Article and photos by: Gary Flink

Port Chester, NY-  Playing a blistering two hour show at the Capitol Theatre on September 6th, Gary Clark Jr. reminded everyone in the crowd why he is widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists in music today.

Starting the night off in stellar fashion was the amazing, country-infused duo of Ruby Stewart and Alyssa Bonagura known as The Sisterhood. Ruby is the daughter of rock icon Rod Stewart, and Alyssa is the daughter of Kathie Baillie and Michael Bonagura from the country band Baillie & The Boys, so there is certainly a heaping amount of musical talent in their blood. Their joyful passion and incredible on-stage chemistry was immediately evident and easy to see as they delivered a show opening set list of songs filled with poetic lyrics and beautiful, effortless harmonies to kick off the evening.

Gary Clark Jr. took to the dimly lit, smoky stage shortly after 9pm, with his candy apple red Gibson SG in hand. Opening with the gritty “Bright Lights” from his Blak and Blu album, the New York crowd roared their approval with the song’s opening line, “Woke up in New York City.” From there he played a highly charged, energized set of songs from his most recent album, The Story of Sonny Boy Slim and from 2012’s Blak and Blu.  From start to finish the night was full of funk, soul, rock n’ roll, and Gary Clark Jr. signature vintage style blues, with plenty of extended instrumental solos mixed in to showcase his incredible and extraordinary guitar skills.

While he clearly has a sound that’s all his own (though honed from his diverse musical influences while growing up in Austin, TX), he frequently draws comparisons to some of the greatest and most well known Blues legends…Clapton, Stevie Ray and BB King just to name few. Make no mistake about it though, Gary Clark Jr. is currently writing his own name in music history with every live show and performance he does. His show at the Capitol Theatre was just another chapter in what will be a storied career.