about your favorite Gene Clark album, or share your interpretions of his songs? If you would like to submit an interesting blog piece about Gene Clark for our website, please contact Echoes at GeneClarkWebsite@gmail.com with your pitch, we'd love to hear from you!

 

CARLA OLSON

CARLA OLSON is a singer, songwriter, performer and producer who has worked with numerous notable artists such as Percy Sledge, Mick Taylor, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan and of course, Gene Clark. Her collaboration with Gene on their 1987 duet album "So Rebellious A Lover" has been critically acclaimed and has remained a fan favorite. Carla currently has been making live appearences with Todd Wolfe and is in the studio with her original band "The Textones", recording a reunion album 30 years after 1987's Cedar Creek. The new album is tentatively set for release in early 2018. 

1. When was the first time you met Gene?

I met Gene at a Firebyrds show in Santa Monica, CA in 1984.  They were playing a local club and the audience was mostly made up of students from UCLA and did not know who they were seeing.  We were sitting in a booth with our friend and photographer Gary Nichamin when Tom Slocum, Gene's pal asked if he could sit with us.  When the set came to an end, they got an encore, and Tom suggested that I sing with them.  He coaxed me onstage during the first verse of “I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better” and during the guitar solo, Gene leaned over and said "Hi I'm Gene Clark!"

2. What is your favorite Gene Clark story/memory?

Gene was just a regular guy, no star trip, just All American guy.  He would invite us over for a meal, like steak and potatoes, nothing fancy, but very good and prepared just by him.  He also was a neat meticulous dresser, very particular about his jeans being laundered.  I loved when he made his coffee, grinding fresh beans with a dash of cinnamon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regular 'All-American guy' Gene Clark poses (in pressed jeans) with Carla Olson during the photo session for the So Rebellious A Lover album cover. Photo ©Gary Nichamin.

3 . What do you know about Gene that you would want his fans to know?

Gene was extremely intelligent.  I think sometimes that is why his patience with the music industry was very limited.  His songs were carefully written, words chosen with thoughtful poetry, not simply rhymes.

 

4. Favorite Gene Clark Song/Album?

My favorite song would have to be “For A Spanish Guitar”, the song Bob Dylan said he would have been proud to have written.  My pick for album is Roadmaster, so many great songs!

 

5. Complete the sentence:

I think Gene Clark should be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame because...

his songs are transcendent, poetic and no doubt eternal.

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