Mike Clark: Press

Because he's a school teacher, Mike Clark doesn't hit the road nearly as often as many of his musical peers.
But when spring break rolls around, the Calgary based horn player, songwriter and bandleader does his best to take advantage of the situation, and this year a short haul up Queen Elizabeth
II brought his band to Blues on Whyte for a six-night stand.
Finishing up the engagemnet today with a short matinee and three evening set, Clark's quintet offers up a varied combination of musical touchstones and lays them all out with authority and conviction.
Like the best of '70s southern
rock band, Clark's outfit can slickly traverse the progressions in a soul-steeped Memphis-born jem, put the sting on a Magic Sam-influenced blues tune, or paste a couple of layers of spot on harmonies onto an original countrified ballad.
Equally impressive is the way Clark and his group, includes guitar ace Johnny V and drummer Thom Moon, who was Ian Tyson's right-hand man for years, present material with such a perfectly paced flow.
Kicking into a Tuesday night set with a New Orleans-basted original titled The Red Mile Strut, Clark's tenor sax barked out lines with the same kind of sway and intensity one hears on recordings from greats like David (Fathead) Newman.
Where the River Meets the Sea suddenly puts patrons on the dance floor in the clutch mode as the dreamy ballad produced a pulse that may have turned the tempo down but kept the heat on high.
Hardcore blues fans weren't shut out either, as renditions of Willie Dixon's Hoochie coochie Man and Little Walter's My Babe locked into the 50's Chess Records sound that defines post-war Chicago blues. Johnny V shone on both numbers with solos that were filled with sonic lightening bolts that creatively combine everything from the sting of Albert King to the chordal complexities first mined by Charlie Christian.
Throw in some fine vocals and the understated purr of Steve Tzachev's keyboards, and you've got a unit that can slide from swampy to soulful in a heartbeat.

Calgary Saxman an Adept Lyricist

Calgary saxman Mike Clark has a lot of fans; he's been hosting a jam in Cowtown for so long that it had to happen. Then again, the longevity is tribute to truly astounding chops. Clark wouldn't seem out of place leading the section behind Albert Collins or B.B. King, although his own tastes obviously tip to the more eclectic side of things.

Clark is joined on this 2005 self-released disc (available, as are many good blues and jazz discs, through CDBaby.com) by Canadian guitar great Amos Garrett and country great Ian Tyson on guest vocals. Getting two session heavyweights to join in is also testimony to Clark's reputation as a nice guy and his likable licks.
Read the Whole Review at the link.

The Mike Clark Band: Clarkology This Albertan saxophonist is unheralded in Central and Eastern Canada, but he knows how to really party. He can also stretch out, checking in also with some serious Blues.

Canadian Blues CD Review
December 6th, 2005
The Mike Clark Band – Clarkology
Indie Release 2005

Alberta based blues saxophonist Mike Clark has created a first-rate CD of original material with his recent release of “Clarkology”, a meaty blend of kick-butt blues and country shuffles, funky zydeco, and soulful roots; all delivered in a high-octane, take it to the bank fashion.

Clark has arranged and played all the horn parts for his latest release, it’s no small wonder he’s been nominated as Saxophonist of the Year for the 2005 Maple Blues Awards… just listen to this guy play and you’ll know why. That’s not the end of his enormous talent, though. Aside from writing all the lyrics and music (with some collaboration by his impressive band members) he has sung all the vocals in a gritty, honest manner.



As for the band, these ten chewy tracks are performed outstandingly by a veritable who’s-who of the finest in Canadian blues. It doesn’t get any better than making music with two-time Juno winner Johnny V, the inimitable Grammy Award winner Amos Garrett, rock-solid bassist Greg Carroll, and one of the funkiest drummers alive, Thom Moon. Add to that the stylistic genius of Ron Casat’s piano, Hammond B3 and accordion, and you’ve got a sure winner. But Clark added icing to this mile-high cake with a featured guest appearance by the legendary Ian Tyson, who lends his distinctive voice to one of the country tracks.

Clark’s sound is supremely Canadian in spite of the swampy grooves heavily influenced by the deep south. Morning After Blues features a stellar slide guitar solo by Johnny V, with Clark’s tenor solo roaring over a driving riff (while Clark’s horn ‘section’ builds tension behind him). Alibies and Lies, a soulful R&B track with a great country lyric, is luminated by Casat’s B3, with the whole crossing easily into a variety of radio formats. Stonehouse, inspired by a rehearsal space Clark used in southern Alberta, features stunning guitar work by Johnny V alongside Garrett’s exquisite acoustic, and is touched by the magic of Tyson’s vocal. Kansas City blues shouter Big Miller is paid homage in the high energy Tribute to Big, with Clark’s vocal transmitting the power of the great man’s spirit.

There isn’t a single track on this CD that doesn’t deserve mention, this is a recording that will stand the test of time and is already taking Clark to the top of the charts around the globe. If you’re a Canadian, you can bust with pride, for this is another fine example of the exceptional talent our fair nation produces. If not, we’re happy to share. www.mikeclarkband.com

French Review
Michael P. Clark was born in Vancouver. In 1963. A Canadian who has played of the saxophone for more than twenty years, in a style which mixes roots, blues and jazz. Former pupil of University of British Columbia, he became professor very continuously to prevail in the clubs of Vancouver. He then settles in Calgary, in Alberta, where he occurs in company of His Seals, Albert Collins like a whole series of local musicians such as Amos Garrett, Johnny V, Dutch Mason or of Downchild Blues Band. “Clarkology” constitutes its second elpee. It follows upon “Saxman”. The opus S " opens in the middle same of Louisiana, with the country of the zydeco. L " accordion of Ron Casat puts the nose at the window. Good mood is with go. An invitation to take good time with the country of the bayous and fatty Tuesday. What does not prevent the saxophone from appearing with power and talent. Musicalement, the bar is already placed very high! “Forget butt you” involves us in a rock'n'roll " N " roll furious. Mike has a naturally powerful voice. It does not need to force it. It leaves the great play. With the saxophone. Ron Casat passed to the piano. It demene like a beautiful devil to support L " together rhythmic. Brilliant, the guitar also leaves its reserve. What N " is hardly surprising when it is known that Johnny V is appointed there. A powerful riff propelled by the duplicated sax introduced “Morning after blues”. The sound of the guitar is rotted, adulterated to the extreme. The take-off is impressive. It tears off all on its passage. Johnny V - who also produces the disc - is more than probably the person in charge! Composed of Thom Moon to the drums and Greg Carroll to low, the rhythm section is solid, consistent, without the least fault. An ideal base which makes it possible Clark to exempt a monumental solo, extraordinary. These Canadians are terribly effective. Casat hydrates the ballade funky “Alibis and dregs” of its organ Hammond, a compo cordial, dense, characterized by the infallible melody line of the saxophone. The musicians are delayed in in the major south approaching the register country. And in particular “Stone house”, whose it quite pretty melody is impressed of quietude and contagious softness. Guest, Ian Tyson offers the vocal counterpart while Amos Garrett tears off magic notes of his cords. Return to the rate/rhythm for “Red mile strut”, an instrumental beach which makes it possible Mike Clark to develop briskly his sax tenor while dialoguing with the slide of Johnny V, before skidding in the honky style. The occasion is thus beautiful to pass to the jump. One very awaited moment, favourable with the swing. Full with liveliness, the sax is duplicated throughout “Tribute to Big”. How not to have ants in the legs or not to leave frétiller all its muscles with the listening of this homage to the shouter of Kansas City, Clarence “Big” Miller. Irresistible! Personal report on L " evolution of the contemporary world, “Storm brewing” reaches a new point top. The gospel invades the atmosphere. The musicians claquent hands, hammer the boards of their feet. The tambourines resound whereas the guitar of Johnny V conveys delicious accents borrowed from the major South, in homage to Roebuck Staples. Large esthète of the roots music, Mike Clark again surprises us on “Deeper in the blues”, a compo divided between the country swing and the honky tonk, during which Garrett and V S " exchange chorus enchanters, using their six cords. This elpee S " completes by a luminous boogy, firmly built, very clean and convincing. The saxophone made there its exit with an unquestionable class. It's a pity that this opus either so short, even if it constitutes a concentrate of musical richnesses. I recommend it cordially to you!

aventurero es la propuesta del nuevo trabajo del saxofonista y cantante Mike Clark, que nos presenta un disco entretenido, bailable y variado en cuanto a las propuestas musicales que ofrece. Zydeco, blues, rock and roll, pop con mucha energía y, sobre todo, ganas de disfrutar, que al fin y al cabo es lo que busca el consumidor de discos, todo esto es una buena parte de lo que encontramos en este ‘Clarkology’. Grabado y producido con gran profesionalidad, Mike encuentra en las diez canciones que nos propone el ‘sonido’, es decir su sonido mas particular y personal, sin copiar o intentar parecerse a otros artistas coetáneos suyos, como puedan ser Sax Gordon, Greg Piccolo o Doug James por mencionar solamente a tres de sus contemporáneos mas próximos en cuanto a estilo y sonido se refiere. Un disco gratificante y muy sólido. BUENO. Like a shaking cheeky waterfall of rhythm can be defined the new proposal of saxo player and singer Mike Clark, who brings us a danceable varied and enjoyable cd. Zydeco, blues, rock and roll or pop, all performed with great strength but, over all, making the most of what he is doing, which immediately communicates with the audience who also look for joy and good music. And besides ‘Clarkology’ has been carefully and tastefully recorded and produced. I dare say Mike has really found ‘the real sound’ on the ten songs included on the cd, that is to say, the particular personal sound which makes him be completely different from other similar contemporary sax players like Sax Gordon, Greg Piccolo or Doug James. In short, a hard powerful very gratifying cd. VERY GOOD.

The western contingent at the Blues Summit included saxman Mike Clark who made many new friends in Toronto and blew everyone away when he sat in with the house band at the Maple Blues Awards.

Its in Dutch so I'll just lead you to the web site!! Some highlights as far as I can figure...
"Mike's music will help you get rid of your blues"
"More than typically interesting." "Classy!!"
"At the end we are left exhausted but satisfied"

Blues acts on stage tonight

by Dave S. Clark
Wednesday July 13, 2005
Sherwood Park News — Tonight the Qualico Patio Series will continue at Festival Place with two eclectic bluesy acts from Calgary.
Darren Johnson, an acoustic blues act, will hit the stage at the event tonight, which starts at 7:30 p.m.
Also on stage will be the Mike Clark Band, which offers a mix of blues, roots and zydeco, a genre that originates in Louisiana.
Frontman Mike Clark describes the sound as a sometimes swampy mix that will get you dancing.
Clark says the band has “truckloads of experience” including a few notable awards.
Johnny V, the band’s guitarist, has two Juno awards under his belt and was named best Canadian bluesman and slide guitarist in 1995.
The band has two albums, Clarkology being their newest and most successful.
“It’s being played all over the place,” said Clark in a telephone interview.
He said the band hasn’t been up to Edmonton lately, but hopes the radio play that they have been receiving will get some fans out to the concert.
Although the band started playing a lot of covers, they now write all their own music and have developed their own original sound.
Clark, 42, sings and plays sax in the band. He is accompanied by Johnny V on guitar, a keyboard player, a bassist and a drummer.
The event starts after the Farmers Market tonight and will be held outside by Broadmoor Lake if the weather permits it. The shows costs $5.

The Mike Clark Band Clarkology MCSAX2004


Mike Clark is a tenor saxman from Calgary who has turned into a triple threat, adding songwriting and singing to his arsenal. And he has some powerful friends in Amos Garrett & Johnny V on guitars, Ron Casat on keys and Ian Tyson on harmony vocals & rehearsal hall rentals. Greg Carroll on bass and Thom Moon on drums round out the band. Their first CD, Saxman, received good reviews and that may have had something to do with his nomination for Horn Player of the Year. It certainly seems to have resulted in a jump in confidence. It Clark wrote all the songs and generally on topics and styles from the American south. He opens with a tribute to Buckwheat Zydeco and CJ Chenier, "Zydeco Man", with Casat on accordion. "Huggy Drunk" worked as a drinking song on the last one, so here's "Forget About You", equally effective and with great solos from Johnny V & Clark. The swampy "Morning After Blues" needs no explanation except as to how Clark is going to perform this while playing all the parts of the large sax section! It also features a solid slide solo from Johnny and Clark's best vocal turn. The best song here is "Alibis and Lies", a marvelous slab of blue eyed soul that should be a single. The sax/organ lines are perfect. Tyson's farmhouse is the "Stone House", a gentle acoustic country song on which Tyson does the harmony vocal. Another song that deserves mention is "Tribute to Big" for Clarence "Big" Miller, the KC shouter who made Alberta his home. Again, Clark handles all the sax parts and does a creditable job as a shouter. Clark was here for the Summit and guested at the all star jam after the awards. This CD isn't at www.mikeclarkband.com yet but I'm sure he'll get one to you if you contact him.

CLARKOLOGY:(def.)the study of Canadian music legends performing a country-fied hybrid of blues and jazz accompanied by saxophone at a high level of quality.

"Canadian saxophonist and vocalist Mike Clark has once again inspired some of his high-profile Albertan friends to create a unique and wonderful sounding work of musical art"...Ian Tyson, Amos Garrett, and Johnny V....Well,talk about a legendary musical prairie gumbo that's cooked to perfection..and now simmering at your local music store!


Jeff Corbett
Host of Redbeard's Blues
91.3 FM Regina Community Radio

Red-Hot - Blister Raising 10 Song Release.
Clarkology Rocks the House with a Funktified, Groove Fuelled Boogie Blues