Various Artists: This One’s For Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark

What, no Sheryl Crow? Seriously, the tribute album became an albatross a few years back, jumping the shark with the market flooded by far too many undeserving and uninspired products. A little time away from the fad, and lo and behold, here comes a real keeper. To Americana fans, Guy Clark is the definitive singer/songwriter, a master craftsman that penned some of the most powerful, literary, romantic, and darkly humorous tunes in the modern era. Produced by Clark’s pickin’ buddy Shawn Camp and independent publicist Tamara Saviano, This One’s For Him contains 30 of Clark’s perfectly constructed musical jewels, done with real love and admiration. The list of performers is a who’s who of alt-country, with a slew of Clark’s “students” - Rodney Crowell, Lyle Lovett, Steve Earle - and several legends including Willie Nelson, Vince Gill, and Emmylou Harris. There’s not a weak cut in the lot, and finally, here’s a tribute that actually emulates the quality of the recipient. (5 out of 5 stars)