Ra'shad The Blues Kid, born Larry McGill on September 30, 1987, in Laurel, Mississippi, has not appeared prominently on radio playlists or in year-end best-of selections by the media, but this injustice has not stopped this bluesman from recording three solid and demanding albums to date, while performing in bars, clubs and festivals, entertaining the most selective fans. An intimate and flawless guitarist, an elegant showman, Ra'shad provides consistency for many young blues musicians eager to continue the work of keeping the blues music alive in these times of scorching digital inconsistency.
This fourth album, recorded live at Ground Zero in Clarksdale, is a detailed representation of what blues music can offer today. At 37, McGill is the present of this musical genre, with songs that respect tradition while infusing innovation and a deliberate return to good taste and consistency. "Live In Clarksdale" showcases a hopeful reality.
Given the duration of the songs, it’s not a good idea to cut any of them before they finish; it would be better to reduce the number of songs.