ALBUM REVIEW
Mike Clifford
BACKROADS IN BARE FEET
©2010 Late Bloom Records
Review by Lucky Boyd
Co-Founder, MyTexasMusic.com
Mike Clifford’s 2010
release is a essentially a story of three Mikes. There’s the artistic Mike
on “You Should Have Told Me” in which Clifford uses stylish arrangements to
cross over into places he’s not usually seen. The song has country elements
and a Latin feel using instrumentation you won’t find on the bulk of
Clifford’s work. There’s the troubadour Mike on “Famous,” and “Little Baby
Girl” in which Clifford showcases two sides of his songwriting prowess. On
“Famous,” Clifford proves he can create a story within meter that, even if
you’re expecting the storyline, can give you enough diversion to keep
interest in an otherwise bland one-four-five talker. Clifford takes a
behind-the-scenes look at an age old quagmire of the music business – how to
get famous. You’ll hear him dance close to the jest of Coe’s “The Ride” and
even pays homage with a familiar musical interlude from the much-covered
hit. Destined to be a crowd favorite, the track could garner some airplay
if the jocks can overlook the five minute issue. When “Little Baby Girl”
played for the first time, I had to check my player to see if I had
accidentally loaded a john Arthur martinez song. By the chorus I knew it
was Clifford, but his style and delivery was mindful of jAm and that’s a
level of songwriting you don't rise to overnight. I believe Clifford can
hold his own next to jAm in the songwriting category. It might be a while
before he pens as many tunes as jAm, but he can already hold his own with
respect to imagery and passion. That’s half the battle of songwriting.
There’s the performer Mike on the title track and “West Texas Sun.” Listen
closely and you’ll hear Clifford morph from one track to another, easing his
way in and out of each distinct persona, bringing the one most suited for
the track. This is not a totally themed record, but many of the songs tie
to the title and help fuel the laid back feel of the project. There aren’t
any rock anthems on this offering and Clifford is not trying to show you
that he can play jazz, blues, and hip hop on the same record. I truly
believe Clifford has hit a home run with this release. He has at least
three songs that will make outstanding radio releases, and three good
follow-ups. The promise of airplay from six of eleven cuts is something
every artist should aspire to. Clifford, with the release of his fourth
album, has mastered the formula. If a listener is a new Clifford fan,
they’ll be well off to purchase all the former material as well so that the
full Mike Clifford can be experienced. Clifford matures with each album,
and has made his mark on Texas music. This is the latest installment of a
stellar career and the success of this disc will likely inspire Clifford to
start recording again right away. Advice to Mike: let it simmer just a
bit, there’s a lot of mileage to be had from this one. Fellow MTM member,
Academy member, and TMA nominee Brennen Leigh appears on the record. The
list of pickers is first rate and the production is masterful. I don’t
usually rank records, but this one would get my highest rating if I did.
Clifford stays on genre, remains true to his art, and gives fans a reprise
of familiar sounds and a steady diet of uncharted territory. That’s what
superstars do. Good work from all three Mikes.
Return to the
Mike Clifford
page
