Nobody had anything to say about Clifford T. Ward, so I'll say a bit more. ;-) 23-Dec-2012 20:45:13

CorrsClub Time: 10-Jun-2026 08:03:51

It doesn't seem as if anyone was moved by the music that I posted. Still, count me among those that hold him in high esteem as a songwriter. I have to admit though that, after learning of him, it took me well over a year before I sat down and listened seriously to his music. I don't like all of his songs, but the ones that I do like, I like a whole lot. While he only had two hits (his biggest being Gaye), his musical legacy has brought him much more acclaim that his lack of commercial success might indicate. One of his songs made the BBC Radio 2 'Greatest Songs of All-Time" (see http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/soldonsong/songlibrary/homethoughts.shtml). One of the reasons for his failure to achieve popular success is that he hated to perform live, tour, or promote! He just loved to write songs and record them.

I read that, toward the end of his life when his multiple sclerosis was severe, he literally crawled on all fours inside his home studio to finish his final album. Recordings that remain of his work-in-progress say a lot about his style of writing. In 2007, an album of his unfinished work was released. On it is a very "solo John Lennon-like" track called "Takin' The Long Way Round" (https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/takin-the-long-way-round/id220157556?i=220158150) which I much prefer to the version that made the album. He doesn't have the lyrics written at this point and, in one spot, he uses "filler lyrics" that say, I'm looking for inspiration to inspirate my mind.

I'm still discovering some great tracks, such as this ditty called "The Open University":


Or this one, "Marron's Glance":


In his earlier life, Clifford T. Ward, performed with his band as "Martyn Raynor and the Secrets" which led to his career as a school teacher!


Those wanting to know more about the career of Clifford T. Ward might find this useful: http://www.mick-armitage.staff.shef.ac.uk/cliffordt/clivectw.html

~Steve
(This post is dedicated to a good friend, Malcolm F., who educated this Californian about this English artist)

Steverino

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