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This is really cool on a couple of different levels...
First..it's a fun song to listen to and to watch. These guys are clearly having a great time and playing great music. Second, it's great to hear Clarence's guitar being played and to hear THAT tone being played with the right bender licks. Third...it's fun to break down and analyze and learn Marty's licks with the Amazing Slow Downer and then realize they are the same licks that we've heard before and know how to play...just that they are being executed really well in a band / song context. Fourth, Marty's playing not only whole note bends, but seeing Clarence's long throw in action makes you realize that it was / is just as easy to play half note bends for bluesy bender riffs.. This harder with a short throw BTW.
On another level...one always wonders what if? What if Clarence were still alive? For one thing this video of Marty playing 'Clarence' wouldn't exist... Then again would it be Clarence playing this? I don't think so... If I recall...Johnny Issacs sent me a YouTube link of Marty playing this tune at a different gig and if I recall...it was basically identical... In other words Marty and band have played this song almost identically note for note night after nite...which explains why the band is so tight (besides obvious talent).
But would Clarence be playing something like this? I don't think so because what we know about Clarence was that he would never play the same thing twice... He was constantly re-inventing himself and his licks every time he played. There would a zillion version of the same song that would be equally cool but unique. I also don't imagine that Clarence would have a song segment where he would trade harmony and unision licks (by rote) such as Marty and Kenny Vaughn played...
That sort of regimented type showy stuff somehow doesn't fit with Clarence.. which then leads to .... Would he have fit in Nashville's strict formula of regimented playing country? hmm... What do you all think?
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