ROB CLARKE
In March 2015 Rob travelled to Warner Bros Recording Studios Nashville to work with legendary USA producer Elliot Mazer, known for his work with Neil Young, Linda Ronstadt and Bob Dylan amongst others. The sessions featured renowned Nashville musicians including David Briggs, Mac Gayden and Teddy Irwin. Two tracks, 'The Best Night' and 'In My Dreams' were later released from these sessions.
Earlier Rob released a series of introspective solo acoustic albums Long Way North (2008), Portraits (2010) and About A Time (2013). All these recordings were released on Staff Only Records with 'less is more' producer Fran Ashcroft at the controls.
Third album ‘About a Time’ contained 'Millican's Green' about the alternative lifestyle of Millican Dalton and was the subject of a BBC Radio Merseyside Folkscene special in which Rob’s song writing motivation and process was explored.
Liverpool Acoustic reviewed it as 'probably his best yet. A strong set of songs that strikes the right chord, with repeated listening revealing more of its charms'.
‘Rob Clarke’s music is storytelling really’ – Alt Sounds
Featuring guitar, pedal steel, flute, piano and pipe.
Second album ‘Portraits’ he described as being about 'an artist, two footballers and a hedgehog' and contained paeans to Alan Ball, George Best, Tracey Emin, Johnny Cash and a hedgehog called Spike.
‘Even more stripped down and introspective than his previous collection’ - Liverpool Acoustic
‘Achieves its goal of holding the listener in an intimate spell and it doesn’t let go’– HM Mix
‘I dimmed the lights and listened all the way – this album really delivers on its promise’ - Catacoustic
‘A great album – these portraits allow you to make up your own mind’- Nerve Magazine
First solo album ‘Long Way North’ was described by the Liverpool Echo as 'simple songs sung simply with a melodious voice... No flim flam, no camouflage, no recording studio tricks, just the music and the voice – doing what so many recording artists are too cowardly to do for fear of showing their vulnerabilities. This album rather shows Rob Clarke's strengths, his warm voice and sensitive musicality, coupled with memorable songs that somehow evoke the spirit of Liverpool, and will touch the heart of many, particularly the title track'.
‘His work has an honest tone and quality which makes his finely crafted music all the more listenable’ – The Harmless Musician
‘This is my type of music- the type that works its way into the brain so well that you find yourself singing it to yourself in your head or occasionally (as in my case) out loud at work and that for me is the sign of a great song’ – Liverpool Acoustic
LIVE Sessions at No. 4 - From a Lockdown Near You
A series of live performances in 2020/2021 with many originals plus album specials and tributes to the Beatles, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Elvis, Glen Campbell and more.
