Guy Clark
Better Days

Artist: Guy Clark
Title: Better Days
Release Year: 1983
Pressing Year: 1983
Pressing Location: Capitol Records Pressing Plant, Winchester
Label: Warner Bros Records
Catalog Number: 23880-1
Run-off Etching: 1-23880-A-WW3
Run-off Stamping: Masterfonics • ━◁
Format: 33 RPM • 12” Album • Stereo
UPC: 07599-23880-1

No one can accuse Guy Clark of rushing. This was his fifth album since 1975 and his first in two years. Not exactly cranking them out, Clark is far more concerned with his conception of quality. And this recording proved two things: not only that Clark was a writer of fine songs that other people could have hits with, but that he was a viable commercial entity on his own.

Once again produced by Rodney Crowell, this Clark record set and broke the mold simultaneously. Back in Nashville, Crowell assembled a crack team, including Vince Gill, who not only was making his name as a vocalist but also as a fine guitarist. Clark scored his first hit single with Homegrown Tomatoes, a radio-friendly, easy-drawling, silly little catchy tune that Clark liked despite its relatively light weight. But it was enough. Like Rita Ballou in second gear, the plucked steel strings, the muted percussion, and Clark's elegant phrasing make it the most summery tune he's ever written.

But there are better songs here such as his cover of Townes Van Zandt’s No Deal, the title track, Supply And Demand, and the chilling, deeply moving, haunted Randall Knife, an elegy for Clark's father. The song had been part of his live repertoire for some time but until now hadn't been recorded. It closes the record with the most astonishing silence, one that roars in the listener's ears long after the record is over and haunts him or her for the rest of their days.

By the time of this recording, Clark, who was already a fine and polished songwriter, had arrived at the full possession of his power as a storyteller, irony-ist, and musing philosopher of song.

Personnel: Guy Clark (lead vocals, guitar), Vince Gill (backing vocals, guitars), Emory Gordy (bass, guitar), Larrie Londin (drums), Hank DeVito (pedal steel guitar, guitar), Gary Nicholson, Reggie Young (guitars), Tony Brown (keyboards), Johnny Gimble (fiddle, mandolin), Rodney Crowell, Paul Kennerley (backing vocals).

NOTE: I base the condition of my vinyl records on Ebay's Grading System.

VINYL GRADE: VG+
Notes: Minimal surface noise. A good quick cleaning is all this one needs. No warping.

LABEL GRADE: VG+
Notes: Neither side has ring wear, tape, spindle wear, or writing. Standard rainbow WB shield logo on white with several gray WB shields ghosted on white. Text is black on white.

SLEEVE GRADE: VG
Notes: Original plain brown paper. Lyrics (cream text on dark brown) on one side; on the other side is a brown duo-tone band photo and liner notes (cream text on dark brown). No splits, no stains, no rips, no writing, no tape, some crinkles.

JACKET GRADE: VG
Notes: Light ring wear. No writing, no marks, no stains, no splits. Edges, corners, spine (readable) are worn. (See my original scan.)

Shipping is $4.00. NOTE: I will NOT be responsible for items lost or damaged in the mail.

Combined shipping: I will be happy to combine multiple items. If you buy more than one item from me, the shipping cost will be the highest original shipping fee plus $1 per additional item.

Payments managed by eBay.

This is not cut-out or a record-club pressing. It is the original issue.

Note: I haven't cleaned this 39-year-old record because everybody seems to prefer their own methods. I'll leave the cleaning up to the buyer. Also, I'm not a professional vinyl seller or buyer. This comes from my own collection. Bought at Books, Strings & Things in downtown Roanoke VA.

Enjoy the auction — and good luck!