Tonight is the first of three sold out shows and with reference that some of the set tonight will have added poignancy because of the Paris shootings Clark launches into three of his best songs, ‘Bright Lights’ ,‘Aint Messin Around’ and ‘When my Train pulls in’. Thirty minutes of blistering blues guitar for these three classics.
Clark is a virtuoso guitarist and no matter what flavour of the blues you like he delivers, from Mississippi to Chicago to Texas and Hip Hop he’s at the top of his game. I don’t think I saw him look at his fret board once during the two hour set that flew by.
What strikes me is also the range of his voice and we shouldn’t forget that he is a fine singer as well as fine axeman. Clark is backed by a fine three piece band with a solid rhythm section driving the beat along and is ably supported by a second guitarist who must have the hardest job in the world to play second fiddle to Clark. But he carries it off with some impressive solos himself.
It’s difficult to pick a highlight as it’s a consistently excellent show but the opening thirty minutes will live long in the memory. It’s live where Clark excels and his studio albums do not do him any justice and all sound too controlled and safe.
The blues is certainly not dead and as is shown tonight and the next two there is a growing audience for the genre. Clark is leading the charge and the future is safe in his hands
Keep on rockin y’all