William Clark Interview



Interviewed on April 14, 1994 by Steve "Big Daddy BluzHarp" Harvell

Steve: Who first introduced you to the harmonica?
William:Well I pretty much introduced myself to the harp and I got interested in it by listening to the radio in the mid-60's out in the Los Angeles area. People such as Jr. Wells, James Cotton and the main guy that got me going, George "Harmonica" Smith.
Steve: You have a song that is a tribute to George Smith, how long did you play with him and how did he help you out?
William:Well I played with George Smith From 1977 till 1983 when he passed away.He really helped me by telling me not to play so many notes and and don't be rushing it you know. Just to take my time because you could paint a better picture musically.And also by me watching him perform.I don't know if you have ever seen George Smith perform but he was a real energetic performer and he always gave it 100% whether it was one or a thousand people. That really got me straight.George Smith is also the guy that took me on my first real tour for performing music and that was just before he passed away in 1983. We went all through Canada, the Midwest, up around Minneapolis and a few other places.
Steve: I heard that he was really good on the chromatic harmonica.
William:Yeah, for me the way I feel, he was the very best in the world on the blues chromatic. I even like him better than Little Walter.Little Walter had a lot of real new and nice ideas, but George Smith had the sound and the tone. George could make the chromatic sound like an organ!
Steve:On The Tip of the Top you did a tune called "Chromatic Jump" and I'll tell you it is my all time favorite song.What kind of harp and amp set-up were you using on that if you remember?
William:The harp that I used on "Chromatic Jump" was a big 64 Chromatic and I played through a Fender Bassman which I still have, a 1959 original.And also through a Maesrtro echo-plexer, a tape delay unit.
Steve:What kind of mic were you using?
William:A Shure Green Bullet made around 1945.
Steve:What did it take to get that album Blowing Like Hell together and how many of the tunes were original?
William:Most of the tunes are original.I might have about two covers.Nothing else that I do that is written by someone else, I redo it my own way because I don't believe in copying note for note.I don't really want to name anybody, but there are some harmonica players out there that is what they do.They try to recreate music that somebody else has already done.People want to hear something that is new and different rather than just like the original.There are some people that want to copy Little Walter and they so a great job, but you are going to be second best.It is the highest compliment you can give and you may sound just like Little Walter, but once again you are still second best.I would buy a record by Little Walter anyday as opposed to a copy cat.
Steve:Do you already have your set list out or do you feel the crowd and play what they want to hear?
William:I write a new set list all the because I don't play the same set every night.I don't have set plans about what I am going to do,but it will be real energetic set, just like I learned from George Smith.I always give 100%.There will be a lot of real swinging stuff,jump music.
Steve:How many recordings do you have out and their titles?
William:I've got to think about that one for a minute. My first record came out in 1978 and it was called Hitting Heavy on Good Times Records.Another guy that really helped a lot by helping me to sing was Shakey Jake Harris.Around 1981 I tried to get my own label going called Heavy Hitting Records.I had a blues anthology that featured George Smith,Hollywood Fats,myself,and a guy named Curtis Griffin.In 1983 I had a record called Can't Ya Hear Me Calling that has been reissued.In 1986,Tip of the Top came out.I worked real hard on it,with Ronnie Earl and George Smith on it too.I really,really worked hard on Blowing Like Hell for Alligator Records. I was just so tired of being on small labels since 1978 and Blowing Like Hell got me out in front and more people got to know about me.
Steve:Have you come out with anything since Serious Intentions?
William:I am just about done with my new recording.It will be on Alligator and be out around June. I have been working really hard on this one, and right now I am in the process of mixing everything in the studio.
Steve:It sounds like Alligator has been a good thing for you.
William:They are 100% professional and they are really hard workers.Their promotion and distribution is great,they contact a lot of radio stations and get your stuff played.And Bruce Igauer,the guy that runs Alligator,is a real great guy,very honest!I am happy to be with them.
Steve:What are your favortie mics and amps?
William:I have had the same amp for about 14 years now,a 1959 Fender Bassman,and now a days I am using a JT-30 mic,which a lot of harp players are using now.
Steve:What kind of special effects and gadgets do you use?
William:I used to use a tape delay unit,but what I am using now is a delay pedal made by Boss and that is pretty much all I use.
Steve:Do you use the pucker or tongue blocking method of playing the harp?
William:I use both methods!I like to switch them up,I pretty much play by instinct,I learned to play it both ways.
Steve:You play the harmonica backwards don't you?
William:(Laughter)Yeah I play it backwards.When I first started to play I was kind of dumb,I did not bother to look at the numbers on there.
Steve:It sounds like things worked out for you though.
William:It really hasn't held me back because blues players play by ear anyway!
Steve:What are your favorite harmonicas?
William:I play the Super 270 Chromatic model in all the different keys and for diatonic,I play Hohner Marine Bands only!
Steve:Do you tour over seas much?
William:I just got back from Holland,Germany and Belgium about two weeks ago.
Steve:I hear the blues is big overseas.
William:Yes,but you know something,people are big on the blues everywhere now!
Steve:Who are your favorite Harp Players?
William:There are so many but number one is George Smith.James Cotton.Jr.Wells used to be a real hero of mine.When I was in high school I used to go around and write on all the fences,"Jr.is the King".Little Walter is such a genius that even if he played a kazoo it would sound good.Big Walter Horton and both "Sonny Boys"!!!!
Steve:How Often do you practice?
William:I don't practice everyday.Sometimes five days in a row and then lay off a whole month.When I'm on the road I don't practice all because I am playing every night.
Steve:Do you have any advice for up and coming harp players on how to improve?
William:I would say practice constantly and never give up.If somebody tries to talk you out of it, don't listen to them if it is really what you want to do.When I first started out,I was practicing four or five hours a day.I would even lock myself up in the bathroom.Great acoustics!

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