Gary Clark Jr. - Blak and Blu [2LP]

2012's Blak And Blu marked the major label full-length debut album of singer/songwriter/guitarist extraordinaire Gary Clark Jr. Produced by Mike Elizondo (Dr. Dre, Mastodon, Fiona Apple), Rob Cavallo (Green Day, My Chemical Romance) and Clark Jr., apart from Clark on guitar, vocals and trumpet, Blak and Blu features performances from drummer J.J. Johnson, keyboardist Zac Rae, and Elizondo on bass. In addition to 12 of Clark's original compositions, it also features a blistering cover of Little Johnny Taylor's (popularized by Albert Collins), "If You Love Me Like You Say / Third Stone From The Sun" (Jimi Hendrix) which is actually a complete reworking of the song utilizing the Hendrix riff reinterpreted by Clark. The result is an extraordinary hybrid of the two ideas that breathes new fire to an old favorite.

Hitting No. 1 on the Blues Albums chart and peaking at No. 6 on the Billboard 200, Blak and Blu earned Clark Jr. his first two Grammy nominations, one for Best Rock Song ("Ain't Messin Round") and the other for Best Traditional R&B Performance ("Please Come Home") which won.

"Owing as much to Kurt Cobain and the Ramones as Buddy Guy and John Lee Hooker, indebted to hip-hop and psychedelia, his shape-shifting calling card is grounded in tradition while standing on the brink of change" proclaimed Rolling Stone. "Gary Clark Jr. cuts through a stunning blend of rock and soul. Clark can sing some sweet R&B, but at heart, he's a blistering blues-rock guitarist who's about to blow up big," added NPR. Make no mistake about it; Gary Clark Jr. is not just a "blues man." This is a modern amalgam of rock & soul, informed by the blues and everything in-between aimed at a new generation of music fans who want it all!

Lp1
1. Ain't Messin 'Round
2. When My Train Pulls In
3. Blak And Blu
4. Bright Lights
5. Travis County
6. The Life
7. Glitter Ain't Gold (Jumpin' For Nothin')

LP2
1. Numb
2. Please Come Home
3. Things Are Changin'
4. Third Stone From The Sun/If You Love Me Like You Say
5. You Saved Me
6. Next Door Neighbor Blues