Gary Clark Jr. Gets Four Stars from American Songwriter, Heats Up ACL 2015, Seeks New CMJ Peak

“It’s still early to throw accolades like ‘visionary’ around,” writes American Songwriter, “but aspects of Gary Clark Jr.’s music encourage that reaction.” The quote comes from a review of Clark’s new album The Story of Sonny Boy Slim, to which the magazine awards four-stars. Reviewer Hal Horowitz praises the Austin-based guitarist for his “raw emotion that feels lived in and real,” calling his music “audacious” and comparing him to a huge list of lofty heroes such as Marvin Gaye, Sly Stone, Prince, Curtis Mayfield, Michael Jackson, John Lennon, and Jimi Hendrix. Read the whole thing here.

Clark was on hand for this month’s Austin City Limits Festival, not only performing his own solo set but joining friends Run the Jewels and Foo Fighters for guest appearances in their sets. According to Red Bull, which sponsored the fest, Clark was “the guitar hero of ACL 2015.” For proof, go to Red Bull’s site to see three videos culled from a “blistering dusk set …  [that] delivered all of the blazing guitar fire that has made him the torchbearer for the blues in 2015.” Watch them here.