Album Notes

Start with a powerful, soulful vocalist. Back him with rhythm steadier than the Rock of Gibraltar. Add the twang of swingin' guitar and a hot honking harmonica straight from the south side of anywhere and you've got Bernie Clarke & the Rhythm Sharks. Take their new CD, Love Recession, for a spin and you'll understand why they've been twice nominated for a SAMMY (Syracuse Area Music Award) in the "Best Blues Band" category. The Rhythm Sharks shine a spotlight on their own original material as well as eclectic selections from deep in the well of blues, soul and roots music. You'll travel the musical road of Americana from the urban jump of New York to West Coast Swing. Hear the blues and funk of Chicago then hot shuffles and swamp boogie of Texas and Louisiana. The Rhythm Sharks cover a lot of road and keep your motor running.


...when I'm looking for a band to drive my blues away, one of the first groups I check out is Bernie Clarke & The Rhythm Sharks. With their tight grooves and expansive repertoire, they have what it takes to rock the house every time...Fronting it all is Bernie Clarke himself, calling the shots and keeping things hot. His powerful voice cuts a swath thorough any groove, and he takes the same high-energy approach to his harp playing. Bernie's taste is reflected in the great grab-bag of tunes ready to leap off this disc, everything from slow blues to frenetic boogies to deep soul. There's even a shufflin' reprise of Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now." Bernie puts his heart into everything he does, and the results are here for you to savor. So set these Sharks to circling on your nearest disc player. They're guaranteed to take a bite out of your blues.

-Tom Townsley- Host of WAER's Sunday Night Blues
contributing reviewer- Blues Review
blues musician extrodinaire


Bernie Clarke & The Rhythm Sharks... outrageous! Bernie has a great band...Totally too much fun!

-Jimmy Murphy Director- NYS Rhythm & Blues Festival



Bernie Clarke & the Rhythm Sharks have become mainstays in the crowded Central New York blues scene for a couple of good reasons.

Two of them are Clarke's vocals and harp blowing.

He lets loose on ramblers, ballads and more on this mix of clever originals and well-chosen covers.

With Seth Rochford always steady on guitar, Dan Troiano always under control on bass and Hymie Whithoft always setting the right pace on drums, the Sharks know how to translate a good groove.

On the disc, Dan "Cato" joins the regular foursome on piano, Hammond B-3 organ and sax.

Rochford's "Good Luck/Bad Luck" and "Married Man" deserve frequently repeated listening to best appreciate his neat wordplay. And as far as cool covers go, Ted Hawkins' "Sweet Baby" and Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly" are as sweet as the blues can be.

Put it on when: You want the thrilling combination of bitter and sweet that only well-played blues can provide.

-Mark Bialczak-Syracuse Post Standard