Showing posts with label Gary Clark jr.. Show all posts

Monday, April 25, 2022

Dark Idol Music Artist: Micki Free - Turquoise Blue - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Turquoise Blue, from Micki Free, and it's a fiery blues based rocker. Opening with Ridin' - 420, Micki Free unleashes his hard driving rocking sound with solid lead vocal and guitar, backed by ken "Mojo Man" Riley on bass, Mark "Muggy Do" Leach on keys, Soaring "Hawk" Lopez on really driving drums and Trish Bowden on backing vocals. His lead work is white hot with plenty of flare for a power opener. Heavy Mercy opens with a great guitar riff and builds with a droning bass line and relentless, soaring, overdriven guitar. A ripping cover of Hendrix's All Along The Watch Tower gives Free a "rock standard" to unleash on and he does a real nice job. Slipping into a blues groove on Spring Fever, Free takes a shuffle approach with stinging guitar riffs over a guitar/keys melody and tight underpinnings by Lopez and Riley. Another slice of the pie, World On Fire, features Andy Vargas on lead vocal and Free and gang in a Latin fused rocker with a strong melody and nicely phrased guitar lead over excellent drums and percussion featuring Cindy Blackman and Karl Perazzo. Wrapping the release is ballad, Blue Memories with an acoustic guitar framework and solid backing vocals by Bowden and overlaid electric guitar lead over the melody making for a solid radio track and closer for the release.

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Thursday, April 6, 2017

Provogue Records artist:Eric Gales - Middle Of The Road - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Middle of the Road from Eric Gales and it may be my favorite yet! Opening with revival style track, Good Time, Eric Gales is really upbeat with Aaron Haggerty on drums, Dylon Wiggins on B3 and LoDonna Gales on backing vocals. Bringing down the heat with reggae rhythmed blues number, Change In Me with a super bass line under fiery lead guitar riffs. Very cool. Carry Yourself is a nicely stylized radio blues track with a solid melody, cool vocals and crisp lead guitar. With it's jazzy bottom, Boogie Man bops along with soulful blues guitar riffs giving the track an almost Johnny Guitar feel. Very cool! Been So Long again has a bit of a reggae beat but with scorching guitar riffs and super bass lines under Gales always solid vocals. Very nice. Help Yourself follows a cool acoustic blues format but building into electric guitar riffs. Gales' tone both on rhythm and lead are super and his riffs are hot but not overplayed. On I Can't be Deceived lets the dog off the leash a bit more with scorching lead soloing and cool backing vocals. On funky, Repetition, Gales creates a dark sound with a nice bass line and Maxwell Drummey adds mellotron to backing vocals assembling the perfect bottom for his lead vocal and electrified guitar lead. Super! Another track with a super groove is I Don't Know with another rumbling bass line, super rhythm guitar, tight drums, nicely blended backing vocals and really cool lead work. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Swamp!, with more of a upbeat, almost jazz influenced, southern rock feel. I really like this release and think it is among his best works to date.

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Friday, August 8, 2014

Gary Clarke Jr. and Trombone Shorty to headline Russian River Jazz & Blues

Russian River
Jazz & Blues Festival

Get ready for the 2 Great Festivals over 1 Great Weekend, voted Best Music Festival in Sonoma County by the readers of the North Bay Bohemian!

The 38th annual RUSSIAN RIVER JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL will take place on Sept 20 & 21 at Johnson's Beach in Guerneville, CA. Music fans can purchase Single Day & Weekend Passes to the festival and enjoy 2 stages of jazz, blues and roots music over

2 days at Johnson’s Beach

- a beautiful venue surrounded by California Redwoods.

For the last 38 years, music festivals have been a vital part of the Russian River community. Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville offers a picturesque venue that rests along the beach of the Russian River, only a few miles from over 100 wineries.

Headlining the festival this year will be performers Gary Clark Jr., Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Boney James & Larry Graham & Graham Central Station along with Goapele, Jon Batiste & Stay Human, Ana Popovic, Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings, Beso Negro, Davina & The Vagabonds, Mitch Woods and Nicolas Bearde.
Click here for more info and to purchase tickets!

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Omar and the Howers - Too Much Is Not Enough - New Release Review

I just received a copy of Too Much Is Not Enough, the newest Omar and the Howlers release. Gary Primich is featured on 10 of the 12 tracks and the release is dedicated to his memory. In the liner notes, Omar apologizes for a second tribute to Jimmy Reed and then tells about the story about how and why. I'll tell you why. It's great music and it needs to be heard! The release opens with Too Much and it has the great Jimmy Reed lope and Primich harping away. On I Gotta Let You Go, Gary Clark Jr. joins the band and plays some hot slide work. Omar is in top form on vocals and Primich has perfect balance. On Honest I Do, Clark and Jay Moeller round out the band and Primich again plays some sweet harp. Omar sings this song like he owns it. I Ain't Got You is a bit stripped down and I really like it. The first time I heard this (embarrassingly enough) was by the Yardbirds but yes ...it's all about the journey. High And Lonesome is a slow Texas style blues with Omar grinds this track on vocal and guitar, Primich on harp, Barry Bihm on bass and Jon Hahn on drums. Roll In Rhumba is a cool instrumental with the band keeping it tight while Primich airs it out. Very cool!! Omar puts a little extra swing on Take Out Some Insurance. These guys are really together and Omar and Primrich keep the dialogue between vocals and harp. I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town, another of the more slowly paced tracks, really gives Primich a chance to milk the harp for all it's worth. I'm Gonna Ruin You again with the stripped down band of Omar, Gary Clark Jr. (guitar and harp) and Jay Moeller deliver a straight up Chicago romp. Shame, Shame, Shame takes the pace up quite a bit a Primich again grabs the floor and delivers. You Don't Have To Go, an Elmore James style track, again featuring Clark Jr. on slide. This is a terrific ending for a very cool recording. If you like Jimmy Reed you're bound to like this release!
“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”
Sorry that I could not find a current (subject appropriate) video.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Don't Owe You A Thang - Gary Clark Jr. - Tour Schedule

Upcoming shows

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Gary Clark Jr by GaryClarkJr

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Please Come Home - Gary Clark Jr.

Rarely does an artist explode onto the music scene with the force and impact of a comet. But when it does happen — as it did when 26-year-old singer-guitarist Gary Clark Jr. delivered an incendiary debut performance of his song “Bright Lights” at Eric Clapton's 2010 Crossroads Guitar Festival last June — the result is magical. Funky, hip, and badass, Gary Clark Jr. is a rocking soul man for a new generation.

Weaned on John Lee Hooker, Lightnin Hopkins, and T-Bone Walker, Clark fuses his deep blues influence with a love of classic hip-hop and contemporary soul. His voice weaves between a melodic lilt and a seasoned blues howl with his guitar licks dancing and dodging between and behind the beat as if the essence of Snoop and Dre loom in his head by way of the Mississippi Delta. The virtuosity Clark displays, and the tone he rings from his cherry-red Epiphone Casino guitar, put most modern rock shredders to shame.

Born and raised in Austin, TX, Clark began playing guitar at age 12. He performed small gigs throughout his early teens before popping up on the radar of legendary promoter Clifford Antone, owner of Austin blues club Antone's. Through Clifford's connections, Clark was soon sitting in with and learning from an array of musical icons, including Jimmie Vaughan. Vaughan, and others in the Austin music community, mentored Clark along his path, facilitating his steady rise on the Texas music scene. His peers have showered him with acclaim for his galvanizing live performances. In 2001, Austin’s mayor, Kirk Watson, declared May 3rd to be “Gary Clark Jr. Day.” Clark was 17 years old.

Clark went on to win the Austin Music Award for Best Blues and Electric Guitarist on three separate occasions, in addition to receiving awards from various blues magazines and associations around the country. After playing the nationally televised show Austin City Limits and touring with such artists as Jimmie Vaughan, Pinetop Perkins, and Doyle Bramhall II, Clark released two self-produced albums, and composed the original score for the film Full Count. Clark’s creative versatility and love for not just blues, but also soul, hip-hop, classic rock, and jam bands, has allowed him to transcend his own musical talents. He starred alongside Danny Glover and Stacy Keach in John Sayles’ 2007 film Honeydripper.

In 2010, Clark was the only young newcomer to be selected by Eric Clapton to perform at the Crossroads Guitar Festival, where he performed with Doyle Bramhall II and Sheryl Crow. A DVD of the show, released last November, led to Clark’s signing with Warner Bros. Records for whom he is currently working on his major-label debut album. Clark’s singular talent has also attracted a bevy of artist support, including accolades from Sheryl Crow, Citizen Cope, Damian Marley, Ron Wood, and Questlove. As the latter recently Tweeted after witnessing a December performance at New York’s Brooklyn Bowl: “I don’t think y’all understand the greatness that is in front of you. Gary Clark Jr. is kickin’ ass and takin’ names.”
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Friday, October 7, 2011

Voodoo Chile/Slight Return - Eric Gales and Gary Clark Jr.

This is some really cool footage of Gary and Eric playing live at Blues, Brews & BBQ, House of Blues, Atlantic City, NJ 7-30-11

Here's Gary's next up tour schedule:

Oct 9 2011

Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
HSBC Arena

Buy tickets

Facebook RSVP
Oct 10 2011

Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
HSBC Arena

Buy tickets

Facebook RSVP
Oct 12 2011

Sao Paulo, Brazil
Morumbi Stadium

Buy tickets

Facebook RSVP
Oct 18 2011

New York, New York
Highline Ballroom

Buy tickets

Facebook
Oct 26 2011

London, England
Bush Hall

Buy tickets

Facebook RSVP
Oct 27 2011

Hamburg, Germany
Prinzenbar

Enjoy!!
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Thursday, August 18, 2011

Whole Lot of Lovin' - Gary Clark Jr.

Gary Clark Jr., acclaimed as the savior of blues, is an American guitarist and actor considered by some to be the leader of the Austin, Texas rock scene, offering a style that has at times been compared to Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan.Clark has established a resume, which has helped place him on a tier with musicians who have enabled him to share the stage with various legends of rock & roll. His live performances, as well as recordings, blend rock, soul and blues, infusing fluid guitar with a guttural howl and a falsetto trill that mix together. Despite his roots, Clark comes across as someone who is forging something unique in the music world. More specifically, his 2010 self-titled EP debuts his ability to explore various genres of music, while demonstrating his independence and distinctiveness from the heavily saturated music industry

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Monday, May 30, 2011

When The Sun Goes Down - Gary Clark Jr.

Gary really came into my vision during the Crossroads Festival this year when he was one of the most exciting players on board.

Gary Clark Jr., acclaimed as the savior of blues, is an American guitarist and actor considered by some to be the leader of the Austin, Texas rock scene, offering a style that has at times been compared to Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. As a musical prodigy, Clark has established a well renowned resume, which has helped place him on a tier with musicians who have enabled him to share the stage with various legends of rock & roll. His live performances, as well as recordings, freshly blend rock, soul and blues, infusing fluid, powerhouse guitar with a guttural howl and a seamless falsetto trill that melts itself together somehow. Despite his roots, Clark comes across as someone who is forging something that is uniquely his own in the music world. More specifically, his latest EP debuts his ability to explore the full spectrum of genres of music, while demonstrating his independence and distinctiveness from the heavily saturated music industry.

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Sunday, May 15, 2011

Gary Clark Jr. Hits the Road for the Bonnaroo Buzz Tour on May 17th

Buzz Building on Texas-Born Singer-Guitarist in Anticipation of His Upcoming Album Debut for Warner Bros. Records Due Later This Year

Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Gary Clark Jr. will hit the road for the first annual Bonnaroo Buzz Tour from May 17th through June 9th before taking the stage at the Bonnaroo Festival in Manchester, TN, on Saturday, June 11. The 13-date tour kicks off at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ, and stops at intimate venues on the way down to Bonnaroo, which has historically been the launching pad for many popular artists.

Buzz is already building around the 27-year-old Austin, TX-born artist who is currently in the studio recording his debut album for Warner Bros. Records. Weaned on John Lee Hooker, Curtis Mayfield, and Snoop Dogg, Clark fuses his deep rock, R&B and blues influences with a love of classic hip-hop and contemporary soul. His voice weaves between the melodic lilt of Marvin Gaye and the seasoned blues howl of Lightnin Hopkins. His guitar licks dance and dodge between and behind the beat as if the essence of Snoop and Dre loom in his head by way of the Mississippi Delta. Gary is not concerned so much with looking back, but rather looking towards future possibilities of mixing classic American music forms into something all his own.

"Warner Bros. has a virtuosic new act in Gary Clark Jr. This is blues-based rock with an eye toward a groove, and Clark effortlessly wields his guitar into and out of solos." -- The Los Angeles Times

"Gary Clark, Jr. is a soul man. He's a blues man. He's a rock and roll man. Gary Clark Jr. is the real deal." -- IFC News

* * * *

Gary Clark Jr.'s upcoming tour dates are as follows:

Tue May 17 Asbury Park, NJ Stone Pony
Wed May 18 Baltimore, MD Rams Head Live
Thur May 19 Black Mountain, NC Pisgah Brewing Company
Sat May 21 Oxford, MS Lyric Oxford
Sun May 22 Little Rock, AR Revolution Music Room
Tue May 24 Louisville, KY Headliners Music Hall
Fri May 27 Knoxville, TN Tennessee Theatre
Sat May 28 Myrtle Beach, SC House of Blues
Sun May 29 Raleigh, NC Lincoln Theatre
Mon May 30 Macon, GA Capitol Theatre
Sat June 04 Cleveland, OH House of Blues
Wed June 08 Charlottesville, VA Jefferson Theatre
Thur June 09 Charleston, WV Clay Center

You all saw what Clark did at Crossroads... WOW!!

Here's a track from his most recent EP "Hotwire Unlimited"

Enjoy

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Monday, April 25, 2011

If Trouble Was Money- Gary Clark jr.

Gary Clark Jr. began playing guitar at the ripe young age of 12. Born and raised in Austin, TX, Gary continued to play small gigs through his early teens until one day he was noticed by the legendary Clifford Antone, owner of the notable Austin blues club Antone's. Through the connections made by Clifford within his club, Gary soon was sitting in and learning from various musical icons, including the incomparable Jimmie Vaughan. Through the mentoring of Jimmie and others within the Austin music community, Gary began to receive much critical acclaim from both his musical peers and the Austin community as a whole.. At one point, the mayor of Austin proclaimed May 3, 2001 Gary Clark Jr. Day.

Gary went on to win the Austin Music Award for Best Blues and Electric Guitarist on three separate occasions, as well as awards from Blues magazines and associations throughout the country. After playing the nationally televised Austin City Limits and touring with the likes of artists such as Jimmie Vaughan, Pinetop Perkins, and Doyle Bramhall, he continued his performance career by releasing three self-produced albums and scoring the major motion picture "Full Count." He also starred in a principal role in the John Sayles film "Honeydripper" alongside distinguished actors such as Danny Glover and Stacey Keach.

Gary made the final cut of the Eric Clapton Guitar Festival DVD for 2010 and I'm glad that he did. He was one of the unexpected highlights.

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