Ex-Byrd Gene Clark's early-'70s solo efforts, which rank alongside the recordings of the Flying Burrito Brothers and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young in terms of quality, vision, and appeal, have been unjustly overlooked. This is particularly true of NO OTHER, Clark's 1974 coup de grace. While the focus of NO OTHER's excellent predecessors WHITE LIGHT and ROADMASTER was on stripped down, passionate country-rock, NO OTHER pushes Clark's aesthetic to another level entirely. A cadre of female backing vocalists lend gospel-drenched color to the album, taking Clark's excellent compositions to church, and giving the whole a sanctified feel.
Amid the strummed acoustics and weeping pedal steel of songs like "Life's Greatest Fool" and "The True One," there is also the expansive, orchestral feel of "Strength of Strings" which sounds like the Moody Blues by way of the Delta, and the exceptional title track, which encompasses sinuous blues, a light, synthesizer-touched groove, and gospel dreaminess. An unbeatable team of session musicians gives the record a solid backbone, while producer Thomas Jefferson Kaye adds a high gloss that puts NO OTHER with best of radio-ready '70s rock. Still, it is ultimately Clark's unique, superior songwriting and reflective lyrics that make NO OTHER a treasure worth seeking out.
Listen as the grandiose drama of 'From A Silver Phial' unfolds and marvel at the epic Spectoresque wall of sound. Choirs and orchestras provide a rich backdrop of cocaine fuelled excess. The hugely influential title track 'No Other' dares to incorporate funk, soul and gospel. This is what Primal Scream were listening to when they recorded Screamadelica. It wouldn't sound out of place on a Sly & The Family Stone album (it is rumoured Sly was at the sessions). Elsewhere the moods shift between dark and light on the frothy country tinged pop of 'Life's Greatest Fool' and the moody acoustic epic 'Some Misunderstanding''. It will be your best friend through good times and bad. The soundtrack of your life.
1. Life's Greatest Fool
2. Silver Raven
3. No Other
4. Strength of Strings
5. From a Silver Phial
6. Some Misunderstanding
7. True One, The
8. Lady of the North
