So Rebellious A Lover＜Blue Vinyl＞

87年デュオ唯一作がLP再発!
79年にのちGO-GO'SのKATHY VALENTINEやパワポ・ソロで著名なPHIL SEYMOURらとともにTEXTONESを結成、84年作『MIDNIGHT MISSION』などヒット・アルバムをものにし、80年代後半からはソロとしてのソングライター活動やBOB DYLAN、JOHN FOGERTY、DON HENRY等々のサポート・ミュージシャンとしても活動、MICK TAYLORとの共演アルバムでも有名なルーツ系女性ギタリスト&カントリー・シンガーCARLA OLSON。 いわずと知れた初期BYRDSを牽引したGENE CLARKとのデュオによる共演唯一作。OLSONによるカントリー・フォーク逸品"THE DRIFTER"に"ARE WE STILL MAKING LOVE"、CLARKによる自伝的な"GYPSY RIDER"などなど、OLSONのパワフルなヴォーカルとクラークのソウルフルなパフォーマンスが光ります。 91年のCLARKの死によって唯一の競演スタジオ・アルバムとなったことが悔やまれます。

An exquisite pairing of talent, the duo of Carla Olson and Gene Clark apparently came out of casual living room sessions while Clark was preparing for another project. The feeling of spontaneity and closeness of spirit engulfs all of the cuts here. Olson's strident and powerful vocals mesh beautifully with Clark's slightly world-weary, soulful performances. As for the material, both songwriters obviously put their best foot forward here. Olson's "The Drifter" and "Are We Still Making Love" are excellent country-folk outings. Clark contributes one of his finest later compositions, "Gypsy Rider," a multi-leveled song that can easily be viewed as autobiographical. Excellent support is provided by an array of backing musicians, especially Stephen McCarthy (lap steel and dobro) and guest Chris Hillman (mandolin). Chemistry is the operative word here. The only sad thing is that So Rebellious a Lover was to be the only studio effort by the duo before Clark passed away in 1991. This record is important not only for what it is, but for what it could have become. ~ Matthew Greenwald