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Non-Prog CD Reviews

Fast Eddie Clarke

Make My Day – Back to Blues

Review by Gary Hill

Fast Eddie Clarke is probably best known for his stint in Motorhead and his work with Fastway. This album might be a surprise to fans of both bands. It’s really a blues album. There is a bit of a punk element here, mostly because of the DIY styled vocals. It’s quite a strong disc, really. Most of it is traditional blues, but it stretches out from there. I’d say to fans of Clarke’s work in other acts, “give this one a try. It will probably hook you.”

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2014  Volume 3 at lulu.com/strangesound.
Track by Track Review
Nothing Left

This is a killer mid-tempo blues number. It’s got a punk meets blues vocal delivery, but the guitar is all electric blues. This is a smoking hot tune. The organ sound is another definite retro element that works well.

Mountains to the Sea
A slower number, this is no less cool. The vocals are almost spoken and the whole tune makes me think of early Stones a bit. Again that organ cools it up while some female backing vocals lend a lot to the mix, too.
Make My Day
Somehow this seems to have a more modern R&B sound. Mind you, it’s still jam-packed with blues sound. It’s just that the arrangement and delivery feels more soulful.
Heavy Load
There’s a bit of a metal crunch in the midst of this. It feels like Motorhead meets ZZ Top to me. It’s a great tune and a nice change of pace. There is definitely some punk in this thing.
Fast Train
A high energy rocker, this is very much a blues tune. It’s also one of the highlights of the set.
Walking Too Slow
Punk rock, metal and blues all meet on this raunchy rocker. It’s a real screamer. It does get a serious parental advisory for the lyrics, though.
Haven't Got the Time
Now we’re back into some pretty traditional blues here. This has a lot of class and style.
One Way
This instrumental is a killer blues jam. It’s got some great piano work in addition to the expected smoking hot guitar. This is one of the best pieces of the whole disc.
My New Life
A traditional electric blues jam, this is a killer. The piano is prominent on this one, too.
Ethereal Blue
Another instrumental, this one’s not really bluesy. It’s more of an intricate and melodic guitar solo piece. It’s a classy way to end things in style.
  
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