Gary Clark Jr.'s New Album: the best rock record of the decade

[Andre Marc]

...in MY humble opinion.

I listened to The Story Of Sonny Boy Slim in my usual way, once at home and once in the car, and was utterly blown away, transfixed. This does not happen often. Paolo Nutini's Caustic Love was the last time I was knocked on my rear end.

I had mixed feelings about his first album. Sounded a bit too Pro Tooled and tentative, but to be fair there were incredibly high hopes for that record given Clark's live shows and buzz. But the good songs were stunning.

I saw him on his last tour up close and personal and it was just amazing.

On Sonny Boy I am hearing Robin Trower, Sly Stone, Prince, Albert King, Doyle Bramhall II, Cream, Isley Brothers, and god knows what else. Only one real stinker, a bland acoustic number.

Thank you Gary Clark Jr.

 

[jazdoc]

Agreed, it's a great album. Up there with Courtney Barnett's debut.

 

[Andre Marc]

Agreed, it's a great album. Up there with Courtney Barnett's debut.

The funny thing is I really think of it as a great "electric guitar" album too. So many different tones, influences, unique riffs, tasty licks, amazing rhythm playing.

 

[DaveyF]

Have to give this one a listen. If Gary can hold a candle to Robin Trower or Albert King it's a winner.

 

[Andre Marc]

Have to give this one a listen. If Gary can hold a candle to Robin Trower or Albert King it's a winner.

It is a massive leap forward from his first album...

 

[caesar]

Thanks, Andre. Been to busy to listen to it, but will listen this weekend.

I know a lot of hard core blues guys are upset it's not more like this:

But the guy wants to express himself and make a living. Over 4 million hits on the video I linked is about as viral as a blues-rock song can go. Compare to the brilliant, but blues-only Melvin Taylor, who can only scrape up around a quarter of million hits on an awesome performance:

 

[Andre Marc]

Thanks, Andre. Been to busy to listen to it, but will listen this weekend.

I know a lot of hard core blues guys are upset it's not more like this:

But the guy wants to express himself and make a living. Over 4 million hits on the video I linked is about as viral as a blues-rock song can go. Compare to the brilliant, but blues-only Melvin Taylor, who can only scrape up around a quarter of million hits on an awesome performance:

Very good synopsis my friend caesar.

Gary Clark Jr. may be a blues man at heart, but I have no issues with him wanting to be a blues-ROCK recording artist.

As you said, playin' the blues does not exactly pay the bills. Robert Cray has made a very nice living straddling the line
between blues and pop. (seeming him next month!!!)

Bright Lights, by the way, was used by ESPN as the outro of before each commercial at this years US Open tennis broadcasts. That is how
artists are making a living, by licensing songs for use on tv. Ain't nobody but us buying records anymore.

 

[KeithR]

will have to listen to it again- didn't hit me the first time. (and I'm from Texas)

how is the LP recording quality? i seem to remember the Tidal stream was not good at all.

 

[Ron Party]

I've listened to this album about 10 times in the last week. This album is Grammy worthy. I can't agree with Andre's proclamation it is the best rock album of the decade, if for no other reason than it isn't rock. It's blues, funk, and R&B. For my taste, however, I'd take this album in a New York Minute over just about anything that's come out in the past year, except for a few select, savory, prog albums. Don't walk, run, and get this album.

 

[Andre Marc]

I've listened to this album about 10 times in the last week. This album is Grammy worthy. I can't agree with Andre's proclamation it is the best rock album of the decade, if for no other reason than it isn't rock. It's blues, funk, and R&B. For my taste, however, I'd take this album in a New York Minute over just about anything that's come out in the past year, except for a few select, savory, prog albums. Don't walk, run, and get this album.

Funny..listened to it all the way through un the car yesterday, after putting aside for a bit...and it yet again blew me away.

 

[Andre Marc]

I've listened to this album about 10 times in the last week. This album is Grammy worthy. I can't agree with Andre's proclamation it is the best rock album of the decade, if for no other reason than it isn't rock. It's blues, funk, and R&B. For my taste, however, I'd take this album in a New York Minute over just about anything that's come out in the past year, except for a few select, savory, prog albums. Don't walk, run, and get this album.

Another great album btw, is Ryan Bingham's Fear And Saturday Night.

 

[amirm]

Another great album btw, is Ryan Bingham's Fear And Saturday Night.

Man that is good music:

Thanks for the reco Andre. It is in my inbox on Amazon.