Clive Barnes

One thinks perhaps of Ry Cooder, of J.J. Cale, of Kelly Joe Phelps, of old blues, jazz and bluegrass players. This guy must surely be from the Deep South, maybe the Mississippi Delta. Sorry, but your geography is just a tad out. Clive Barnes hails from South East Ireland, Enniscorthy to be exact.

The Ghost Country
Released September 11th 2009
Leander Records
The Ghost Country is the sound of Clive Barnes at the top of his game as a vocalist, guitarist and songwriter.His fourth studio album, The Ghost Country elevates Barnes to a truly unique sound having forged his style and delivery over years of touring the US and Europe with the likes of Eric Bibb, Taj Mahal, Jeff Beck, Alison Krauss, Seasick Steve, The Blind Boys of Alabama and many more.

As a musician, Barnes is highly regarded as one of the finest performers on the roots circuit, a reputation solidified by the lyrical and songwriting prowess on this new collection of songs. From the rip-roaring banjo-fuelled opener of Shotgun Grin to the big sky foreboding title track of the album, right through to the closing track of Borderlines, this recording is populated with stories of characters running and returning, longing and dreaming, down on their luck and finally finding peace, characters so thick with realism you could feel them move right through you.

Out of the studio and onto the stage, Barnes is not to be missed as a live performer for this is where the sheer raw honesty and energy is each track comes to life. RTE's Harry Guiren noted in a review of Clive Barnes performing at Vicar Street, Dublin, "Clive is a guitarist who can make one acoustic sound like six. Barnes transported the entire, hushed venue across the Atlantic to where the paths taken by the Delta Blues, Tom Waits and Bruce Springsteen all led to his own special territory." The Ghost Country is available to buy now in all good record stores and online via iTunes, Amazon, eMusic and CliveBarnesMusic.com.

Links
http://www.clivebarnesmusic.com

Have a listen here: http://myspace.com/clivebarnesmusic

What The Press Say
Exuding a throat catching melancholy, and romantic and bleak in turns, it sounds like an album
made for all eternity............Hotpress **** 4/5

There is an impressive colourful sweep to the intriguing lyrics...certainly his best album to date.
.........The Irish Times **** 4/5

With irresistible panache, Clive Barnes has produced a benchmark for songwriters. An encounter
with The Ghost Country is an enriching experience..............

The Irish Examiner **** 4/5