The Life and Music of Guy Clark: How He Achieved Success Without Compromising His Values

Margaret M. Smith: A just-like-new book filled with stories about one of my fav singer-songwriters. I paid a good price just to immerse myself in the wit and incredible poetic ability of one of my heroes.

United States on Oct 27, 2023

Michael Duever: I've been getting every album Guy Clark has put out since the 1980s, and even saw him, Susanna and his son, Travis at a small venue in SW Florida many years ago. It's nice to get more background on him and his songs.

United States on Dec 31, 2022

Amazon Customer: I loved this book, which gave a great insight into Guy's life and music.

United Kingdom on Jan 09, 2022

Amazon Customer: Gives a real insight into the stories behind many of his songs and the writing process.

United Kingdom on Nov 29, 2021

Kent Roberts: It's a lot of great detail about who wrote what, and why the songs are on each record and that kind of thing. Really love this book. She does insert herself quite a bit at the end but given the circumstance that's acceptable.

Canada on Jul 27, 2021

Casey: An in-depth look at life and good and not so good times of Guy Clark, highly recommend this read.

Canada on Jul 22, 2020

William R. Nevins: This is a beautifully told insider story of a complex true tale of heartbreak, stoic endurance, art, poetry and, at the end of the day, true love. Guy Clark, Susanna Clark, Townes Van Zandt are the primary lovers, artists, deepest friends whose lives are told here by a fan-become-friend Tamara Saviano, who clearly herself got close to Guy and Susanna's always guarded hearts, and through them to the mysterious Townes. Filled with interesting and often fascinating comments by so many songsters and poets and pals who knew Guy though his long life, this book is a fine read, one well accompanied by Guy's own recordings and that beautiful tribute album This One's For Him which the author assembled and joyfully presented to Guy Clark on his 70th birthday, to his great pleasure. Read this book and enjoy this complex "heartbroke" true love story--real good stuff that works!

United States on Jul 21, 2020

Amy Gesell: I have long worshipped at the altar of Guy Clark. This incredible Texas musician and wordsmith has always held a special place in my heart, so this book was a “must-read.”

Admitted unrestricted access to his life, Tamara Saviano has written about Guy, his music, his struggles and triumphs in a gracious, honest, and elegant fashion. Guy and his compatriots entrusted Tamara to tell this tale...rather, tell this TRUTH about the life and times of Guy and those in his orbit and she has done right by their trust.

This is an unflinching look at Guy’s life, so those in the throes of hero worship need to prepare themselves for information that may give you pause...however, the illustration of Guy’s humanity only endears him more. To the reader and fan.Of particular interest to many is a look at the relationship between Guy and his bride, Susannah Talley...and the charismatic Townes Van Zant.

Moreover, it’s the small, poignant, moments in the book...moments where it is revealed that Guy’s heart was that of a true gentleman and a man often cloaked in stoicism truly had the most tender of hearts.

Fans, old and new, will truly enjoy this beautifully...

United States on Aug 28, 2018

TS: Guy Clark. The name conjures any matter of images: songwriter, hellcat, luthier, soul mate, story-teller, music icon.
Guy Clark’s life and work cry out for an appreciation, if not an organization. Clark died in 2016 and his life was messy business, but never wavering from his singular focus to tell stories through music and lyrics. No one doubts his talents as a songwriter, spanning the length and breadth of country music and Americana for nearly 40 years. But, as Clark would have been the first to admit, the career path was neither straight nor narrow.
Tamara Saviano has written a book which captures some of Clark’s lightning in her prose bottle. “Without Getting Killed or Caught: The Life and Music of Guy Clark”, is, foremost, an appreciation of the songwriter, and a glancing insight into the man. Saviano came to Clark first as a music industry writer, and the book is part publicists fever dream and part a look at Clark’s origins, and their impact on his work.
Saviano admirably goes back to Clark’s roots, in Texas. Clark was the product of a comfortable, if ever-changing, middle-class life (Clark’s father, who died young was a lawyer with a practice in...

United States on Jan 10, 2018

paul: A detailed account of the life and times of Guy Clark. This book will stand the test of time as being the definitive biography of Guy. Written with tenderness and love but never pulling any punches the author was given complete access to the subject along with his friends and family. Some fascinating tales from Guy's youth right up to his death. A lot of the details helped complete the picture around Guy's songs.
Some parts were quite difficult to read towards the end of the book regarding Guy and Susanna's health but were dealt with respectfully.
Overall a superb read and I look forward to the authors next project.

United Kingdom on Mar 07, 2017