Tell the Truth

         

01 Swear to Tell the Truth
02 Murderers' Home
03 Cheap
04 Gypsy Woman
05 Rockin' the Blues
06 Walking in the Dark
08 She Moves Me
09 The Killingest Place
10 Crazy 'bout a Woman
11 Second Hand Dream
12 New Star over Texas

Mick Clarke - Guitar / Vocals
Mike Hirsh - Drums
Lou Martin - Keyboards
Mick Phillips - Bass
Dave Newman - Harp

Recorded at Elephant Recording Studio, London, January 1991
Engineer - Nick Robbins
Produced by Mick Clarke and Nick Robbins
Executive Producer - Hans Pohle


Mick writes:

1991 was a busy period for the Mick Clarke Band. Since the mid eighties we'd been touring more and more in Europe as well as regular trips to the U.S.A. and the band was a full time touring line-up.

However, Kerry Canfield, who had played keyboards on the previous album had gone back home to the States and for the new album I called in my friend Lou Martin to handle the keys, which he did with his usual flair. Dave Newman had now joined the band full time and was playing great harp, alongside our regular drummer and bass player, Mike Hirsh and Mick Phillips.

So it was back to our favourite studio, Elephant in Wapping, London, with a bunch of new songs to put down. Several tracks have since become firm favourites, both on record and on stage. "Cheap" has become a regular stage opener, and "Rockin' The Blues" a rockin' blues favourite - also appearing on the compilation "Bompa Boogie", compiled by Belgium's Dr Boogie and released on Virgin Records.

"Crazy 'Bout A Woman" and "Second Hand Dream" have both become well known over the years, and the Stevie Ray tribute "New Star Over Texas" and 'Walking in the Dark' have become two of my most popular tracks for streaming.

"Tell The Truth" is still certain peoples' favourite MC album.. I think it's the mix of easy shuffles and warm sounding instrumentals, and on a personal note, I still think it's the best guitar sound I ever recorded. The album is bluesier than some other records that I've made - Time Out magazine in London called it "Raw Roadhouse blues and boogie".. that'll do.

Most of the tracks from 'Tell the Truth' are available online in my compilation 'Classic Cuts'. The album has also been released on CD along with 'Steel and Fire'No Compromise' on BGO Records.