By GORDON GUILD
In the arena of Texas singer-songwriters there are travelers, there are newcomers, and there are legends. Sunday night, Kansas City's Knuckleheads was treated to one of those legends. Guy Clark's songwriting has stood the test of time, spinning picturesque tales of extreme imagery while using simple language and structure.
The audience was very subdued and quiet with anticipation; almost
too quiet. (Last night was probably the only night you'll hear an
announcement that a Mercedes SUV's lights were left on at
Knuckleheads.) An announcement was made that Guy Clark would be
performing two sets, and that everyone turn off their cell phones. This
set the tone for a very reverent crowd. For example, during "Homegrown
Tomatoes," a very popular song for the most basic Clark fan, there was
no audience participation, creating awkwardness within the jam-packed
venue. (An example of this type of wide-eyed reverence: During the
break one guy told me that he intends to plant a tomato plant on his
best friend's gravesite to show his appreciation for turning him onto
Clark.)
As he took the stage, Clark announced that there was no real set
list and invited requests. From the crowd, someone yelled for the song
Stuff the Works; Clark responded, "Works for me," and laid into the
tune. Clark composes songs of short stories showcasing both the hard
and easy sides of living. Narratives of escaping Los Angeles, tornadoes
ripping tattoos off arms, and falling in love with prostitutes are all
part of Clarks' lyrical catalog. A new song Clark performed was
"Hemingway's Whiskey," proclaiming that if the drink was "bad enough
for him (Hemingway), it's bad enough for me."
At the conclusion
of the show and the encore, the crowd showed their appreciation with a
rousing standing ovation. Many stayed to get autographs and photos with
Clark. Maybe the overly quiet crowd wasn't awkward after all; Kansas
City was simply in awe.
*We apologize for the lack of live photography - blame a camera malfunction. We'll do better next time, we promise.
Set 1
Stuff That Works
L.A. Freeway
Texas 1947
Cape
Hemmingway's Whiskey
Homegrown Tomatoes
Out In the Parkin' Lot
Let Him Roll
Set 2
Someday the Song Writes You
Tornado Time in Texas
Magdalene
Picasso's Mandolin
Desperados Waiting For a Train
Old Friends
Boats to Build
Randall Knife
Dublin Blues
The Guitar
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