C. J. Walsh

Gary Clark, Jr.

Capitol Theatre - Port Chester, New York

November 4th, 2021

View: Balcony 4th row

 

Author Robert Gordon refers to authenticity-obsessed blues fans as coming from “Planet Blues.” Gary Clark has been there but he’s also found new worlds to explore. He began with Bright Lights from his first LP, Black and Blu. The tall, lean Texan added Philly soul and a touch of Curtis Mayfield on Cold Blooded and Hold On. His set concentrated on 2019’s This Land, a definite statement of intent. His take on what it means to be a black man in America in 2021.

Feelin’ Like a Million dabbles in reggae and we got a brilliant John Lee Hooker boogie on Don’t Owe You A Thang. On appropriately titled, The Guitar Man, his distinctive playing slapped hard.

The soul and blues worlds collided in epic fashion on closer, Pearl Cadillac, where his tightly wrapped falsetto and climactic lead runs combined for a lovely send off. Still the man, but as he made clear at the Capitol, definitely his own man.