The Lightning Fingers of Roy Clark is perhaps one of the more apropos album titles I’ve seen over the past three years. This guy could absolutely shred with the best of them in a way that’s nearly inconceivable, especially for a guitarist operating in country music during the early 60’s. Every single riff he plays on this record (especially the opening track “Twelfth Street Rag”) sounds like it’s being overdubbed to all hell or enhanced by AI. Nope, that’s all Roy. Legend has it that when Jimi Hendrix was asked by a reporter what it was like being considered the best guitarist in the world he responded “I don’t know– you’ll have to ask Roy Clark”. If that’s not a definitive statement that stands the test of time I don’t know what is.
Standout Songs: “Twelfth Street Rag”, “Weepin’ Willow Trust”, “Pink Velvet Swing”
