Gene Clark's first solo album, one he should have done long ago, is a form of redemption. It is a return to the roots and to those qualities that made Younger Than Yesterday one of the most influential American rock albums of the Sixties. This album evokes considerable nostalgia, yet it is not just Gene Clark revisiting "Mr. Tambourine Man" or "Chimes of Freedom." The songs are all new except the Dylan composition "Tears of Rage."

Dylan's influence on this record, however, is far greater than just one song. "Spanish Guitar" is a first cousin to "Visions of Johanna" mixed with "Tom Thumb's Blues," harmonica riff and all. "Where My Love Lies Asleep" is even more Dylanesque with bits of "Girl From the North Country" penetrating it. Clark's use of word symbols is uncanny and invites many flattering comparisons to another side of Mr. Dylan prior to Skyline days. For example, "The Virgin," the saga of a young girl coming to megapolis, who is soon to painfully discover life, sidewalks, virtue, truth, and life, is shaded by "Positively 4th St.," but transcends it.

Clark imposes his own individual stamp upon "With Tomorrow," a tender ballad similar to his version of "Polly" recorded with the Dillard-Clark band. It is downright beautiful as is the love sonnet "Because of You" which uses the universal imagery of rainbows, rain, clouds to convey its message: "Yes, the sun I see only shines for me because of you."

"White Light" is one of the few total throwbacks to his first stint with the Byrds. It is very much like "Wasn't Born To Follow." Despite, this similarity and connection to figures of the past, this album is a fresh and innovative look at what came before in a new framework. Just as Sir Doug. Creedence, and the Velvets have used the Fifties to make contemporary statements. Clark utilizes 1965 to create one of the most interesting and exciting records of 1971.

Gene Clark is the best of all that was good with the Byrds and the Springfield in a present-day context. That's a lot when you think about it. Jessie Davis is a fine producer. (RS 94)

R. SERGE DENISOFF