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The Rambunctious Blues Experiment
Rockfold RF010

Cheap by Mick Clarke

01 Cheap by MickClarkeBand THE MICK CLARKE BAND at the Norratles Blues Festival 2011 Rockfold Records presents "The Rambunctious Blues Experiment", International distribution through BGO or buy now from this website. Digital distribution through iTunes eMusic and Amazon mp3
Mick's brand new album is a raw slab of gutbucket blues, featuring Mick's guitar, slide and vocals with Dangerous Dave Newman on harp and Russell Chaney on drums. More details here or order now

"I think it is fabulous, you really have achieved the deep down grungy blues you were aiming for, superb" TW, England
"Great Album!" HR, Netherlands
"The RAMBUNCTIOUS BLUES EXPERIMENT cd will ROCK!" BL, USA
"I love it! You and Seasick Steve have done a pretty good job of proving that old guys do it best!" Peter Antony, Radio Caroline

More Rambunctiousness below..


Photo (left) from the Norrtalje Blues Festival by Collette Wijkander festivalphoto.net

HOT NEWS: Dangerous Dave's apprentice takes over on harp. Welcome to DangerSooty. Photo: D Newman.

SALT returned for their second re-union tour in September. Many thanks to everyone who came and enjoyed the band. SALT features Mick with Stevie Smith on vocals and harp, Stuart "Mac" McDonald on bass and Chris Sharley on drums. New Retro CD now available

Next confirmed SALT date: The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury, September 2012

LATEST - THE MICK CLARKE BAND return to The Netherlands in March 2012 for their first appearance in five years - details to follow.

The band returned to Sweden on Saturday 30 July for their first Scandinavian festival appearance in three years at the Norrtalje Blues & Rock Festival - it was a fantastic night with a great crowd who were ready to rock. Many thanks to Jan and his friends for inviting us to this great festival.

More new UK and European dates Italy, Switzerland, Netherlands for THE MICK CLARKE BAND to be announced.
Recording of brand new KILLING FLOOR album began in February 2011 - album scheduled for release later in 2011




Album

More Rambunctiousness..
Top US rocket scientist declares Rambunctious Blues Experiment a complete success!!! Many thanks to blues radio presenters around the world who are currently playing the album including Mick Martin at Capital Public Radio, Sacremento California, Vicente Zumel at lahoradelblues.com, Spain, Tom Russell at Rock Radio Scotland, Peter Antony at Radio Caroline / www.radiocaroline.co.uk Sky / Freesat / and RadioPlayer 24/7, Carlos Rubin "Minister of the Blues" FM Cielo 105.5 Cordoba / Argentina, Pascal Martin / Radio Canut 102.2 / France, Serge Warin / Radio Canal Bleu 94.3 France, Luc Brunot on RCF Corrze / France, Manuel Marin Jiminez / borntobebadradiosantboi.blogspot.com / Barcelona / Spain, Thomas Kaldijk / Radio Parkstad / The Netherlands,Bertwin Bijleveld / Golfbreker Radio / The Netherlands, Robert Biettron / Crock Radio / France, Vicente Zumel / lahoradelblues.com / Spain, Blues DeLuxe / national syndication USA / Nico (bluezy) Bravenboer Radio Ridderkerk / Netherlands, Dr Boogie / Belgium, TossRadio / Netherlands, Josep Palmada / Radio Vilafant / Spain, Frank Baumgardt / Radio Jam / Germany,Harry Radstake RTV Raalte / Netherlands, UK Bobs Blues N Grooves / Georgia USA, Greg Demko / KRZA / Colorado USA, Bjorn Wiksaas / Bluestimen / Radio Sor FM 98,6 Kristiansand / Norway, www.topblues.com / Tucson Arizona USA, DJ Kruno "Boom Boom" Croatia, WCNI Connecticut USA, Kansas City Online Radio and our own Retrosmith!!
RADIO STATIONS - to request a promo CD contact us at micclarke@hotmail.com

Let it Rock Website Warts and all: the raw 'n' dirty stew from the British master of the genre.

Held in high esteem since his day as a leader of THE KILLING FLOOR, Mick Clarke has never stopped playing, with his own band or solo, or even when a string broke, as on "Woodsman", the closing track on this album. Hence the "rambunctious" part of its title - the blues aren't meant to be polished, after all, as the opener "Cheap" states - with the "experiment" element joining in from the veteran's current MO: the guitarist called the shot to drummer Russell Chaney with no prior rehearsal which, intuition at play, resulted in grand spontaneity. Clarke cut some agnail while adding a bit of bass at the postproduction stage, yet the wayward spirit reigns all over the dozen tracks on offer.

It hangs well in the Chicago blues tradition, Dangerous Dave Newman wailing on his harp, even though "Groundhog Man" harks back to the Delta's slide with a slice of Diddley beat. But if "Old Bones" rattles its distorted heavy riff with a modern, Jack White-approved edge, the sadness of "Something Wrong" could have been well coated in an orchestral sweep. On the other side of emotional spectrum, "Shake That Boogie" and the instrumental "Go Go Freddie" are irresistible feet-tappers, so the only smooth thing there should be the floor where the rug has been cut, while "Slipaway" thrashes its hook in the equally infectious, if moderate, manner. The album bursts with a youthful energy: the experiment proved to be successful.
****1/3
Dmitry Epstein

Blues Matters Magazine - September 2011

Veteran of the British Blues scene for many decades Clarke has produced an album of stripped down, raw, rough and ready Blues which was recorded in, mostly, first takes. The title and feel of opening track 'Cheap' sums up the philosophy of this spontaneous sounding album and the lyric states the case admirably - "I ain't lookin' at the label, I ain't worryin' bout the quality". There are a few glitches along the way but everything is left in - even a broken string! Drummer Russell Chaney copes well with this minimalist, no frills, approach and Dangerous Dave Newman added some harp to the finished tracks. Clarke was persuaded to add some bottom end so bought himself a cheap bass guitar and added it himself in deliberately clunky style. 'Groundhog Man' features a stomping Bo Diddley beat, abrasive slide guitar and distorted harp work. Great stuff! 'Shake That Boogie' does what it says on the tin with Clarke taking no prisoners with his fierce slide guitar. The pace relents for a moment with the perfunctory slow Blues 'Twenty Miles' but a distorted, heavy, rumbling riff introduces 'Old Bones' a rocker which ZZ Top would approve of.

A touch of garage rock features on 'Slipaway' a steady paced rocker that thrashes away at an insistent hook. The instrumental 'Go Go Freddie' is a toe-tapping tribute to Freddie King which speeds along furiously as Clarke's guitar duels with Newman's harp. I think Clarke won. This gutbucket album closes with the chaotic and rousing 'Woodsman' where Clarke ploughs on with five strings and also hits the pick up switch a few times randomly changing tones and switching off his corruscating slide guitar completely at one point as Dangerous Dave wails furiously and Chaney thrashes his kit within an inch of it's life. A mess -well yes but also incredibly exciting. as they thrash to a mutual climax. The dictionary definition of rambunctious is "boisterous and disorderly - difficult to control" and that certainly sums up this album.

This will serve to revitalise any jaded palate and is thoroughly recommended.

Dave Drury

lahoradelblues.com

Singer and guitar player Mick Clarke has decided not to include a bass player in this new album and set himself a programmed instrument. Only backed by Russell Chaney on drums and an harmonica player called Dangerous Dave Newman in some cuts, Mick has produced a well done album, intense but at the same time unpretentious, with no flamboyant decoration, full of good intentions and commitment for what they are doing. The album may satisfy or not but what is undeniable is Mick Clarke does his best in this new collection of twelve own songs. For many English fans Clarke is called to become the new Rory Gallaher but in my opinion it is daring to say it, as both musicians keep huge differences in sound, concept, technique, phrasing and blues spirit, although the true thing is there are different opinions and tastes and all deserve respect. If you liked his previous cds, or you already are Mick Clarke�s fans, then I'm sure this "The Rambunctious Blues Experiment" will satisfy all the expectations you have placed on him. VERY GOOD. Vicente Zumel

NEW RE-ISSUES

BGO Records have now re-issued six Mick Clarke CDs in three double album packages - all three are now in the shops, featuring "West Coast Connection" recorded in Portland Oregon 1988 with "Steel and Fire" produced by Mike Vernon, "Tell The Truth" coupled with "No Compromise" and "Roll Again" with "Live in Luxembourg". The albums have been remastered and come with full colour booklets containing original photos and new notes by Mick.

UK distribution is by Universal - digital distribution by Proper Music

Available from Amazon - iTunes and all normal outlets, direct from BGO or from our own CD SHOP




SOLID GROUND


The previous album Solid Ground is available on Taxim Records, Germany. Buy direct from our CD SHOP.
Or download direct from
Mick Clarke - Solid Ground
Also available from eMusic Napster and Amazon MP3

Full Information


"This is the thirteenth release from this London based local legend - a master of UK based blues-rock. All tracks are originals, and nine of those give you just what you would expect from a man of Mick's pedigree. Right from the opener "How Many Times" it's good solid guitar-led rock, featuring Mr Clarke's gravel intoned vocal. For the most part though, it must be said, we are covering fairly well travelled ground here. The lyrical subject matter is exemplified in the titles "Graveyard Shift" "It Don't Stop Rockin'" "Jesus and the Devil" and "Fightin' Blues". What lifts this collection a little out of ordinary is the inclusion of three instrumentals and "Haphazard Man", with its Cab Calloway-esque arrangement, and a far lighter, more melodic touch on the vocal. There's variety in the instrumentals, "Whassat!" has the feel of one of those late 60s / early 70s tracks that were often featureed on albums at that time. "Tatouine" (don't know if this is a Starwars inspired miss spelling or not) takes us on to a late 70s / early 80s timeline, with a much more sophisticated feel. Then to complete the trilogy, there is a nice piece of fingerpicking, on "Horsebolt Stomp" which is enlivened by some nice harp in the second half. It all goes to prove there is more to life than just rock."
Thomas Rankin - Bluesmatters Magazine November 2009

Regular airplay on radio stations worldwide -
Please keep our music out there and request a track on BB King's Bluesville - XM Satellite Radio - click here and follow the "request a song" link.
RADIO STATIONS - to request a promo CD contact us here

Check out WWOZ from New Orleans Great non-stop blues and jazz programming from the Crescent City - click on the link to listen live



Video


Mick plays "Good Morning Blues" at the 100 Club, Oxford St, London. Dangerous Dave, Eddie Masters, Russell Chaney. Video by Hazze Sjoberg. Sound editing by Dan Cooper.


Mick and the band at the Bluesrocking Summerfest in Sala, Sweden, sharing the bill with an international line-up including Gwyn Ashton and Joe Bonamassa. "I'm in the Mood" with Mick on slide along with Dangerous Dave on harp, Eddie Masters bass and Russell Chaney on drums. Thanks to our friend Hazze Sjoberg for the video. Just hit play and be ready to lie on your side for a minute or two in the middle.



Note from Mick:
"Many people were named Michael Clarke in the baby boom years after the war.. there are a few of us out there, and some are now posting videos on Youtube. This can cause confusion. To be clear:
I was not born in 1948, I have never recorded a version of "The Stumble" or a song called "Second Hand Love", I was never a member of The Rubettes, Orang Utan, The Roy Young Band, Long John Baldry Band, Doris Troy Band. I am not the Michael Clarke Band, The Mike Clarke Band, or the Mark Click Band (copyright Mick Hawksworth). Please take care when browsing Youtube.. enjoy but listen carefully!
Thanks, Mick

More Mick Clarke Youtubes



Record News

Check out SPOTIFY and listen free to the new "Rambunctious" album, "Happy Home", "New Mountain" and other MC albums. You can also pay a small fee for advert free listening or buy downloads.

Mick's American releases on Burnside "Happy Home" and "New Mountain" have been reissued by Allegro Records and are also now available on iTunes and other download outlets.

The first Killing Floor album has been re-released on Repertoire Records Germany with new sleeve notes by Chris Welch. The band has now started work on material for a new Killing Floor album, which will be its fourth.





Press

Brand New Interview with Mick and Bill Thorndycraft of Killing Floor "It's Psychedelic Baby!" Just click on the logo.. Read interviews with Mick on the LET IT ROCK website by courtesy of Dmitri Epstein and the ROCKMANDU site from Nepal. More at Reviews & Features



Tour in Brief

Coming up: Exclusive MC Band club date in Switzerland.

Recent highlights: The Norretljes Blues and Rock Festival in Sweden, SALT re-union tour, and a great night at the Skegness Rock and Blues Festival with Ric Lee's Blues Project.. many thanks to Ric and Bob Hall for putting it together.

Previously the Viana do Castelo Blues Festival, Portugal, the Trescore British Blues Festival, Italy, Blues at Sea, Sweden and more.

Details in the TOUR DIARY

Photo from the 100 Club, London









Brief Bio

Since beginning his solo career in the early 80s Mick has become an established name on the European blues scene, touring regularly in every country from Finland down to Italy. Praised for his fiery "straight from the wood" guitar sound, he has appeared on numerous festivals with artists such as Robert Cray, Johnny Winter and the late Rory Gallagher.

Recent tours have included appearances at the Baden Blues Festival in Switzerland, "Rock at Sea" in Stockholm, Sweden, Harelbeke Rock and Blues in Belgium and the Bragdoya Blues Festival in Norway. In 2005 Mick joined the the British Blues All Stars to headline the Saturday night at the Great British R&B Festival in Colne, England .. also featuring Kim Simmonds and Maggie Bell.

Mick has also toured several times in the U.S.A. and appeared with artists such as Johnny Winter,Canned Heat, Big Jay McNeely and C.J.Chenier plus rock shows with Foghat, Savoy Brown and the Paladins. The Southern California Blues Society called him "One of the finest blues players to come out of England".

Mick began his career with Killing Floor, part of the British blues boom of the late 60s. The band backed Texas blues guitar star Freddie King and toured with legends such as Howlin' Wolf and Otis Spann. Recently the original band got together again to record a brand new CD and play new festival dates around Europe. In the mid 70s Mick worked with Stevie Smith in the hard rocking four piece SALT building a great reputation on the British live scene.

Mick is currently planning new festival and club dates with the Mick Clarke Band as well as other projects.



Some Live Highlights

Mick with Killing Floor and Freddie King, 1969 Alcamo Blues 2000, Sicily

Piazza Blues Festival 2004, Bellinzona, Switzerland

Big Blues 2002, Luxembourg, w/ Bo Diddley

Bluesrocking Summerfest 2007, Sweden w/ Joe Bonnamassa

Belgium R&B Festival, Peer, Belgium, w/ Robert Cray

Bonn Blues Festival, Bonn, Germany, w/ Rory Gallagher

Tanzbrunnen Open Air, Cologne, Germany, w/ Johnny Winter

Waterfront Blues Festival, Portland, Oregon, U.S.A w/ Elvin Bishop

Reading Festival 1977, England (SALT) w/ Thin Lizzy

Great British R&B Festival 2005, Colne, England (British Blues Allstars)

New Victoria Theatre, London 1977, England (SALT) w/ Muddy Waters

Manchester Free Trade Hall 1969, England (Killing Floor) w/ Howlin' Wolf, Freddie King



Some Live Reviews

ROCKING THE BLUES FESTIVAL, TRING 12/3/2005    (BLUES IN BRITAIN MAGAZINE)

...the Mick Clarke Band took to the stage and things moved up a gear with their have a good time rockin blues, kicking off with Mick Clarke's "Cheap". This is a chugging shuffle with a big riff followed by the swinging "Looking for Trouble" from the recent "Live in Luxembourg" cd. Cooling the tempo for a few minutes with a James Cotton slow blues "Love Me Or Leave Me" and back up with some rockin' slide guitar on "London Town", originally on Mick's last studio cd "New Mountain". Mick Clarke really does put his all into every show and this was no exception. He knows how to have a good time and this is infectious, spreading through the audience and his band of seasoned musicians in the shape of ex Sassafrass drummer Chris Sharley, Dave Rea on bass and Dave (ex Blodwyn Pig, Ginger Baker and loads more) Lennox on keyboards. Mick Clarke showed his appreciation of Rory Gallagher with a Rory style slide guitar version of Muddy Waters "I Wonder Who" (Rory would have definitely approved). Then all hell was let loose as Mick broke a string, changed guitar and his strap came off and his amp temporarily packed up. But you need more than this to put a good guitarist down and the Mick Clarke Band finished with a Willie Dixon fast boogie style "You Need Love" and finally the slide came out for a fast rocking version of Chuck Berry's "!Don't You Lie To Me"


BANK HOLIDAY BLUES SUNDAY @The Stables, Milton Keynes 27/3/2005    (BLUES MATTERS! MAGAZINE)

Featuring: Mick Clarke Band, Ian Siegal, Gwyn Ashton, Marcus Malone. The Stables have come up with a cracking package for this Easter Sunday (should've had Blues at Ten but I think they fell out with each other). I was a bit late and unfortunately missed most of Mick Clarke's set but what I did catch gave me a good indication of what a fine band (drums, bass, keys and guitar) Mick has. Muddy's "Trouble After A While" is the first tune I caught and Muddy's soul was there in Mick's slide playing. The other tune was a fine boogie; "Lie to Me" had Mick again in fine guitaring form. To Mick's credit though he still signed my "Killing Floor" album cover after promising faithfully to catch a full set next time. Al Tait





Mick Clarke uses Gibson, Fender Squier and Danelectro electric guitarsTanglewood electro acoustic guitars, Marshall amplication and GHS Strings with Graph Tech accessories.







Mick says: "keep rockin!"