So….I read the borderline rapturous review of his new EP in the recent Rolling Stone.
Exactly…
And yet…the review was sufficiently ecstatic that I made a mental note to check him out online. I forgot. A friend texted me last week asking if I’d heard of Gary Clark, Jr. It rung a bell. She was going to see him that night in a small NY club. I looked him up and remembered. Then I (finally) stumbled on some live clips. Holy shit. My friend saw the show. She was beside herself (and I have the text thread to prove it). I watched the live clips, repeatedly. I have the look on my face to prove it. This guy is the real deal. We’re talking potential once-in-a-generation type talent.
I know, I know…
Don’t believe me, believe your ears (and eyes) and click on the first link.
What starts happening around the 4 minute mark is the type of playing we see from a handful of players every 10 years or so. Yeah, I just said that. My take? Pyrotechnics and sick skills backed with tons of soul and feeling (and history) that you can’t fake. I am absolutely gobsmacked by this dude.
As I told my friend: I’m hooked and I’m on him like a hipster on a can of PBR.
“Bright Lights”:
“Please Come Home”:
There’s a lot more where this came from, so get thee to YouTube and see the light. And pick up his EP (trust me) as well as his other joint GCJR (trust me!).
I look forward to being in love with this guy’s music for a long, long, LONG time.
