When Gary Clark Jr. released his EP The Bright Lights in 2011, he earned our Mark of Approval and we called him "a bona fide blues guitar hero" in the making. Now, he's looking to find similar success with the follow-up full-length, Blak and Blu, due out October 22 on Warner Bros.
The album includes 12 brand new tunes, plus a covers medley of Jimi Hendrix's "Third Stone from the Sun" and Little Johnny Taylor's "If You Love Me Like You Say" (the latter of which was popularized by Albert Collins). It was co-produced by Clark, along with Mike Elizondo (Dr. Dre, Eminem, Fiona Apple) and Rob Cavallo (Green Day, Fleetwood Mac).
According to a press release, "This is a modern amalgam of rock and soul, informed by the blues and everything in-between aimed at a new generation of music fans who want it all."
Get a taste of this sound by streaming the opening track "Ain't Messin' Around" -- which features some of Clark's own trumpet playing -- below the tracklist and tour schedule.
The slightly James Blunt-looking album cover is above.
Blak and Blu:
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')
8. Numb
9. Please Come Home
10. Things Are Changin'
11. Third Stone from the Sun/If You Love Me Like You Say
12. You Saved Me
13. Next Door Neighbor Blues
Tour dates:
9/17 London, UK - Cargo
9/22 Hamburg, Germany - Reeperbahn Festival
9/27 Melbourne, Australia - The Tote
9/28 Annandale, Australia - The Annandale Hotel
10/10 Austin, TX - Stubb's (Waller Creek Conservancy Benefit)
10/11 San Antonio, TX - Arneson River Theater
10/14 Austin, TX - Austin City Limits
10/20 - 21 Mountain View, CA - Bridge School Benefit Concert
10/26 New Orleans, LA - Voodoo Festival
11/2-3 Boston, MA - The Sinclair
11/4-5 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
11/9 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
11/10 Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of the Living Arts
11/13-15 Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour
11/16 San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
The album includes 12 brand new tunes, plus a covers medley of Jimi Hendrix's "Third Stone from the Sun" and Little Johnny Taylor's "If You Love Me Like You Say" (the latter of which was popularized by Albert Collins). It was co-produced by Clark, along with Mike Elizondo (Dr. Dre, Eminem, Fiona Apple) and Rob Cavallo (Green Day, Fleetwood Mac).
According to a press release, "This is a modern amalgam of rock and soul, informed by the blues and everything in-between aimed at a new generation of music fans who want it all."
Get a taste of this sound by streaming the opening track "Ain't Messin' Around" -- which features some of Clark's own trumpet playing -- below the tracklist and tour schedule.
The slightly James Blunt-looking album cover is above.
Blak and Blu:
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')
8. Numb
9. Please Come Home
10. Things Are Changin'
11. Third Stone from the Sun/If You Love Me Like You Say
12. You Saved Me
13. Next Door Neighbor Blues
Tour dates:
9/17 London, UK - Cargo
9/22 Hamburg, Germany - Reeperbahn Festival
9/27 Melbourne, Australia - The Tote
9/28 Annandale, Australia - The Annandale Hotel
10/10 Austin, TX - Stubb's (Waller Creek Conservancy Benefit)
10/11 San Antonio, TX - Arneson River Theater
10/14 Austin, TX - Austin City Limits
10/20 - 21 Mountain View, CA - Bridge School Benefit Concert
10/26 New Orleans, LA - Voodoo Festival
11/2-3 Boston, MA - The Sinclair
11/4-5 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
11/9 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
11/10 Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of the Living Arts
11/13-15 Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour
11/16 San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
