The Story of Sonny Boy Slim
Gary Clark Jr
(Warner Brothers)
Three stars
There's been a lot written about Gary Clark Jr since a barnstorming blues performance at Clapton's Crossroads festival in 2010, followed by his breakout album Blak and Blu two years later.
His impressive and mythically titled new album finds him incorporating more elements into his sound. The guitarist from Texas draws on influences including hard rock, hip-hop and old-school soul with some focused, fuzzy guitar fills that weave around that supple Marvin Gaye-ish croon.
The swaggering Cold Blooded has a tinny-sounding guitar pattern over a great bass line. The album's kickback moment is the unashamedly gospel Church, a track that would fit nicely on a Handsome Family album. You will then find yourself leaping about to Shake's quick shuffle, which borrows just a little from The Who's My Generation with its almost military rhythms.
The Story of Sonny Boy Slim confirms Clarke Jr's talents, it also suggests that labelling him as simply a bluesman is restrictive.
nwalsh@thenational.ae
