W.C. Clark

W.C. Clark

When listening to Deep in the Heart it's important to remember that soul music is basically gospel music for the laity. Five decades of playing and touring have given the noted Austin guitarist W.C. Clark the master's touch, one that doesn't need a rap break anywhere to be hip. Instead, the 14 tracks on Deep in the Heart are rendered with a faithful, soulful restraint that doesn't preclude a little roof-raising ("Cold Blooded Lover"). Besides tapping Mark Kazanoff for production duties, Clark invited a stellar group of pals to participate, including Derek O'Brien, Riley Osbourn, Nick Connolly, Larry Fulcher, and Frosty. Yet it's the duets that stand out here, and no wonder. Marcia Ball matches Clark with panache on "Soul Kind of Loving" and "You Left the Water Running," adding piano to the former. With Ruthie Foster, Joe Tex's "I Want to Do Everything for You" rises above the rest, so beautifully and joyously do their voices blend. There are ballads (John Hiatt's "Tip of My Tongue"), smokin' covers (The Fabulous Thunderbirds' "Twist of the Knife"), and brass tacks ("Jaded Lady") – solid tunes that overcome the occasionally corny lyrics with meaty, Junior Parker-style blues ("My Texas Home"). W.C. Clark isn't likely to be suddenly embraced by the hip-hop nation, but Deep in the Heart is just what it says, nestled down deep where it counts. (CD release Friday, July 23 at the Saxon Pub.)