Serious Intentions

Serious Intentions is an album by the American musician William Clarke, released in 1992. He supported it with North American and United Kingdom tours.

Production

Clarke used primarily a chromatic harmonica on Serious Intentions. He had been playing some of the album's songs for years. He wanted more horns than on his Alligator Records debut, and tried to play his harmonica solos in a similar fashion to those of an alto saxophonist. He also overdubbed many of his vocal and harmonica tracks. "The Work Song" is a version of the Nat Adderley song. "Soon Forgotten" was written by St. Louis Jimmy Oden. "Trying to Stretch My Money" is about the financial hardships of living as a working musician. "Chasin' the Gator" is an instrumental.

Critical reception

The Washington Post noted that "Clarke possesses a big, gruff voice that's every bit as imposing as his harp." The Chicago Sun-Times said that the album "brilliantly frames his gruff vocals and amplified harmonica around sweet jazzy guitars, acoustic bass, drums and a piano." The Los Angeles Times praised "the strong singing and tough playing". The North County Blade Citizen stated, "Clarke is as good a harmonica player as you will find, period."
The News-Journal admired his "smooth melodic style". The Associated Press concluded that Clarke "successfully melds the urban drive of Chicago blues with the mellowness of California swing." The Houston Chronicle said that "his move are obvious and often too stylized."