Workin' On A Groove (Capitol, 2002)

Jameson Clark would get slapped in the face for being such a smart-ass and for singing these overtly chauvinistic songs if he didn't also have so much undeniable charm. With a Roger Miller-like tongue-in-cheek voice and a soft spot for Southern rock, "Workin' On A Groove" creates a memorably appealing lyrical groove.

Since it clocks in at less than 30 minutes and only contains 8 songs, it's awfully hard to grow tired of this particularly brief recording. Clark is at his best when playing the shakiest gun in the West on "You Da Man," where his voice takes on the character of a barroom bragger one moment, then an awestruck woman the next. Other highlights include "I Want It All," which mixes a Southern rock arrangement with a Prince-inspired guitar break. "I Like Blondes" is like a lyrical continuation of "Want It All," as it reveals Clark to be one who will basically take any girl - of any old hair color and any personality type - who is both willing and able.

Clark's the kind of guy who can make tough guys crack up just before they're about to kick his butt. Here, he comes off as a class clown with just enough musical smarts to make his jokes sound like real songs.