Clark Carlton
Salt Water
© 2000 Laguna de Queso Music (634479164620)
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Openly gay singer/songwriter with powerful voice, jazzy guitar style, confessional lyrics, haunting melodies and eclectic arrangments -- a fearless, unexpected original.
tracks
- 1 Matthew
- 2 The Sugar Zone
- 3 Shine
- 4 Rainbow on the Moon
- 5 Salt Water
- 6 Never Be Hurt
- 7 True Friend
- 8 Moonless Night
- 9 Everybody's New
- 10 Love Song to Whomever
- 11 Boys on the Sand
- 12 Most of All
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notes
A friend of mine who has never seen me naked has the theory that I am actually a lesbian. "Look, Clark, you like softball, flannel shirts, and monogamy. You play the guitar -- you're a lesbian." Well, I'm not, but sometimes I do feel like I have more in common with my gay sisters than my gay brothers.
Gay men are not well represented in rock music -- we have Moby, Stipe, Elton John, Little Richard, and we had Freddy Mercury, but not too many others. I've always loved rock and never had much fondness for the musical genres that gay men generally prefer: opera, Broadway, dance music, the pop divas. A lot of "gay music" is escapist by nature, or our feelings are expressed clandestinely through characters in a musical or the love songs of women to men. I wanted to dive in and sing songs from a neglected cluster of feelings and situations that is seldom expressed directly in our music. I also wanted to sing these songs with accompaniment by guitar, instead of the piano which is the more expected instrument for a gay musician.
None of the famous singer/songwriters are gay men -- we haven't got our own Dylan, Leonard Cohen or Joni Mitchell. My actual day job is working as a writer, a screen writer these days, but one of the reasons I didn't go into music is because I couldn't have stayed in the closet and used the pronoun "she" in my lyrics. I have always wanted to sing my feelings openly and naturally with the pronoun I prefer and not have to make an issue of it.
My discovery by a gay music producer has allowed me to fulfill a dream and record this album of songs. SALT WATER has been popular with dee jays on public radio who initially were curious about my being "a gay Dylan", a guitar playing poet singing directly about the homosexual experience. What some of those dee jays and their listeners discovered is that these are universal, heart felt songs. Some are happy, some are sad, and most of them deal with the particular complexities of finding a lasting relationship. The most frequent adjective people use to describe my music is "haunting". Straight males and women seem to like my music the most, but many gay men have written to tell me that at last, someone is singing something for them in a way they only imagined.
Musically, my guitar playing has been influenced by Metheny, Mitchell, McLaughlin and Pete Townsend. Like Sting, my arrangements feature the flavors of a variety of ethnic styles, especially India, Africa and Brazil. My producer is a Brit and his taste for whimsy, ABBA and dance beats made for some interesting contrasts. My singing voice is completely my own and has been called "big", "powerful", "emotional" and "butch". I do feel like I sing from my balls up.
I wrote and sing these songs from the deepest place inside me. I hope they make you laugh, swoon, cry and feel connected.
For more about me check out: http://www.stonewallsociety.com/clarkcarlton.htm
reviews
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Sweet!
author: David MayI really enjoy this CD. It's not perfect, but it's alternately moving or amusing, and almost always captivating. *Matthew* seemed to this listener to be the weakest track on the CD; the trouble with topical songs being that they're topical, their sincerity too often weighed down with the kind of cliches one associates with Wimmin's Music from the 1970s. But the rest of the CD, while just as heartfelt, rings truer. The title song is subtly erotic and very moving. "Boys on the Sand" was a particular delight for this listener who grew up in Southern California in the 1960s listening to the Beach Boys. Carlton has a great voice with a masculine timber that made this listener shiver with pleasure; if one were only twenty years young and single!
ok
author: Ricky MorganThis is an ok cd. I enjoyed it. But was disappointed to get the cd in a case without a cd booklet. What you see in the pic is all you get. I think the cd is a bit expensive for what you are getting!
Heartfelt and powerful
author: geobirdClark sings of love, loss, and hope. Though he sings of his own experiences, he sings to and about everyone. The anthems of hope are upbeat, yet not overblown. I love his clear, powerful voice (he reminds me of Gene Pitney, though I'm dating myself here!). Superb stories with neat, clean arrangements. One of my favorite CDs. Thanks, Clark.
Clark has got SPARK on this dazzler of a disc!
author: SparkiClark Carlton, with a mellow, virile voice reminiscent of Warren Zevon, Tom Robinson, Bruce Cockburn, and Gordon Lightfoot, has crafted a work of art, from the poignant MATTHEW, a heartfelt tune about the Matthew Shepard slaying, to the ligthearted surf fun of THE BOYS ON THE SAND. I love this CD and I am a heterosexual female. I think Mr. Clark C. is going to go far if his subsequent releases are anything like this dazzling first effort
A gift of haunting imagery wrapped around a warm, soothing voice.
author: J D Doyle, Queer Music HeritageClark Carlton's CD "Saltwater" is a gift to us of haunting imagery wrapped around a warm, soothing voice. The songs of love and loss and longing seep into our hearts. Clark's talent with his voice and guitar can equally blend varying styles, from a standout tribute to Matthew Shepard, to just plain fun with "Boys On The Sand," the first genuine queer surf song.
A compelling work I highly recommend
author: Len Rogers, Stonewall SocietyA screenwriter by day, and thankfully a musician/poet as well. Clark Carlton provides a rich original musical tapestry with strong, heartfelt lyrics and haunting yet soothing guitar. The overall experience is most enjoyable and full of surprises. Sensual, emotional and just down right fun! The opening song "Matthew" is a haunting tribute to Mathew Shepherd. The song is inspirational and thought provoking with suggestions of inner views and self acceptance being the possible culprit. Clark's powerful baritone voice brings emotion and depth to excellent lyrics. The title cut, "Saltwater" is my personal favorite. Imagery is strong, you can almost smell the ocean, as well as feel the heat of the moment. Carlton writes lyrics with subtle passion which his voice brings to full force. Evident in all songs is Clark's unique approach to music obviously effected by a wide range of influence. "Boys In The Sand" a butch but campy salute to the days and effects of the Beach Boys and their beach boys is a favorite in bars and catching popularity in the radio circuit as well. Playful and respectful this is good music and fun combined. Clark's songs are haunting and very catchy. His voice: rich, deep, full and even butch is well accompanied by his soothing and melodic guitar. A sensitivity which is confident, masculine, and clear stands out throughout the entire CD. A compelling work and pleasing listen I highly recommend.
A stunner ...
author: Patrick ArenaCLARK CARLTON has the warm, rich type of baritone that Elvis Presley and the Righteous Brothers had going for them. He's also an intelligent and emotional songwriter. Masculine and sensitive, he delves into issues of gay male disillusion. That's not to say that his album SALTWATER is a downer. There's a joy in hearing an OUT gay musician tackling the universal issues of the heart. His opening track on "Saltwater," "Matthew" is a stunner. It's a simple and eloquent assessment of the Matthew Shepard murder. He subtly brings out the idea that this kind of hate can be about the refusal to see what is inside yourself. "Never Be Hurt" is a weapon of defense against a cruel ex-lover and "Most of All" reveals that secret longing for the one who hurt you most of all. Carlton also shows his humorous side with his wonderfully executed parody of the California surfer sound "Boys in the Sand." This cut is memorable for it's authenticity of harmonies and instrumentation. The real fun is the lyric-it's an affectionate homage to those old Beach Boy numbers but with the queer slant.
Clark's songs give me a woodie [and I don't mean a surfercar]
author: CharlieNot slick, except in one sense, these songs are heart-felt, literate, passionate, and really out there!! Clark is a diamond rolling in the gutter of pop!!
Great Songs to tug on your heartstrings!
author: Bob MullerClark Carlton's CD Salt Water is a wonderful collection of stick-in-the-head songs. On first listen, you're treated to the delights of Clark's gorgeous guitar and equally appealing voice, full of emotion and clarity. Subsequent listens reveal his deeper textures & talents. His gift for songwriting is immediately evident in the opener, Matthew, his tribute to Matthew Shepherd which IN ITSELF is reason enough to buy the CD. The playful Boys In The Sand among others do a wonderful job of creating vivid lyrical pictures. Clark has a bonafide knack for writing a melody that stays with you. This CD does not disappoint in ANY area, I can recommend it with no reservations.