Blak and Blu (Deluxe Version)

Don't waste your money on this trash

I saw Gary Clark Jr. on tv and the live performance was awesome. He still has the same voice and guitar talent on the album but it lacks originality. The hooks and outstanding riffs remind me of other songs - and not enough to make me say he "reinvtented" them. Sorry to say because he seems cool.

B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Joss Stone, now I'll add Gary Clark Jr. love this album!

I really like this album!

A masterstroke of an album, cutting edge modern sound - deep in the blues-rock tradition. Gary isn’t some slick silky player, he’s all soul and tradition. Songs such as When My Train Pulls In, Bright Lights, Numb, You Saved Me, Please Come Home and the pop hit Ain’t Messin ‘Round are all stellar songs. The rest, for me anyway are near-misses aimed at soul and rhythm & blues - decent attempts and not without merit, but not as satisfying. If you like the soul angle – it’s more effective in The Story of Sonny Boy Slim. It’s an uneven package, but when it’s good, it’s really good. Don't miss out.

This man is incredible -- this is an eclectic and fascinating collection of songs. To be sure, they are not organized in a consistent and predictable way. But this is what I loved about it. Each was a surprise, and I couldn't wait to hear the next. Gary, I am a total fan!

I am a big rock and roll fan. I love the Foo Fighters, and I like dabbling in the blues and jazz a little bit too (in being rounded in a few different genres I learned a lot about music). I recently watched the Foo Fighters Sonic Highways tv episode featuring Gary Clark Jr, and I was instantly hooked. He talked about how he was heavily influenced by the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan, and ripped out crazy blues solos on his guitar, just like Stevie. Gary Clark Jr is a hidden gem with loads of natural talent, but he's young, and I think this album is evidence that the Industry is taking advantage of his youth and pushing him around, making him sing some R&B as well. Gary Clark Jr is not a R&B guy. I never saw any type of R&B from him on Sonic Highways, which leads me to believe that under the protection of somebody like Dave Grohl, who is very established in music, he can say and do what he wants. I love Gary Clark Jr. I'm hooked on him, and once he gets a little older and a little wiser, and rises through the ranks of the Industry, he'll learn not to be pushed around and he'll break out to almost the level of Buddy Guy or Ray Charles. Keep an eye on him.

Love the album. Love the diversity. Gary can cover a lot of bases. Afterwards had the opportunity to see him live. As much as I liked the album he blew me away live.

Mr Clark is as pedigree as they come and don’t let the iTunes mastered mainstream stink create a doubt. Mr Clark knows dirty and he’s throwing it down. Righteous blues rock and roll needs little explanation. Does it hit you in the hip? And on a sultry summer night?

I get that he has many musical influences being that he's from Austin, TX but it's a tad annoying jumping from crunchy blues rock riffs to smooth R&B. It throws off the flow of listening and the flow of the album. Songs like Numb, When My Train Pulls In, and Bright Lights are nitty gritty blues with a guitar style derivative of Jimi Hendrix while other songs like the title track and The Life are smoother, more R&B and soul. Not really sure why he chose to feature both on the same album. He should stick to the blues because he sounds better as a bluesman but I know he won't because no one makes money playing the blues anymore. Either way, pick a genre, Gary. I need to start streaming new albums on YouTube before buying because this was a wasted purchase