Album Review: This One's for Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark by Various Artists

The Texas-born singer-songwriter Guy Clark turned 70 at the end of last year, and a remarkable Who's Who of country and folk celebrities celebrate with this 30-track reminder of why his work is so revered. He's an inventive, highly original lyricist, and the best of his carefully crafted songs mix a fine eye for detail with a brave narrative sweep: a single moment, or an object, can be used as the starting point for a condensed, often poignant story. Each song features a different lead singer, with backing mostly provided by a small house band that includes multi-instrumentalist Shawn Camp, who sings the bleak and thoughtful Homeless.

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Guy Clark is the pre-eminent Texas singer-songwriter. Along with his old friend Townes Van Zandt, Clark has influenced every Lone Star notable from Jerry Jeff Walker to Lyle Lovett to Willie Nelson to James McMurtry to Terry Allen to Ray Wylie Hubbard to Rosie Flores to Robert Earl Keen to Joe Ely to Terri Hendrix to Jack Ingram to Hayes Carll – all of whom appear on this tribute album. But Clark’s inspiration goes further than the state border.

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This One’s For Him: A Tribute to Guy ClarkVarious Artists(Icehouse)Rating: At the Austin lovefest staged in November for Guy Clark’s 70th birthday, more than half of the 30-some artists included on the album This One’s For Him: A Tribute To Guy Clark showed up to pay homage to their songwriting hero. “I’ve known Guy 40 years,” Rodney Crowell said. “I’m still shooting to reach the bar Guy set.” Added Lyle Lovett: “I wouldn’t be anywhere if it weren’t for Guy Clark.” Radney Foster admitted, “‘L.A.

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Tributes either enhance all involved or fail miserably. There's rarely a middle ground. This 2-CD set honors the dean of Texas songwriters' turning 70 by having contemporaries (Jerry Jeff, Willie), protégés (Steve Earle, Rodney Crowell, Lyle Lovett), and other Americana types (Kevin Welch, James McMurtry, Radney Foster) render his songs, 30 in all.

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