About.com Rating
The Bottom Line
When a record company with taste buds the likes of Sugar Hill puts out a series of greatest hits CDs, you know you're in for some great music. Guy Clark's Americana Masters ... Best of the Sugar Hill Years is no exception. Clark's expertise is narrative story-songs, and Sugar Hill has done an exquisite job of compiling some of his best work in one place at one time.
Pros
- Magnolia Wind
- Sis Draper
- Mud
- A Little of Both
- Out in the Parking Lot
Cons
- None
Description
- Without a doubt, a collection of the best of Guy Clark's work
- Classic recordings spanning his whole career, as well as a few live performances
- Arguably the stand-out record from this Americana Masters Series
Guide Review - Guy Clark - Americana Masters Series ... Best of the Sugar Hill Years
When it comes to contemporary folk music's living legends, Guy Clark is one of the most deserving artists to live up to the title. His simplistic, earnest lyrics manage to not only conjure emotions, but can transport listeners to different scenes. He sings, "Ain't no money in poetry, that's what sets a poet free / I've had all the freedom I can stand."
Best-of records are generally intended either for superfans of the artist, or for people who want to get to know an artist's work without having to sift through their entire catalog to find the best songs.
For those purposes, Guy Clark's Americana Masters Series CD does a great job. The songs are taken from several points throughout his career, as well as from live performances.
The result feels a little disjointed at times, but is not enough to distract from the fact that Guy Clark is just one of the greatest living narrative songwriters. To that point, Sugar Hill has done a fabulous job of drawing attention to the best moments of Guy Clark's catalog.