The Clarks and Chris Higbee In Review

The Clarks, along with Chris Higbee, ripped up the stage at the Clearfield County Fair last night.

It was as close as you could get to a perfect evening with the weather – perfect for an outdoor show that is.  The well lit stage hummed in anticipation for a somewhat hybrid performance of rock, country and everything in between.

Chris Higbee and his band took the stage and put on a high energy, country fried show chock full of dueling solos between he and guitarist Mark Vinsick.  The band burned through a brief catalog of their own material and fiddle laden, different takes on rock and country classics as well.  Overall, the best word to describe the performance was entertaining.

After a brief intermission, The Clarks took the stage with an immediacy to impress. The band, well known for its “no frills – just good music” stage show and presence did just that.  Performing a long and well thought out set (and three encores! – usually unheard of for the Fair) with well-knowns such as “Cigarette,” “Penny On The Floor,” “Caroline,” ”Butterflies and Airplanes,” and “Trampoline;” The Clarks delivered an excellent performance.  Whether they were blazing through barn-burners or taking things down a notch, literally every song was an impressive composition rich with thick musical layers, well written lyrics and a commanding performance with their instruments.  The Clarks don’t need stage gimmicks or huge and expensive pyrotechnic embellishments, their music IS the stage show – it needs no crutch and stands strong on its own.

Overall standpoint – this is a band worth seeing live.  If you weren’t there, you missed a great show. 

- E

(all photos courtesy of Mark Kolash)