Nothing will ever compare to the exhilaration of writing songs, performing and just plain rockin' out with these guys. Our recent evening together, playing through some of Clark's songs and launching off into a few inspired improvisations, reminded me of how powerful our bond is and will remain.
The experience also prompted me to dust off a few newspaper reviews of the Vanguard, a project we poured every ounce of our energy and creativity into and which still stands as a defining phase of our lives.
"The Vanguard, Winston-Salem's sole entry on More Mondo (a compilation album of North Carolina bands), delivers a nice surprise, a pure and simple love song. Though it is a bit busy at times, Waiting Game has an indelible melody and is a fun, powerful and smart song." (Winston-Salem Journal)
"Their August 15 show at Ziggy's (like all their shows, for that matter), was airtight: well-rehearsed, well-groomed and very well-received." (Spectator)
Want to hear the Vanguard? The four original songs below were recorded in one session on March 15, 1986, with producer Mitch Easter at his studio in Winston-Salem, N.C.