Acoustic Sessions at The Sunset Marquis
Producer’s Note:
This was the last scheduled Acoustic Session of the season and in true form it ended on a high note. The opening act was a tall, slender bluesman from Austin, Texas named Gary Clark Jr. He played his red Epiphone hollow body through a Fender VibroChamp amplifier, and he strapped a harmonica around his neck like the greats of yesteryear. The first song he played was “When The Sun Goes Down”, originally made a hit by Leroy Carr in 1935. Well, young Mr. Clark would have made Leroy proud with his mesmerizing rendition of this historical tune. My first impression was that Gary was a modern day Jimmy Reed, and by the end I still felt that way. Although along the twists and turns of his dynamic set, Gary showed us more then just blues covers.
After blasting through his second tune with the style and pulse of John Lee Hooker, he showed us a playful and soulful side by singing a more contemporary R&B track which showcased his vocal talent. A request, “Bright Lights, Big City” was the last song he chose to play, and although Jimmy Reed had a song of the same title, this one was clearly Gary’s own. More than just a bluesman, Gary Clark Jr. is poised to take the world by storm, and honestly I can’t wait for his time to come. I joked with him before the set that I would take a drink every time he made a mistake. He responded by letting me know I’d be drunk, but he was wrong. I never even took a sip. Cheers to you Gary. (Listen to “When The Sun Goes Down” on the player to your right).
honeyhoney was the headliner on this glorious October evening, harvest moon full in the night sky. The energy was high and the crowd was thirsty for stimulation. Suzanne and Ben did their job and provided a heart pounding, tear welling set of emotionally charged tunes that treated the audience to the release they needed. The instrumentation was like nothing we had yet to experience at the Acoustic Sessions. Ben sat and alternated between acoustic and electric guitar while he thumped a kick drum with his right foot and a tambourine with his left, all the while singing perfect harmonies. Suzanne danced around while letting her effortless voice soar and alternating between plucking a mean banjo and playing a fiery fiddle.
Let’s just say these two performers create a very unique live experience that one needs to witness to believe. “My Old Friends” was a great story song that had the audience captivated by the inherent honesty and the brilliant musicianship reminiscent of dueling banjos. And on “Back To You” the foot stomping was unleashed with a fervent sermon about what comes around goes around. Again the guitar and banjo playing on this tune were phenomenal, and the breakdown in the middle of the song had the crowd howling at the full moon. The set was perfectly sculpted, and the songs lived together in a world of balance and inspiration. As far as I’m concerned, HoneyHoney is a must see, even if you don’t like this style of music, you will be moved. (Listen to “My Old Friends” and “Back To You” on the player to your right).
- Evan Brau
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