mickclarke.com
Looking For Trouble
1983
Appaloosa Records AP038-2
Track listing:
1. You Need Love (Willie Dixon)
2. Little Rachel (Jimmy Byfield)
3. Looking For Trouble (Mick Clarke)
4. I'm in the Mood (John Lee Hooker)
5. Honky Tonkin' (Hank Williams)
6. The Full Moon Boogie (Mick Clarke)
7. Careless Love (W.C.Handy)
8. Sidekick (Mick Clarke)
9. As Long as I have You (Walter Jacobs)
10. It hurts me too (credited to Elmore James)
11. Devil on the Road (Mick Clarke)
12. File Me (Mick Clarke)
Mick Clarke - Guitar / Vocals
Lou Martin - Keyboards
Ron Berg - Drums
Len Davies - Bass
Engineered by Chris Mansbridge
Recorded at Elephant Studio, London
Cover photo - Dave Peabody
Produced by Mick Clarke - executive producer Franco Ratti
Mick writes..
"Looking For Trouble" was my first "solo" album and came about almost by chance. I had been working with Stevie Smith in the band SALT, and had wanted to try some ideas that were all my own. Consequently I went in to a demo studio and put a few ideas down - aided by three good friends - Lou Martin, Rod DeAth and Steve Waller, who all volunteered to help out, unpaid and without hesitation.
The resulting tape was good, and after a while I was persuaded to seek a release for it. After approaching, I think, 22 different record labels, I finally got a good response - an offer from Franco Ratti at Appaloosa Records in Milan to make an album.
I went in to the studio with Lou on piano, and the existing SALT rhythm section - Ron Berg (ex Blodwyn Pig) on drums, and Len Davis on bass. The session was a lot of fun - spiced up by Ron's dry wit and Lou's bubbling enthusiasm. Len did an excellent job despite turning up for the first session heavily hung over - very out of character!
We recorded fast and there were no frills. Lou played a basic Hammond with no Leslie Cab - I plugged in to my Marshall 100. The material was a collection of favourite tunes - a rocked up "Honky Tonkin'" from Hank Williams.."As Long as I have You" with a heavy riff inserted .. a rockin' "Careless Love" and the Jimmy Byfield song "Little Rachel" played in a slightly Little Featish kind of style.. I had no idea at that time that it had already been covered by Eric Clapton!
I had never sung lead before - ever! Apart from the demo tape the vocals you hear on the album were my first attempts at vocalising, and it was terrifying. However, Chris on the controls was very helpful and it worked out OK.
I was happy working with Stevie in SALT and had no wish to change anything, but I also knew that I would have to front some kind of band in order to promote the album. As it turned out Stevie had an offer to work with Bad Manners, and I formed the first Mick Clarke Band.
A few years later the album was issued on CD, and I went back to record two extra tracks for each of the Appaloosa albums. Lou play keyboards with Mick Phillips on bass and Mike Hirsh on drums.
Appaloosa Records
I.R.D. SpA
4 via San G.B. De La Salle
20132 Milano
Italy
Tel ++39 02 25 91 700
Fax ++39 02 25 92 064