Eric Taylor/Guy Clark - underrated....

Subject: Eric Taylor/Guy Clark - underrated....
From: Spartacus
Date: 11 Apr 02 - 04:29 PM

I put a message about Eric Taylor in the last thread about the "Live a the Bluebird" record with Townes, Guy and Steve Earle. But I wanted to start a new one for a couple of reasons: First, I wanted to repeat Eric Taylor's name. Eric Taylor, Eric Taylor, Eric Taylor. If you're like me and you can't get enough of people like Townes, Guy, and Steve, you'll be an instant Eric Taylor fan. He's made 4 records, I think only 3 are available on CD. The self titled record and one called "Resurrect" are my two favorites. Eric came from the same Texas folk scene that produced Townes van Zandt, Steve Earle, Guy Clark, Rex Bell, etc.

Second, if anyone else is in to the music of the old texas folk scene (or new) and can turn me hip to some lesser known musicians, I would be eternally greatful. P.S. I am especially fond of everything acoustic....

-Spartacus

Subject: RE: Eric Taylor/Guy Clark - underrated....
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Apr 02 - 04:57 PM

Hi Spartacus, Not familiar with Eric Taylor, but soon will be. As far as Guy Clark being underrated I think it would be more like 'underappreciated' because anyone who's ever seen/heard or worked with him certainly wouldn't 'underrate' him. Yours truly was part of the Bishop's pub gang that spawned guys like Rodney Crowell. After the open stage they'd all go out to Guy and Susan Clark's farm, get wasted, play music all night and she'd feed them all breakfast. I never went as I had a job at the time. One night this skinny little asshole from Texas showed up at Bishop's and man did he suck! Horrible songs and couldn't sing or play. We were about the same age. We traded beers and lies said "see ya 'round" and 10 years later I bought 'Copperhead Road'...

Subject: RE: Eric Taylor/Guy Clark - underrated....
From: Wesley S
Date: 11 Apr 02 - 05:53 PM

A big vote here for "Dublin Blues" by Guy Clark. A few of his earliest CD's were overproduced in my opinion but DB really nails it. Just try to listen to "The Randell Knife" without a tear coming to your eye. "Cold Dog Soup" is pretty darn good too. Guy Clark is a great showman, depending on how much he's had to drink that night.

Subject: RE: Eric Taylor/Guy Clark - underrated....
From: GUEST,tequilaron
Date: 12 Apr 02 - 04:22 PM

Eric Taylor is clearly one of the most underappreciated artists on the planet. In the Oxford American music edition, Nancy Griffith described him as "the William Faulkner of the post-modern era. I have been captivated by his music since hearing "Charlie Ray MCWhite" on WMNF 88.5 FM. The song had such impact that I stopped at a gas station and called the DJ to find out info on the artist. This song in on Eric's early vinyl album and it was several years before I met him and was able to get one from him personally. Eric's latest is "Scuffletown". A great CD. My favorite Eric Taylor CD is "Eric Taylor" with such great songs as "Dean Moriarty", "Prison Movie", and "Hemingway's Shotgun" My favorite line:"Hemingway's shotgun finally spoke the truth". What bitter irony. Another singer/songwriter I admire is Tom Russell. I particularly like "The Eyes of Roberto Duran" and of course his "Gallo del Cielo" which Joe Ely and a couple of hundred other people have recorded. Eric Taylor, Tom Russell, Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle--The Real Deal! Ron

Subject: RE: Eric Taylor/Guy Clark - underrated....
From: Wesley S
Date: 12 Apr 02 - 04:44 PM

For what it's worth I read in the paper this morning that Nanci Griffith is married to Eric Taylor.

Subject: RE: Eric Taylor/Guy Clark - underrated....
From: Lynn
Date: 12 Apr 02 - 04:59 PM

Re: Guy Clark - My music partner and I played a local gig at the high school last night...part of a talent show [PLEASE NOTE: WE WEREN'T THE TALENT. WE WERE THE OLD GUYS SHOWING THE OTHERS HOW IT'S DONE!!!] This was the first time we'd played his "Home Grown Tomatoes" in public. HUGELY received (guitar and mando; harmonies on the chorus). I learned it from Guy's performance on PHC some time in 2000.

Subject: RE: Eric Taylor/Guy Clark - underrated....
From: GUEST,tequilaron
Date: 12 Apr 02 - 05:10 PM

Eric was married to Nancy Griffith many years ago. They have been divorced for years, but she continues to tout Eric's talent. Eric appeared with her on the Letterman Show last year and she sings backup on some of his albums. The song "Comanche" on the "Resurrect" CD refers to his second wife. Ron.

Subject: RE: Eric Taylor/Guy Clark - underrated....
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Apr 02 - 05:13 PM

For what it's worth I read in the paper this morning that Nanci Griffith is married to Eric Taylor.

What year is your paper dated? Nanci and Eric were married in 1976 and divorced in 1979.