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Thread: Gary Clarke Jr.

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    Gary Clarke Jr.

    Any P. Ears blues lovers a fan of this guy? I have a kid who works for me (he is in his early 20's) that we talk music from time to time and he turned me on to Clarke. Anyway, he has a fantastic new double live album out that I just picked up. If you like blues, this is one to explore for sure.

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    I bought his 'Blak and Blu' cd after watching his outstanding performance at the Beatles tribute special on CBS earlier this year. Fantastic stuff, I play that cd regularly. He plays other styles as well on that cd but, yes, a lot of it is blues-based. I still need to get that new live cd.

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    Irritated Lawn Guy Klonk's Avatar
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    HUGE fan here. He's a must for anyone who is a fan of edgy, blues rock. Like Gerardo said, that Blak n Blu album is great. Lots of different styles, but my fave are when he get's into that dirty, Hendrix-like sound...does a great 'Third Stone From the Sun' in fact.

    "Who would have thought a whale would be so heavy?" - Moe Sizlak

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    Member progholio's Avatar
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    I picked up a copy of Blak & Blu - just didn't do anything for me, seemed to go in a lot of different directions without really hitting the target, kind of in the way that Bonamassa guy does.

    I would much rather listen to The White Stripes or The Black Keys if I'm in the mood for a more modern take on the blues.

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    Quote Originally Posted by progholio View Post
    I picked up a copy of Blak & Blu - just didn't do anything for me, seemed to go in a lot of different directions without really hitting the target, kind of in the way that Bonamassa guy does.

    I would much rather listen to The White Stripes or The Black Keys if I'm in the mood for a more modern take on the blues.
    Interesting......I love Bonamassa too. I dig some of what Jack White does and have one Black Keys album, both of which I like, but for me Clarke and Bonomassa blow both of them away.

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    Quote Originally Posted by SteveSly View Post
    Interesting......I love Bonamassa too. I dig some of what Jack White does and have one Black Keys album, both of which I like, but for me Clarke and Bonomassa blow both of them away.
    In my opinion, Gary Clark Jr. blows all of them out of the water including Bonamassa. I never connected with Bonamassa's music, to me he is just ok at best but the guy is very successful with what he does so kudos to him. I bought two of his cds and sold them because, although not bad, I didn't find them to be memorable or something that I wanted to return to. I do have The Black Keys 'El Camino' cd and like it but I don't feel compelled to investigate them further. I have listened to The White Stripes and, personally, don't know what's the fuss about with them.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Gerardo View Post
    In my opinion, Gary Clark Jr. blows all of them out of the water including Bonamassa. I never connected with Bonamassa's music, to me he is just ok at best but the guy is very successful with what he does so kudos to him. I bought two of his cds and sold them because, although not bad, I didn't find them to be memorable or something that I wanted to return to. I do have The Black Keys 'El Camino' cd and like it but I don't feel compelled to investigate them further. I have listened to The White Stripes and, personally, don't know what's the fuss about with them.
    Maybe I should have qualified my statement a bit. I never really got into The White Stripes either, although I have enjoyed some of White's stuff since he left that band. I got to see Bonamassa in a club with only about 200 people before he hit it really big. I stood literally about 5 feet from him and he completely blew me out of the water. I have been a fan ever since. I have not had the chance to see Clarke live yet.

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    Irritated Lawn Guy Klonk's Avatar
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    Funny...the Black Keys really don't do it for me at all. And Bonamassa, while a phenomenal player doesn't really scratch my blues itch either. Can't really pinpoint it right now, but Gary Clarke Jr's sound just works for me.
    "Who would have thought a whale would be so heavy?" - Moe Sizlak

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    Member progholio's Avatar
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    Regarding Clark - no doubt the guy is talented, that first album for the major label just struck me as kind of a 'throw it all out there and we'll see what sticks' kind of affair. To my ears it was kind of a scattershot of blues, rock, r&b, funk and even urban dance. I'm sure he's a killer live performer and i'd like to hear what he does in the future. If he would focus more on his gutbucket blues i'm there.

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    I thought this was fantastic (from Crossroads 2010):


    The only thing is... I've seen him do that song at least three other times since then, and they don't seem as spirited. I don't know why/
    "Normal is just the average of extremes" - Gary Lessor

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    Neither guy (Gary and Joe) does it for me either. I find both of their stuff typical clichéd blues, very pedestrian and lacking any real balls. Just my opinion.

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    Gary Clarke is an awesome talent and one to keep your eyes on in the future.

    As for The White Stripes/Black Keys - I'll take a pass on both. Being an Indie-type hipster myself you'd think I would love them both but I find their music too predictable.
    The Prog Corner

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    I have Blak and Blu and like it. Saw him as an opening act for Tedeschi Trucks Band a few weeks ago. He's good, but I think Derek is better. I like his straight ahead blues, but am not a big fan of when he does his Jimi thing. In many ways I think of him/like him in the same way I like Ben Harper - good musicians, but stay away from the screaming guitar stuff.

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    Quote Originally Posted by R_burke View Post
    I have Blak and Blu and like it. Saw him as an opening act for Tedeschi Trucks Band a few weeks ago. He's good, but I think Derek is better. I like his straight ahead blues, but am not a big fan of when he does his Jimi thing. In many ways I think of him/like him in the same way I like Ben Harper - good musicians, but stay away from the screaming guitar stuff.
    Funny....the screaming guitar stuff is what I like best about him. Oh well, different strokes......

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    Irritated Lawn Guy Klonk's Avatar
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    Yeah me too, Steve. The screaming guitar stuff is what drew me in to begin with. That's just my flavor though.
    "Who would have thought a whale would be so heavy?" - Moe Sizlak

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