Jim White and Clive Burns

[Nick Bidmade]

I went to a cracking gig last night to see Jim White. Jim is American and a strange character. He has suffered from serious mental health problems in the past and also found religion in a big way until, as he says, he began to identify with the sinners and being inept as a religious fanatic. His songs are often about desperation and despair and "living in the cross-hairs of coincidence". If all this sounds far too gloomy, he's also very funny and a great song writer.
He's on Spotify - I'd suggest 'A perfect day to chase tornadoes' from 'The Wrong-Eyed Jesus' album, or 'Still Waters' or 'Prisoner in my own Mind' from an album called 'Transnormal Skiperoo'. Honey-coated country music it aint!
However, the main reason for posting is that he was backed by Clive Burns, who I had not previously heard of.
He's Irish, so some of our colleagues there may well know more about him. He opened the show with some songs of his own, but his acoustic country-blues slide playing was astonishing. rapid fire runs, stomping blues lines, playing behind the bar - he had the lot! Absolutely stunning. He also backed Jim White, playing mainly on a Gretch White Falcon guitar. What a player! The best guitarist you've never heard of!

[Nick Bidmade]

I can't believe no-one has stepped in to identify Clive and give some more info.
Last Saturday night he played a version of 'Crossroad Blues'. Now, there are some tunes a guitarist shouldn't touch unless they are really good. Well, Clive's version would have had Robert Johnson back at the Crossroads, trying to buy his soul back from the Devil so he could take up the trumpet. Someone must know more.