Jamie Clark – Blind Contour

Original and traditional tunes from Country, Bluegrass, Irish and Blues sources arranged and played on a solo guitar.

Jamie Clark – Blind Contour by Ian Dearden
To (misquote) that sainted pair, Roy and HG, there are times when too much finger picking is just not quite enough. Brisbane guitar legend Jamie Clark has, in this (almost) solo album, provided enough finger picking to turn guitarists green with envy at his chops, leaving the rest of the population to delight in his mastery of the tunes on offer. Jamie’s playing is superb, but he’s not a flashy over player – he gets the balance between skill and melody just right! Jamie truly is an extraordinarily versatile performer, turning his hand from jazz-playing journeyman to James Morrison, “play anything” guitarist in the annual “Women in Voice” seasons at the Qld Performing Arts Centre, playing as one half of a contemporary folk duo with the wonderful Leah Cotterell (who guests on vocals on “What A Friend I Had In You”), as well as performing in an alt.country band, and heaven knows what else. This album, recorded in 2004, is primarily a showcase for Jamie’s acoustic guitar skills, moving effortlessly from celtic to country, bluegrass, ragtime, blues and African tunes (“The Ox Cart Song” features Fatima on mbira and Jamie playing hypnotic, mbira-influenced guitar). If it’s not already obvious, I think this album is fabulous, and yet again proves what an amazing well of talent we have in the fair city of Brisbane. Long may it continue!