Gene Clark Collected

If you don't know the work of Gene Clark, and you wonder why people rate him so highly, just buy this CD. At his best he is up there with the likes of Bob Dylan in his mastery of words. But there is something in every one of his songs. Eventually his demons wreaked havoc on his body, and he died far too young. This CD set is a worthy tribute to him.

As a founding member of folk-rock pioneers the Byrds, Gene Clark emerged from that band as a uniquely gifted singer/songwriter and had a catalog of great songs over his short life that have stood the test of time.A comprehensive box-set of recordings covering Clark’s career is well overdue (he died in May 1991, age 46 years). Regrettably this “Collected” set is not the all-encompassing project it easily could have been. And, there are other problems with it, as well.It is worth noting – especially for vinyl collectors – that the 3-LP set has 42 tracks while the 3-CD set has 18 more, at 60 tracks. A large unexpected shortfall of tracks on the vinyl issue, ironically from this record label that goes by the name of “Music On Vinyl”.The song selection shows a lack of familiarity by the compilers with Clark’s music. It is extraordinary for such a revered songwriter that the 3-CD set includes 15 covers (yes, 15!) and the 3-LP set includes 11 of these covers. The compilers have this vast number of cover songs in “Collected” but exclude two of Clark’s most highly regarded songs - “Silver Raven” and “Eight Miles High”. Is there anyone with an interest in Gene Clark’s music that will buy this set to hear the likes of “Don’t Be Cruel”, “In The Pines”, “Don’t Let Me Down” or “If You Could Read My Mind” – all covered hundreds of times elsewhere?It is inept of the compilers to include three tracks that have nothing to do with Clark. Included is a cover “Rocky Top” (from 1969) where the vocals are taken by a Donna Washburn, Doug Dillard’s then girlfriend. It is absurd to include “Don’t You Write Her Off” written by Roger McGuinn/Bob Hippard and on which McGuinn sings lead. And there’s more - the song “Surrender To Me”, written by Rick Vito, is sung by Chris Hillman. Gene Clark didn’t compose any of these three songs and is nowhere to be found on the vocals of these tracks. Why are they included in this “Collected” set?CD3 / LP3 claims to include “rarities and outtakes”. But, in truth, it is a series of songs that over the years have been, and remain, readily available either as bonus tracks on re-released editions of Gene Clark’s albums or taken from other compilation albums.The 3 LP set is stuffed into a single LP basic, standard sleeve – not the three-way fold-out sleeve one would expect with each fold-out section holding one LP.The sticker on the LP sleeve announces there is “a booklet with liner notes and photos”. Regrettably, what you get is a four page LP size fold-over that is more accurately described as a leaflet than a booklet.Gene Clark’s rich legacy, sad to say, deserves better than this.

How brilliant was Gene Clark. No Other was like him. But why no Silver Raven in this vinyl collection (jaw drops)?

This is a very strange collection indeed for two basic reasons.Firstly why are a large number of covers included when Gene Clark is one of the greatest singer- songwriters in history. Any one of his songs not on this collection would have been better than 'Don't be cruel' for example.Secondly why are there three songs on here that Clark neither wrote nor sings on - 'Rocky Top', 'Surrender to me' and 'Don't you write her off' - all ok songs but on a Gene Clark compilation?BUT it is Gene Clark and the music that is here is wonderful of course - just an opportunity missed.

A good song selection but some tracks are distorted on vocals

I know no one will ever agree over what songs should and shouldn't be included on any collection, but many of Gene's best songs have been left out, and some inferior versions of great songs are included.Most completists will have all his songs in one form or another, but for those just getting into him, this could have been the perfect collection to start with. Instead, some might listen to this collection and not want to go any further because of the variable quality, which is sad.