5 Gilby Clarke Tracks YOU NEED To Hear

1. Tijuana Jail

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbyxqhHxVH4 Original Album: Pawnshop Guitars Year of Release: 1994 Storytellers and wordsmiths take note. This simple tale about a trip taken, for reasons of frivolity and mischief, just south of the border into Tijuana leave us a little worried about the dodgy Mexican officer and his stern approach to the law. Clarke recounts a trip to Mexico, and we're hoping for his sake it's a fictional tale, where (upon learning of a Solar eclipse) and realizing there's nothing in Tijuana but bad tequila; he heads to Mexico City. On route he runs foul of a corrupt lawman who takes him back and throws him into jail, reminding him that he won't be going back to Texas anytime soon. Since Clarke is from Ohio we have to assume it's a poetic license. Realizing that his escape will not happen without taking desperate action, he asks the guard for a last shot of tequila, before using the situation to his advantage. Of course, I'd tell you, but that would spoil it. The appearance of Slash, who provides another guest guitar, only seems to highlight the monumental importance of this track. Before anyone asks, this track is not connected to the Kingston Trio's 1958 cut "Tijuana Jail", which was loosely based on three gamblers who went to Mexico, were arrested and couldn't post bail. However, the song is a classic example of a folk song (even if it doesn't sound like it) as it capitalizes on the very descriptive nature of such music. Clarke himself might have been disappointed however that, unlike the Thompson Twins, his song wasn't banned on Mexican radio - thus creating even more hype and promotion, as the Mexican Government felt it demeaned the area and perpetuated an unfair stereotype. You can, at least, listen to Gilby's song without feeling guilty.