Artist  William Clarke 
Album Title  Tip of the Top 
Date of Release  1987 (release)  
Genre  Blues 
Styles  Modern Electric Chicago Blues, Harmonica Blues, 
        Electric Harmonica Blues, Electric Chicago Blues, Chicago Blues, 
        Modern Electric Blues 
  
Tip of the Top is a loose tribute to William Clarke's mentor, George Harmonica 
Smith, who taught Clarke many of his tricks. Clarke plays a selection of 
tracks that were staples in Smith's catalog (including a version of "Hard 
Times," which features Smith himself), as well as newer songs written in the 
same style. But what really makes Tip of the Top notable is how William Clarke 
begins to develop his distinctive, idiosyncratic sound on the record. Unlike 
his debut Can't You Hear Me Calling, Tip of the Top explores some new sounds, 
which would come to fruition in his next few albums.
 - Thom Owens 
 
   1.   Drinkin' Beer (Witherspoon) - 4:27 
   2.   Just a Dream (Broonzy) - 3:28 
   3.   Take a Walk With Me (Lockwood) - 3:45 
   4.   Tribute to George Smith (Clarke) - 7:40 
   5.   Charlie's Blues (Musslewhite) - 3:51 
   6.   Goin' Steady (McCain) - 2:52 
   7.   Hot Dog and a Beer (Clarke) - 2:52 
   8.   Chromatic Jump (Clarke) - 4:26 
   9.   Hard Times (Smith) - 4:14 
   10.   Blowin' the Family Jewels (Clarke) - 2:41 
   11.   Drinkin' Straight Whiskey (Young) - 3:17 
   12.   Party Party [#] (Clarke) - 3:00 
   13.   Got My Brand on You [#] (Clarke) - 3:24 
   14.   My Dog Don't Bark [#] (Clarke) - 2:35 
   15.   My Wife Got Mad [#] (Clarke) - 3:53 
 
 
William Clarke  -  Harmonica, Vocals 
Ronnie Earl  -  Guitar 
Charlie Musselwhite  -  Harmonica, Vocals 
Willie Brinlee  -  Bass 
Hollywood Fats  -  Guitar 
Joel Foy  -  Guitar 
Rob Rio  -  Piano 
Fred Kaplan  -  Guitar 
Glenn Nishida  -  Mixing 
George Harmonica Smith  -  Harmonica, Vocals 
Bill Stuve  -  Bass 
Junior Watson  -  Guitar 
Steve Killman  -  Guitar 
Herb Jung  -  Mastering 
Freddie Brooks  -  Producer 
Michael Grandison  -  Art Direction, Design 
Jeannette Lodovici  -  Photography 
Jerry Monte  -  Drums 
Tom Thompson  -  Executive Producer 
Bruce Thorpe  -  Guitar