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Rod Clements
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Key Information
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Roderick Parry Clements (born 17 November 1947) is a British guitarist, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He formed the folk-rock band Lindisfarne with Alan Hull in 1970, and wrote "Meet Me on the Corner", a UK Top 5 hit in March 1972, which won Clements an Ivor Novello Award. Lindisfarne broke up in 1973 and Clements became a founding member of Jack the Lad, also working with Ralph McTell and Bert Jansch. Lindisfarne reformed in 1977 and Clements continued to be part of the line-up until 2003. Rod rejoined Lindisfarne in 2015 and is currently touring and performing with the band.
Career
[edit]Clements was an only child, and grew up in a household in which neither parent was especially active musically, though his mother did play the piano. His father was a lover of classical music and he encouraged his son to attend concerts. Clements attended The King's School, Tynemouth after which, at the age of 12, he was sent to Durham School.[1] He subsequently attended Durham University (St. Cuthbert's Society), graduating with a BA in ancient history and anthropology.
From an early age he had been able to pick up a tune and play it and his first inspiration to play the guitar came from hearing the hits of Duane Eddy, The Shadows and The Ventures.[2] By 1965 he had formed an R&B group called Downtown Faction.[3]
As a bass guitarist, Clements teamed up with local musicians in North Shields to form a blues band (also called the Downtown Faction). The band was later renamed Brethren, and became regular performers at folk clubs in the North East.[3] Clements befriended a Newcastle singer/songwriter called Alan Hull, and formed the folk-rock band Lindisfarne with him and several members of Brethren in 1970. Although Hull was Lindisfarne's main songwriter, Clements provided the band with its first hit in "Meet Me on the Corner", a UK Top 5 hit in March 1972. Clements won a Certificate of Honour at the Ivor Novello Awards for the song.[4]
Lindisfarne broke up in 1973 and Clements became a founding member of Jack the Lad, which also included two other former Lindisfarne members, on whose debut album It's Jack The Lad he played a significant role as multi-instrumentalist and songwriter.[3] In 1974 he played bass on Ralph McTell's "Streets of London", which topped the UK charts at Christmas that year. Clements went on to tour and record several albums with McTell. He also worked with Bert Jansch, touring Britain and Europe and working as Producer on Bert's comeback album A Rare Conundrum. Clements and Jansch also recorded a Woody Guthrie tribute album, Woody Lives!, and the jointly credited Leather Launderette.[1]
Lindisfarne reformed in 1977 and Clements continued to be part of the line-up, contributing many songs to albums such as Back and Fourth, The News, Sleepless Nights and Dance Your Life Away. Following Alan Hull's death in 1995 Rod became the band's main songwriter who, in partnership with producer and co-writer Nigel Stonier, provided the bulk of material for Lindisfarne's two last albums, Here Comes The Neighbourhood (1998) and Promenade (2002). The band finally broke up following a concert in Newcastle Opera House in November 2003.[5]
Clements' main role in Lindisfarne was that of bassist until 1990, when he moved to slide guitar and mandolin; his former role was filled thereafter by Steve Cunningham and latterly Ian Thomson. Clements also played violin from time to time, most notably in the instrumental break of "Fog on the Tyne", both on stage and on disc.
Clements has also toured and recorded with Rab Noakes and Michael Chapman and performed on albums by Peter Hammill, Wizz Jones and Kathryn Tickell amongst others. He has also supplied bass, dobro, and guitar parts to albums by singer/songwriter Thea Gilmore, who has herself appeared on Rod's solo albums.[1]
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Clements released the album One Track Mind in 1994, and followed this with Stamping Ground in 2000, having written or co-written each of the tracks. Another album, Odd Man Out was released in 2006. It was produced by Nigel Stonier. Spring 2008 saw the reissue with bonus tracks of One Track Mind. He continues to tour regularly, performing a mixture of Lindisfarne and solo songs.[4]
Songs written by Clements have been covered by artists including Melanie Safka and Joe Brown; and a Clements/Stonier composition, "Can't Do Right For Doing Wrong", was a British Top 30 hit for Erin Rocha at Christmas 2003.[1]
Clements re-joined Lindisfarne in 2015, replacing co-founder Ray Jackson who then retired from performing with the band. Rod now performs vocals, acoustic & electric guitar, slide guitar, mandolin and violin with Lindisfarne.
Discography
[edit]- Solo albums
- One Track Mind (1994)
- Stamping Ground (2000)
- Live Ghosts (2004)
- Odd Man Out (2006)
- One Track Mind 2008 (2008) – with bonus tracks
- Lindisfarne albums with Clements
- Nicely Out of Tune (1970)
- Fog on the Tyne (1971)
- Dingly Dell (1972)
- Back And Fourth (1978)
- The News (1979)
- Sleepless Nights (1982)
- Dance Your Life Away (1986)
- Amigos (1989)
- Elvis Lives on the Moon (1993)
- Blues from the Bothy (EP) (1997)
- Here Comes the Neighbourhood (1998)
- Promenade (2002)
- Jack the Lad
- It's Jack the Lad (1973)
- with Bert Jansch
- "In the Bleak Midwinter" (single) (1974)
- A Rare Conundrum (1976)
- Bert Jansch & Rod Clements
- Leather Launderette (1988)
- with Ralph McTell
- "Streets of London" (single) (1974)
- Streets (album) (1975)
- Right Side Up (1976)
- Songs from Alphabet Zoo (1983)
- with Prelude
- Owl Creek Incident (1975)
- with Dando Shaft
- Kingdom (1977)
- with Michael Chapman
- The Man Who Hated Mornings (1977)
- Looking for Eleven (1980)
- Plaindealer (2005)
- with Jim Rafferty
- Don't Talk Back (1978)
- with Rab Noakes
- Rab Noakes (1980)
- Under the Rain (1983)
- Throwing Shapes (Rab Noakes & The Varaflames) (2000)
- with Thea Gilmore
- The Lipstick Conspiracies (2000)
- Songs from the Gutter (2002)
- with Nigel Stonier
- Golden Coins (1993)
- Brimstone & Blue (2002)
- with Peter Hammill
- Fool's Mate (1971)
- with Wizz Jones
- Happiness Was Free (1976)
- with Kathryn Tickell
- Borderlands (1986)
- with Pentangle
- So Early in the Spring (1989)
- with Mark Knopfler
- Newport Mount Rag (recorded 1974)
- Various artists
- Woody Lives! (Woody Guthrie tribute album) (1987)
- People on the Highway (Bert Jansch tribute album) (2000)
References
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rod Clements.
- ^ a b c d "Acoustic Magic – Artist Profiles – Rod Clements". Acoustic-magic.com. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
- ^ "Stamping Ground". Rodclements.com. Archived from the original on 9 July 2011. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
- ^ a b c History of Lindisfarne Archived 11 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine lindisfarne.co.uk
- ^ a b Chronicle, Crewe (15 September 2009). "Rod Clements of Lindisfarne coming to Nantwich for Words and Music Festival". Crewechronicle.co.uk. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
- ^ "News - Latest Newcastle news and breaking news from the North East". Chroniclelive.co.uk. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
External links
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Rod Clements
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life
Childhood and family background
Roderick Parry Clements was born on 17 November 1947 in North Shields, then in the county of Northumberland, England. As an only child, he grew up in a modest household where neither parent pursued music professionally, though his father maintained a keen interest in classical music, frequently purchasing records and attending orchestral performances at Newcastle City Hall, which occasionally included young Clements.[10][11] The Clements family resided in North Shields, a working-class coastal town in North Tyneside, part of the broader Newcastle upon Tyne metropolitan area, during the post-World War II era. This industrial environment, marked by shipbuilding and economic recovery efforts in Northeast England, influenced his early years, fostering a sense of regional identity amid the challenges of austerity and community resilience.[10] Family dynamics emphasized stability and support, with Clements' parents encouraging education while tolerating his emerging interests, though they hoped he would secure a university degree before any unconventional pursuits. At age 12, he was sent to a boarding school in Durham, marking a shift in his immediate surroundings and introducing greater independence during his pre-teen period.[11][10]Education and early influences
Rod Clements began his formal education at The King's School in Tynemouth, a fee-paying institution in North Tyneside, where he received his early schooling before transitioning to secondary education.[12] At the age of 12, Clements was sent to Durham School as a boarder, an experience that marked a significant shift in his routine and interests. The school's rigorous regime provided little encouragement for his emerging musical pursuits, as authorities often viewed his playing with disapproval; for instance, his first electric bass guitar was confiscated by a housemaster during private study periods in the sixth form. Despite such setbacks, Clements borrowed guitars to experiment during this time, honing his skills through self-taught practice and forming his initial amateur group with fellow students, which played covers in defiance of school rules.[13][10] Clements' early musical influences were rooted in instrumental guitar pop of the late 1950s and early 1960s, particularly the twanging styles of Duane Eddy, The Shadows, and The Ventures, which he first encountered at boarding school and used as an escape from academic pressures. These artists inspired his initial focus on guitar, leading to amateur performances of their tunes and R&B standards in school settings, though he later expanded to other instruments like violin in his development. After leaving school in 1965, he pursued higher education at Durham University, where he earned a BA in general arts while serving as social secretary in his final year at St. Cuthbert's Society, a role that allowed him to book bands and deepen his engagement with music.[14][10][15]Musical career
Formation and early years with Lindisfarne
Lindisfarne was formed in May 1970 in Newcastle upon Tyne when singer-songwriter Alan Hull joined the local blues and folk outfit Brethren after performing a guest spot at Hull's Whitley Bay folk club, The Rex.[16] The group, which included harmonica player Ray Jackson, quickly evolved into Lindisfarne, signing with Charisma Records under Tony Stratton-Smith and adopting a distinctive folk-rock style rooted in North East England's musical traditions.[16] Rod Clements, a multi-instrumentalist from Newcastle, became a core member alongside Hull, contributing fiddle, bass, and guitar to the lineup.[16] Clements played a pivotal role as bassist, guitarist, and co-songwriter, helping shape Lindisfarne's accessible yet innovative sound that blended folk melodies with rock energy.[5] His composition "Meet Me on the Corner," featuring Ray Jackson on lead vocals and harmonica, became the band's breakthrough single, reaching number 5 on the UK charts in March 1972.[17] This track appeared on their second album, Fog on the Tyne (1971), which Clements co-contributed to through songwriting and instrumentation, emphasizing the band's warm, Geordie-inflected harmonies and rhythmic drive that defined their early folk-rock identity.[18] The album topped the UK charts, establishing Lindisfarne as a major act and showcasing Clements' ability to craft melodic, everyday narratives that resonated widely.[18] Despite their rapid rise, internal tensions emerged during a disappointing Australian tour in early 1973, exacerbated by the strains of sudden commercial success and record company expectations.[19] Hull briefly considered leaving, but ultimately, Clements, along with drummer Ray Laidlaw and guitarist Simon Cowe, departed in July 1973, leading to the band's initial dissolution as the remaining members struggled to continue.[19] This breakup reflected the challenges of maintaining creative cohesion amid fame's pressures, though it allowed members like Clements to pursue new directions.[20]Spin-off projects and collaborations
Following the 1973 breakup of Lindisfarne, Rod Clements co-founded the folk-rock band Jack the Lad with fellow ex-members Simon Cowe and Ray Laidlaw, along with Billy Mitchell on guitar and mandolin.[21][22] The group emerged as a direct spin-off, shifting toward a more acoustic, traditional folk sound infused with North East English influences, and quickly signed to Charisma Records.[10] Clements served as a multi-instrumentalist on Jack the Lad's debut album, It's Jack the Lad, released in 1974, contributing bass, violin, guitar, and vocals across its 14 tracks.[23] The album captured the band's energetic live style, blending jigs, reels, and original songs, and was recorded in a single week to preserve their raw performance energy.[10] During this period, Clements also collaborated with folk singer Ralph McTell, playing bass on the re-recorded single "Streets of London," which peaked at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart after its late-1974 release and became one of the decade's signature folk anthems.[24][25] In the mid-1970s, Clements expanded his folk scene connections, notably working with Bert Jansch starting around 1974; he provided bass for Jansch's sessions and later contributed mandolin to the 1977 album A Rare Conundrum, part of Jansch's short-lived backing group the Bert Jansch Conundrum.[26][27] These partnerships highlighted Clements' versatility in acoustic and electric folk contexts, including production and session work with other artists in the British folk revival.[26] Jack the Lad evolved after Clements' departure in late 1974, driven by demand for his violin playing in external projects; the band recruited Ian Fairbairn on fiddle and Phil Murray on vocals, releasing further albums like The Old Straight Track (1974) and Rough Romance (1976) before disbanding in 1977 following their final release, Jackpot.[28][29]Lindisfarne reunions and later band involvement
Following the band's initial split in 1973, Lindisfarne reunited for a one-off Christmas concert at Newcastle City Hall in December 1976, featuring the original lineup of Alan Hull, Rod Clements, Ray Jackson, Ray Laidlaw, and Simon Cowe. The enthusiastic reception prompted a return for three nights in 1977 at the same venue, which convinced the members to reform permanently, with Clements resuming his role on bass, guitar, and fiddle. This reformation marked a new chapter for the group, blending their folk-rock roots with evolving lineups that included additional musicians like drummer Paul Thompson.[11] The reformed band's first studio album under their new deal with Mercury Records was Back and Fourth in 1978, produced by Gus Dudgeon and featuring Clements prominently on fretless bass, fiddle, mandolin, and harmonica across tracks that showcased the group's signature blend of acoustic warmth and rock energy. Although Clements contributed no original compositions to the album, his multi-instrumental work supported hits like "Run for Home," helping the record reach No. 25 on the UK charts and reinforcing Lindisfarne's enduring appeal. Subsequent releases in the late 1970s, such as The News (1979), continued this momentum before lineup shifts, including Alan Hull's departure in 1981, altered the dynamic while Clements remained a core member.[30] Lindisfarne persisted through the 1980s and 1990s with Clements transitioning to lead guitar, mandolin, and vocals after Alan Hull's death in 1995, but the band disbanded in November 2003 following a final concert at Newcastle's Theatre Royal, citing a lack of creative spark as the primary reason for the split. Drummer Ray Laidlaw stated that the group had always agreed to end when new music no longer felt valid, reflecting internal creative differences after decades of touring and recording.[31] Clements rejoined Lindisfarne in early 2015, replacing retiring co-founder Ray Jackson and stepping into the frontman role alongside vocalist-guitarist Dave Hull-Denholm, with the lineup now comprising Clements on vocals, slide guitar, mandolin, and fiddle; Hull-Denholm (vocals, guitar); Steve Daggett (vocals, keyboards, guitar); bassist Neil Harland; and drummer Paul Smith.[32][33] This post-Hull era configuration has focused on celebrating the band's classics while touring steadily, with Clements leading performances that honor the group's North East heritage. As of November 2025, Lindisfarne continues active, with Clements as the sole original member driving the five-piece ensemble on a UK and Ireland tour, including dates in late 2025 such as Cardiff on 20 November and into 2026.[34][35]Solo work and independent releases
Rod Clements began his solo recording career with One Track Mind in 1994, a collection of folk standards and traditional songs featuring his interpretations of tracks such as "Hard Travelling" and "Bourgeois Blues," recorded in a stripped-down acoustic style that highlighted his guitar and vocal skills.[36] This album, initially released on a limited basis, was reissued in expanded form in 2001 with added instrumentals and again in 2008 as One Track Mind 2008 on the independent Batsville label, incorporating two new recordings of early Clements compositions to provide a fuller retrospective of his folk roots influences.[24][37] Clements' first album of original material, Stamping Ground, arrived in 2000 via the independent Market Square label, comprising twelve self-penned or co-written songs that blended folk-rock elements with introspective narratives on personal journeys and everyday resilience.[24][38] Tracks like the title song and "Whisky Highway" showcased his laid-back, mellow delivery over dobro and acoustic guitar, earning praise for its rootsy authenticity and subtle emotional depth.[39] In 2004, he followed with the live album Live Ghosts under the moniker Rod Clements and the Ghosts of Electricity, capturing trio performances that emphasized his slide guitar prowess and dynamic stage presence in folk-club settings.[24][40] The 2006 studio release Odd Man Out, produced by frequent collaborator Nigel Stonier and again on Market Square, delved deeper into Clements' songwriting voice, mixing rock-blues influences with lyrical explorations of identity and existential themes in songs such as "All Grown Up & Nowhere to Go" and the title track.[24][8] This album featured guest appearances by artists like Thea Gilmore on vocals, underscoring its intimate, reflective tone while maintaining a folk-rock foundation.[10] Clements' independent output continued with the 2014 double album Rendezvous Café on Market Square, a solo reimagining of twenty-six of his own compositions spanning decades, performed acoustically to highlight their enduring personal and narrative qualities without band accompaniment.[41][42] Throughout the 2000s and beyond, Clements focused on limited-run independent productions through small labels like Market Square and Batsville, prioritizing artistic control over commercial scale and resulting in releases that often explored autobiographical motifs of perseverance and quiet introspection.[10] In 2023, Singsong Music reissued his core solo catalog—including Stamping Ground, Odd Man Out, One Track Mind 2008, and Rendezvous Café—to renew accessibility to these works, emphasizing their roots in British folk traditions.[43] Outside recordings, Clements established himself as a solo performer, delivering acoustic sets in folk clubs and tribute tours, such as those honoring Woody Guthrie, where his slide guitar and storytelling style connected directly with audiences.[10][2]Personal life
Family and relationships
Rod Clements, raised as an only child in North Shields, has kept the details of his adult family life and relationships largely private, avoiding public discussion of marriage or children in available interviews and biographies. His musical career, marked by extensive touring and occasional relocations across the UK, has been noted to rely on personal support networks, though specific family involvement remains undisclosed. This discretion allows Clements to balance his professional commitments with a low-key personal existence in rural Northumberland.[10][11]Residence and later years
Rod Clements has maintained a long-term residence in Coquetdale, Northumberland, since the late 1970s, drawn by his family's generational ownership of a cottage in the nearby village of Whitton.[15] Originally hailing from North Shields, this relocation with his family allowed him to immerse himself in the rural Northeast England countryside, where he has resided for nearly 50 years as of 2019.[15] His lifestyle in Coquetdale reflects a blend of musical pursuits and community engagement, with the serene valley environment serving as a creative sanctuary that has influenced his songwriting and local artistic endeavors.[15] The countryside's tranquil setting, combined with informal pub gatherings in the 1980s, inspired him to found Rothbury Roots in 2001, a monthly music event that fosters local talent and draws performers to the area.[15] This backdrop has sustained his productivity, enabling a balance between solo projects and band commitments amid the natural beauty of Northumberland.[15] In his later years, Clements remains active without indications of retirement, continuing to tour extensively with Lindisfarne, including a UK tour scheduled for 2025 featuring a classic five-piece lineup fronted by him on vocals, mandolin, fiddle, and guitar.[34] He experienced a minor accident upon arriving at a gig in Banbury in June 2024 but reported recovery and resumed activities shortly thereafter.[44] No major health concerns have been publicly noted as of late 2025, allowing him to maintain a robust performance schedule.[44] Clements demonstrates strong local ties through community involvement, including performances at events like the 150th Harbottle Show in September 2024 and benefit concerts for causes such as the Alnwick and District Food Bank in March 2023.[45][46] He has supported initiatives like the community buyout of the Fishers Arms pub in Horncliffe and a fundraising concert for the Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team, underscoring his commitment to regional preservation and welfare.[47][48][49]Legacy
Awards and recognitions
Rod Clements received a Certificate of Honour at the 1972 Ivor Novello Awards for his composition "Meet Me on the Corner," which became a UK Top 5 hit for Lindisfarne and marked the band's breakthrough success.[10][2] This accolade recognized the song's outstanding contribution to British music, highlighting Clements' songwriting prowess early in his career.[50] As a founding member and key contributor to Lindisfarne, Clements has been associated with the band's broader honors, including their role in elevating North East England's folk-rock scene, though specific lifetime achievement awards for the group or his individual role remain limited in documentation.[10] No additional regional folk music awards or songwriting nominations for Clements post-2000 have been formally recorded in major music archives.[5]Cultural impact and influence
Rod Clements played a pivotal role in popularizing Northeast English folk-rock as a founding member and primary songwriter for Lindisfarne, blending regional Geordie dialects, acoustic instrumentation, and rock energy to create a distinctive "pub-folk" sound that resonated nationally in the early 1970s.[51] Through albums like Fog on the Tyne, the band captured the working-class spirit of Tyneside, incorporating local references and influences from folk clubs, which helped elevate the genre from regional scenes to mainstream British culture.[52] Clements' contributions, including his bass lines, fiddle work, and songwriting, were instrumental in defining this hybrid style, making Lindisfarne a symbol of North East pride and authenticity.[53] Clements' work with Lindisfarne has exerted a lasting influence on subsequent folk-rock and singer-songwriter artists, inspiring a new wave of musicians who draw from its earthy, narrative-driven approach. Notable figures such as Sting, Elvis Costello, Mark Knopfler, Dave Stewart, and Peter Gabriel have cited the band as a major influence, crediting its fusion of folk traditions with rock accessibility for shaping their own regional-rooted sounds.[54] This ripple effect extends to modern folk acts, who continue to emulate Lindisfarne's blend of melody and storytelling, ensuring the genre's evolution in contemporary British music.[55] The enduring popularity of Clements' compositions, particularly "Meet Me on the Corner," underscores his cultural footprint, with the 1972 hit—featuring its skiffle-infused rhythm and optimistic lyrics—achieving UK Top 5 status and earning an Ivor Novello Award.[56] The song has been widely covered by prominent artists, including Melanie in 1975 on her album Photograph and Paul Weller in live performances, maintaining its presence in folk repertoires and media soundtracks.[57] Its timeless appeal highlights Clements' ability to craft universally relatable anthems rooted in everyday encounters. In the 2025 context, Clements' legacy bolsters Northeast England's music identity through ongoing archival efforts and initiatives that preserve and promote the region's folk-rock heritage. Recent releases, such as the 2024 three-disc box set Brand New Day: The Mercury Years 1978-1979, compile rare recordings and live material, reintroducing Lindisfarne's catalog to new audiences and reinforcing its foundational role in local musical narratives.[58] Additionally, the Alan Hull Award—supported by Lindisfarne's enduring influence—continues to nurture emerging songwriters in the North East, fostering a direct lineage from Clements' innovations to today's talent, while the band, led by Clements, undertakes a 2025 tour across the UK and Ireland.[59][34]Discography
Solo albums
Rod Clements began releasing solo albums in the mid-1990s, marking a shift toward more personal and introspective songwriting compared to the communal energy of his Lindisfarne work. His solo output emphasizes acoustic and blues-inflected folk-rock, often featuring his skills on guitar, dobro, and slide, with themes exploring personal reflection, regional identity, and everyday struggles. These releases, produced independently, highlight Clements' evolution as a solo artist, blending original compositions with occasional covers.[24] One Track Mind (1994, reissued 2008)Clements' debut solo album, One Track Mind, was recorded in 1994 at Hi Level Studios in Newcastle and Redesdale Studios in Northumberland, with engineering by Steve Cunningham and Geoff Heslop. Self-produced with minimal instrumentation, it features Clements on vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, and harmonica, supported by Steve Cunningham on bass and Ray Laidlaw on drums for select tracks. The original 10-track release mixes blues covers like "Bourgeois Blues" and "Ain’t No More Cane" with originals such as "Train in G Major" and "Road to Kingdom Come," showcasing a raw, acoustic style that prioritizes storytelling over polished production. The 2008 Batsville reissue expands it to 17 tracks, adding home-recorded bonuses like "Sneaky Suspension" and later studio additions "A Dream Within a Dream" and "Blues For a Dying Season," remastered by Ron Angus. Critics noted its bluesy intimacy and inclusion of acoustic Lindisfarne reinterpretations, praising the unadorned delivery but observing a lo-fi charm that suits its introspective tone. Key tracks include the instrumental "Train in G Major" for its evocative guitar work and "No Turning Back," an original highlighting emotional depth. The album's themes center on transient journeys and personal resilience, contrasting the high-energy band dynamics of Clements' past.[60][61][62] Stamping Ground (2000)
Released by Market Square Records in September 2000, Stamping Ground was produced by Nigel Stonier and recorded at Frog Recording Services in Warrington from August 1999 to January 2000. Clements handles vocals, dobro, and guitars, joined by collaborators including Thea Gilmore on vocals, Kathryn Tickell on Northumbrian pipes, and Sid Griffin on autoharp. The 12-track album is entirely self-penned or co-written, blending mellow folk-blues with rock elements, as in the title track's laidback vibe and "Whisky Highway"'s blistering guitars. Standout tracks like "Roads of East Northumberland," infused with regional pipes for a haunting acoustic feel, and "Charity Main" evoke introspective Northumbrian roots, while "Whole Lifestyle Thing" delivers rollicking slide guitar energy. Reviewers hailed it as a fine, varied effort with cohesive sequencing, appreciating its balance of acoustic ballads and subtle country influences, though some found it less folkie than expected. Themes focus on personal and cultural nostalgia, offering a quieter, reflective counterpoint to band-era exuberance.[63][39][64] Live Ghosts (2004)
Live Ghosts is a live album by Rod Clements and The Ghosts of Electricity, released in 2004 on Batsville Records. Recorded during performances with his trio, it captures Clements on vocals, guitars, and fiddle, delivering acoustic interpretations of his catalog including Lindisfarne classics and solo material. The 12-track set highlights his solo performance style, emphasizing storytelling and instrumental prowess in an intimate setting.[24][40] Odd Man Out (2006)
Clements' third studio solo album, Odd Man Out, appeared on Market Square Records in June 2006, produced by Nigel Stonier and recorded over two weeks in January at Old Chapel Studio in Lincolnshire. Featuring Clements on vocals and guitars alongside returning players like Dave Hull-Denholm and Paul Burgess, plus guests Thea Gilmore and Ewan Davies, the 10-track set clocks in under 40 minutes and draws from blues, folk, and rock. Originals such as "All Grown Up & Nowhere To Go" open with wry observation, while "Existentially Yours" twists twelve-bar blues into anti-religious commentary, and "Ragtown" incorporates mandolin-driven work-song rhythms. Highlights include the tremendous "New Best Friend" and "September Sunrise" for their melodic depth, and the toe-tapping closer "Morocco Bound," referencing Tangiers' underbelly. Critics acclaimed it as Clements' strongest solo work, praising Stonier's excellent production and the cohesive multi-genre songs on religion, politics, and love, though noting his aging voice on folky cuts is offset by superior songcraft. The album's introspective themes, like isolation and existential drift, underscore a mature solitude distinct from collaborative band vitality.[65][66] Rendezvous Café (2014)
Released in 2014 on Market Square Records, Rendezvous Café is a double-disc retrospective compiling 26 of Clements' songs from 1968 to 2002, revisited in solo acoustic arrangements. Produced by Clements, it features him on vocals and multiple instruments, offering intimate reinterpretations of Lindisfarne hits like "Meet Me on the Corner" and "Road to Kingdom Come," alongside lesser-known tracks. The album celebrates his songwriting legacy, with a focus on north-east England themes and folk-rock roots.[67][41]