Review: Gilby Clarke _Rubber_   Pavement Records
                       - Linda Scott
        Gilby Clarke's a rock and roll soldier.  He's fronted two
bands, been
part of one of the greatest rock bands in the world, and most recently
released/toured on three solid solo rock albums.  This soldier's done it
all.  Clarke became a name during his stint as rhythm guitarist
(substituting for Izzy Stradlin) for Guns N'Roses.  Izzy walked out on
the bloated GNR circus that was the Illusion tour, and GNR lead
guitarist Slash found Gilby to be a talented guitarist and compatible
second row guy in the band.  Clarke stuck with GNR till tour's end
and beyond, recording GNR's last album, _The Spaghetti Incident_.
        Armies don't encourage soldiers to question the general's
commands,
and neither do bands.  Clarke found himself shown the door 
for privately and publicly questioning Axl Rose's plans to produce a 
techno-industrial sound for the band.  While Clarke was first to stand
up and say this wasn't a good direction for GNR, every other band member
has been fired or quit over this same issue.  Clarke's been leading the
way showing that they all have the names and followings individually
to have a lot of fun as musicians.
        Recording and touring with Slash's Snakepit for the _It's Five
O'Clock
Somewhere_ album, Clarke and Slash continued their dual guitar role from
GNR.  At this time Clarke was also flying high with the release of his
first solo album, _Pawnshop Guitars_ (highly recommended).  As part of
the Snakepit club shows, Clarke would do a couple songs from his album
and the Snakepit album.  Crowds found Clarke to be a congenial guy who
connected with the audience and took time to sign autographs and chat
after
the shows.
        _The Hangover_ was Clarke's second album.  It was good, but not
quite as good as _Pawnshop_.   Pavement Records released the current
album
_Rubber_, and it gets another positive recommendation.  Once again, the
multi-talented Clarke is credited with writing, playing all guitars
on all tracks, and singing lead vocals.  With _Rubber_, Clarke has
pulled
together a solid rock album.  With nods all over the place to The
Beatles
and The Rolling Stones, Clarke's albums all have an uptempo familiarity.
No wallowing in anguished phrasing about sad subjects.  Even the first
track, "Kilroy Was Here", written about suicide, is from the point of
view
of acceptance.  Risking the wrath of classic rock purists, Clarke wrote 
music for Janis Joplin's "Mercedes Benz".  Listen to it a couple times
on
_Rubber_ .  It's so in tune with that era that you begin to believe
this was
the way it always was.  Clarke writes what he lives and knows, so the
songs
have honesty.  A man who loves his motorcycles and his family, Clarke
has laid down "The Hell's Angels" and "Frankie's Planet" (for daughter
Francesca).
        Another "highly recommended" Gilby Clarke album, and if you like
classic rock, Slash's Snakepit, Guns N'Roses, Izzy Stradlin, The
Beatles,
The Rolling Stones, you should give it a try.  Clarke put a little of
all
of these in _Rubber_ but mostly himself.  Check out Pavement Record's
web site for Gilby Clarke at: www.pavementmusic.com/gilby.html.
If you like _Rubber_ and want to keep up with him, join his fan
club (address on CD liner).  Dues are small, and CDs like this one are
made available below cost.  In addition to buying _Rubber_, another
recommendation is to see Clarke live in one of the small clubs he
plays.  
He puts on a great show with good music and an easy attitude toward the 
crowd.  This rock and roll soldier can play with the biggest and best,
but 
when it comes to speaking his mind on musical direction. this soldier
is 
ready to go over the wall and try it out there on his own.