Unless you are really into music — not just what they play on commercial radio stations, but under-the-radar artists, some of whom tour continuously because they have to — you may never have heard of Guy Clark, who passed away last month at age 74.
I first became familiar with Clark’s work through a song called “L.A. Freeway.” But it wasn’t Clark who sang the version I heard. The singer was another troubadour named Jerry Jeff Walker.
If I can just get off of this L.A. freeway
Without getting killed or caught
I’d be down that road in a cloud of smoke
For some land that I ain’t bought bought bought
As was the case with many singer-songwriters, libations of various sorts would occasionally find their way into Clark-penned lyrics. Yes, wine included.
From “Black Haired Boy”:
He’s looking for a home, he’s scared to find
Some lady beside him and he’s drunk on white wine
Some lady beside him and he’s drunk on white wine
From “Let Him Roll”:
He’s a wino, tried and true.
Done about everything there is to do.
It was white port, that put that look in his eye
That grown men get when they need to cry
It would be cliché to call Guy Clark a songwriter’s songwriter, and yet it is an apt description of this wonderful lyricist. Ironically, he would not receive a Grammy award until 2013 for “My Favorite Picture of You,” which would be his final album.
I don’t have any white port in the house, but I do have some white wine — which I’ll be uncorking tonight in order to raise a toast to a highly underappreciated songwriter. Rest in peace, Guy Clark.
Bob Henry says: 
