Gary Clark Jr. ‘Live/North America 2016’

Album Review

By Stu Kelly / March 30, 2017

Gary Clark Jr. released his second live album earlier this month via Warner Bros. Records and added another exciting meander in his booming career. Live/North America 2016 is full of new and unreleased recordings culled from Clark’s 2016 tour, in support of his 2015 studio release The Story of Sonny Boy Slim. The new release was recorded absolutely live, without any overdubs. What you hear is exactly how it went down on stage. The Austin native continues to ravish audiences with his incredible talent, showmanship and daring sense to explore and improvise in a live setting. This new album represents everything Gary Clark Jr. stands for as an artist. 

One of the most monumental tracks on the album is a take of “Cold Blooded” where Clark’s voice is as beautiful as ever. Clark is effortlessly carrying the torch of the Blues genre to younger generations. His rich voice and adept guitar playing serve up a contagious blend of Blues that even the average listener can’t help but to be engrossed with. Once Clark “rolls up his sleeves” and starts improvising beautiful moments seem to just develop naturally. On “When My Train Comes In” Clark opens the song up and stretches its boundaries well past the nine-minute mark. The result is a tasteful use on effects that highlight his soloing abilities and don’t distract away from his sheer talent. 

Two previously unreleased covers also make it on the album as Clark pays a beautiful homage to Elmore James’ “My Baby’s Gone” and Jimmy Reed’s “Honest I Do,” proving that while Clark is a contemporary artist his roots are still firmly planted in the past. Leon Bridges makes an appearance on “Shake” with his own saxophonist Jeff Dazey and together the two add an explosive duo of soul and energy on Clark’s original number. The new album is a must have for fans of the Blues. It’s a beautiful representation of an artist that burst on the scene years ago, who continues to evolve and expand as an entertainer. 

Track Listing:

• Grinder
• The Healing 
• Our Love 
• Cold Blooded 
• When My Train Pulls In 
• Down To Ride
• You Saved Me 
• Shake (feat. Leon Bridges w/ Jeff Dazey) 
• Church I am
• Honest I Do 
• My Baby’s Gone
• Numb

Check out Gary Clark Jr.’s take on the Elmore James cover “My Baby’s Gone” from the new live album below.