Releasing a double disc album would be a daunting task for any artist yet here is a virtually unknown (to many) Bryan Clark doing just that with his ambitious release “Gossip, Inspiration & Slander.”  A virtuoso on the guitar and able to play virtually any other instrument (something he does on one disc, Bryan Clark wrote or co-wrote all but two tracks on the album, which were traditional songs that he arranged.  The last country music artist to have similar credentials is Vince Gill and while the two artists have different voices, the comparison is an apt one as like Vince did on his “These Days,” Bryan Clark has separated his “Acoustic” songs from his “Electric” songs and on the Electric disc, Clark has songs that range from the Lyle Lovett-like “Bumper To Bumper” to Elvis Costello-like “Midnight Kisses.” 

The rest of the “Electric” disc features some smooth grooves (“Nights Like These”) Texas pop/rock/country ballads like “You Follow Me” and a fun New Orleans bluesy number “Don’t Blame Me.”  It’s a well-crafted amplified album that is a perfect example of the “Americana” genre label as it touches upon most forms of American music.  Fans of strong acoustic or bluegrass music will really enjoy the acoustic album.  Here, “Angelyne” sounds much more vibrant and fresh and virtuosic than it did on the ‘electric’ album and quite frankly the song recalls, both vocally and musically New Grass Revival. 

Elsewhere on the acoustic disc, we are treated to another acoustic version of a song heard on the electric disc, “Midnight Kisses.”  Vocally Bryan still sounds as if he’s inspired by Elvis Costello but instead of sounding like a soft rock song, the song sounds like something out of the Alison Krauss and Union Station canon.  Bluegrass fans will remember “Blackberry Blossom” and “Bill Cheatum” and both are inspired instrumental workouts that will please fans of solid, well-constructed roots music.  “Kiss The Bride” is another case of an excellent New Grass Revival-like track.

While releasing “Gossip, Inspiration and Slander” as a double disc album was certainly a risky endeavor, Bryan Clark has certainly come out of it with an album that is well-written, played and produced.  “Gossip, Inspiration and Slander” isn’t a mainstream release but that’s fine because there’s likely no way a mainstream artist would be allowed to release something like this double disc album.  It certainly feels like it’s one of the better Americana releases of the year so far and one that fans of roots music should be on the lookout for. 

You can purchase the album at amazon (acoustic) (electric) or itunes (acoustic) (electric) or get the CD at Brian's website.