One of the new artists to come out of the stellar Austin, TX blues music scene is guitarist, Gary Clarke Jr. Gary reached a high point in his career when he was selected as one of the artists to play for the president for the show Red, White and Blues. Though, I’m sure there are going to be many more high points in this guitarist’s future. I collected a couple of videos that I want to share with you featuring songs from Gary Clarke Jr, and I found an article from the Sydney Morning Herald that sheds some light on some of the characteristics of this humble guitar player. I hope you enjoy it all as much as I did!
I thought would be cool to open up the post with a solo performance from Gary. He sat down with SPIN to play a show on solo acoustic guitar and plays one of his songs, “When My Train Pulls In.” Check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyaHoCaS9W0.
[youtube_sc url=”http://youtu.be/qyaHoCaS9W0″ height=”420″ rel=”0″]
The article I mentioned before shares some of Gary’s history as a guitarist and reveals some insight into his personality. See the full article at http://www.smh.com.au/national/humble-gary-clark-jnrs-glorious-guitar-moment-20120927-26ntv.html.
He can certainly play. Brought up in a state where blues and rock guitarists tip their hats to the Vaughans (Stevie Ray and Jimmie), Kings (Freddie, Albert and BB) and Collins (Albert) as much as Hendrix and Lightnin’ Hopkins, Clark can play smooth and fluid as easily as he can serve up what he calls ”low down nasty blues”.
He has been singled out as the next great hope of blues and rock, and maybe soul as well, given the sweetness of his voice. So, no pressure then before Blak And Blu, his first major label album, released next month.
”I’m having fun as opposed to taking myself too seriously,” Clark says of the hype surrounding him, remembering that in his teens he was offered a music scholarship at the University of Texas but passed it up for regular gig work. ”It wasn’t just about gigs and girls and all that kind of stuff; I wanted to do something special with something I was passionate about.”
Lastly, Gary’s biggest hit song so far has to be “Bright Lights.” I found a performance from the 2010 Crossroads Guitar Festival where he tears it up with Doyle Bramhall II at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_ZeDn-hHGE&feature=related.
[youtube_sc url=”http://youtu.be/x_ZeDn-hHGE” height=”420″ rel=”0″]
I hope you enjoyed all this from Gary Clarke Jr. as much as I did. There’s plenty more coming your way at Blues Guitar Unleashed so stay tuned.
Thanks,
Griff
6 replies to "Gary Clarke Jr: The New Blues Sound Out Of Austin, TX"
This is a great find indeed. I just bought his new album Blak n Blu and it’s incredible.
There are very few “flat spots” on the album and i really dig the range of the songs.
For those that like this style I encourage you to step up.
Of note I see that one of the guitar mags rated him as best new blues player. That’s quite a feat considering that Joe Bonamassa won it the year before.
Now this is the way I hope to be able to play.. eventually.
This is the type of blues I really enjoy! Bright Lights reminds me so much of Robin Trower’s music, and that style is what made me want to learn to play guitar!
I really like his style… I can only hope to play 1/10th as well as he does… Just loved it! Another up and coming blues player!
I’ve enjoyed it as much as the crowd, will be watching him next.
Great read Griff! I’ve been following Gary Clark Jr. on FB and Youtube for a while now. I like him!
Really love the acoustic video, great rhythm.