Austin, Texas native Gary Clark Jr. showed why he's the brightest up-and-coming guitar gun-slinger around right now. From the extended intro to the first song, "When My Train Pulls In" there was a focus and an energy that was truly reminiscent of the all time greats. When the first song's over, he says "I've been waiting for this for 16 years". I love "Bright Lights, Big City" but was glad that the ACL TV Show omitted that in favor of some of his lesser known tunes, "You Saved Me" and "Things Are Changin". Before "Travis County" at 21:12, he talks about how he wrote the song about his younger days getting in trouble around Austin, and then pauses for a heart warming "Hi, Mom".
From the interview section after the performance, it's pretty obvious that this meant a lot to Mr. Clark and in my humble opinion he delivered an A+ performance to his hometown crowd. The interview section starts at 26:10. He talks about getting his first guitar at 12 years old and growing up playing music in Austin and an episode at Antone's where he joined the legendary Hubert Sumlin, Pinetop Perkins, and James Cotton on stage for a jam thanks to his good relationship with Clifford Antone.
My advice: Turn the volume up and feast your earbuds on this lovely psychedelic blues. The Alabama Shakes were great too. This show is almost be like being able to see Jimi Hendrix and Otis Redding in 1967... not as revolutionary, but the music might actually be better!
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