Clarence Clemons - A Night With Mr. C (Expanded Edition) (2016)

Tracklist
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01. Quarter to Three
02. Tonight You're Mine, Baby
03. Shotgun
04. The Man
05. Dance, Dance, Dance
06. Twistin' the Night Away
07. Big Blue
08. Cowboys and Indians
09. Forgiveness
10. Something Always Happens


The problem with Clarence Clemons' third solo album was apparent on the first cut, a remake of Gary "U.S." Bonds' "Quarter to Three." The song was one Clemons frequently played in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, in a faithful rendition of the original. But here Clemons turned rapper over a synthesizer backing, retaining only the chorus, and even then changing "Daddy G" to "Mr. C." Similar modernizing was applied to classics like "Shotgun" and "Twistin' the Night Away," and if one wasn't as offended by the originals (which tended toward bland jazz-fusion), neither was one impressed. Things didn't improve when Clemons began reciting the poetry of his guru, Sri Chinmoy. It was hard to imagine who the audience was supposed to be for this record — those who remembered "Quarter to Three" wouldn't like such a radical treatment, and rap fans weren't likely to be convinced, either. As it turned out, there was no audience for A Night with Mr. C, which didn't sell well enough to make the charts.

Saxophonist/vocalist Clarence Clemons was a member of Bruce Springsteen's backup group, the E Street Band, from 1973 to 2011. Clemons' soulful R&B stylings became a key element of the band's sound, notably on Springsteen's breakthrough hit "Born to Run" along with other singles and album tracks. Given his fiery soloing, audience rapport, and obvious camaraderie with Springsteen and the other E Street Band members, he was also a fan favorite during the group's marathon live sets. Clemons released several solo albums and scored a duet hit with Jackson Browne, "You're a Friend of Mine." He died on June 18, 2011 due to complications from a stroke. Springsteen delivered the eulogy at Clemons' funeral in Palm Beach, Florida, telling attendees, "He loved the saxophone, loved our fans, and gave everything he had every night he stepped on-stage."

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