We may not have gotten to see singer-guitarist Gary Clark Jr. during his recent visit to Pittsburgh’s Hard Rock Cafe (that’s a picture of him from last year’s Crossroads Guitar Festival), but far be it for us to argue with Rolling Stone magazine that Clark’s new EP The Bright Lights (Warner Brothers Records) is one worth checking out.
Indeed, Clark covers a great deal of ground – and quite a few guitar frets – in the EP’s four songs, starting on the fiery title track, with its no doubt-prophetic lyrics of “you gonna’ know my name.” From there, he moves on to the John Lee Hooker-ish boogie of “Don’t Owe You a Thang” before presenting a pair of live solo acoustic numbers in the quiet R&B grooves of “Things are Changin'” and a slow bluesy “When My Train Pulls In” that includes some terrific picking and strumming from this rising star.
With a full-length album expected next year, we’re already looking forward to it, and will – like Clark – be ready when that train pulls in.