one great instrumental guitar album one part of the commotions! *****
by Tim Weinheimer – Jun 6, 2010 – iTunes US Second Story Sunlight review
Neil Clark is his own muse on this album, his work in the past with Lloyd Cole and the Commotions shines thru on this one. This is his, he takes you on a musical journey with his guitar thru different style nuances. Buy it now !
Opening it up *****
by Siggg1 – 05-Jun-2010 – iTunes Australia Second Story Sunlight review
Neil Clark’s followup to Sundogs shows what a versatile musician he is. He is not merely one of the great guitarists, but also on this album shows his ability with recording, mastering and multiple instrument skills.
Favourite tracks for me are Half Light Hot World showing off a rhythm and bassline that would do The Police proud. Let’s Go To The River, Sunwashed, the way the ambient electronic noises like fireflies echo around Teasoot and blend into Elevator Park, blending two very different tracks. Ultramarine shows Neil’s new band in full flight.
With Neil’s first release, Sundogs, he employed ambient guitar laying against himself to create a mood. This new album opens it up and shows why he is such a great musician and songwriter. Five starts from me.
Lloyd Cole on Sundogs, 2009
Neil was the guitarist in the Commotions and probably needs no introduction here. If I ever play guitar not too badly it’s because I’m trying to channel either him or James Taylor…
Guitar is a tough instrument as the lead (for a whole tune) but he’s got the balance just right on this collection. It’s almost minimalist, which I’m sure Neil would agree is a near miracle, but it isn’t quite – there’s just the right amount of harmony and counter rhythm. He’s also become a great engineer – these pieces are beautifully recorded. Needless to say, the paying is deft, soulful and everything else you’d hope it would be. He’s channeling Frissell one minute and Keith the next, but he’s so much his own man that he doesn’t sound even slightly derivative (except a few of the keyboards here and there which sound like me ;) ).
Michael Snyder, San Francisco Chronicle, June 12, 1994
LLOYD COLE BAD VIBES
” The musicians who back Cole are stellar session players,
including Matthew Sweet, Fred Maher and ex-Commotion Neil
Clark. They are tasteful and evocative in the work.”
Lloyd Cole and The Commotions – Glasgow Barrowlands – Tuesday 12th October 2004
Stefan Teux, Celtic Roots
“…..Introduced by Glasgow Music Journalist Billy Sloan the crowd were transported back to 1984 as Guitarist Neil Clark kicked out the riff to “Rattlesnakes”. The band sounded like they had never been away as they played through their back catalogue. Obviously tracks from “Rattlesnakes” featured heavily with “Speedboat”, “Perfect Skin” and “Patience” being real crowd pleasers. Some of the best tracks came from the bands other albums though. The audience went wild as the programmed drum loop introduced “Brand New Friend” from “Easy Pieces” which along with “Lost Weekend” were real highlights. The Commotions final album “Mainstream” was not forgotten with “From The Hip” coming early in the set and great versions of “My Bag”, “Jennifer She Said”, “Mister Malcontent” and a harmonica led “Sean Penn Blues” spread throughout the evening. For the encore we were treated to “Four Flights Up” and “Are You Ready To Be Heartbroken?” with Clarks rippling acoustic guitar pattern. The audience still wanted more and the band returned for a knockout version of “Forest Fire” where again Neil Clark’s guitar work was nothing short of stunning.”
BBC Website 2003 MIAFL review
“…..10 simple and beautiful songs. Several of these feature ex-Commotion Neil Clark and are clearly the better for it. His distinct guitar riffs perfectly compliment Cole’s vocals. Nowhere is this more obvious than with the wonderful final number, “Shelf Life”. Clark’s guitar repeats a simple rhythm while Lloyd softly sings about honesty and growing old.”
TIME OUT N.Y. Bowery Ballroom Listing, Monday December 21st 1998
“Another added treat: Cole will be joined by his former sidekick, occasional cosongwriter and ex-Commotions guitarist Neil Clark (one of the more underappreciated musicians in the business). Supplying COle’s thoughtful guitar pop with added bounce will be hiscurrent backing band, the Negatives, featuring Jill Sobule.”
Rick Batey, Guitar Magazine, November 1998.
“Don’t ignore the work of original Commotions guitarist Neil Clark. ‘Neil is incredibly overlooked’,
Cole opines. ‘People talk about Johnny Marr and John Squire, but I think Neil deserves just as much
credit. The guitars on Rattlesnakes were really down to him….. Some of the the things he played were
unbelievable.’
Clark’s accomplished style came from a simultaneous love of two disparate influences: classic pop a la Buffalo
Springfield and a heap of jazzers, from Miles Davis and John Coltrane to Ralph Towner. Hence clean, perfectly-voiced
arpeggiated patterns and georgeously melodic solos, like the feedback-strewn classic that adorns Forest Fire.”