Friday, March 13, 2009

TVD's Parting Shots

“Have song, will travel” as the saying almost goes. Yet, it’s never revealed how far one will indeed go with said talents.

In Gary Clark’s case--principal songwriter behind one-hit-wonders Danny Wilson and author of their global hit “Mary’s Prayer”--that distance would be ...well, a worldwide hit, “reaching number 3 in the UK, and the top 30 on the US Billboard Hot 100, earning him a BMI award, and a nomination for an Ivor Novello award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically,” Wiki informs me.

So, that’s pretty damn far to be honest. But after a less than successful follow up release to the LP that spawned that monster single...a solo release...and a handful of one-off projects, Gary's settled into a wildly successful career in LA behind the mixing board and writing for a host of varying talent as occasional member of The Matrix, the ubiquitous hit machine.

And that’s a damn shame, as Gary is not JUST a fine songwriter and producer, but also happens to be one of TVD’s favorite vocalists--quite deserving of a victory lap in his own right to carry this week’s theme just a bit farther.

So, 15 tracks lovingly selected and ordered for your listening pleasure from Gary’s splendid oeuvre. And while you literally may count 14 on that list, I’d stick around through the silence on that last one right there.

We’ll see you back here next week with some more victory laps and will happily take suggestions for YOUR must-see sprinters. All about wish-fulfillment here at ol’ TVD...


Danny Wilson - Imaginary Girl (Mp3)
Gary Clark - This Is Why, J. (Mp3)
Danny Wilson - Pleasure To Pleasure (Mp3)
Danny Wilson - Aberdeen (Demo) (Mp3)
Gary Clark - Learning To Do Without Me (George Jones Cover, Live) (Mp3)
Danny Wilson - Mary's Prayer (Mp3)
Gary Clark - Sara Smile (Hall & Oates Cover) (Mp3)
Danny Wilson - Aberdeen (Mp3)
Gary Clark - Saturday Night (Blue Nile Cover, Live) (Mp3)
King L - Life After You (Mp3)
Gary Clark - Any Sunday Morning (Mp3)
Danny Wilson - I Won't Be Here When You Get Home (Mp3)
Danny Wilson - The Ballad Of Me And Shirley Maclaine (Mp3)
King L - Lost and Found and Lost Again (Mp3)

"..the price of light is shade..."

TVD Victory Lap | Chet Baker

If there’s one guy who may have undermined his own victory lap, it’s Chet. Smooth as silk, West Coast ace of face, made a career of self-destruction and self-immolation. Yet, the tone his recordings evoke are peerless--and just perfect for your coming weekend’s very hazy late nights...

Chet Baker - Easy Living (Mp3)
Chet Baker - Tenderly (Mp3)
Chet Baker - Everything Depends On You (Mp3)
Chet Baker - These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You) (Mp3)
Chet Baker - Everything Happens To Me (Mp3)