Posts Tagged Robert Cray
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May 15, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
Don Bryant: Don’t Give Up On Love
Don Bryant Don’t Give Up On Love Fat Possum Records How timely to receive this at almost exactly the same time as the fabulous new Robert Cray album. Both records use the same rhythm section – those magical players from Hi Records; responsible for the magic across records by Al Green and Ann Peebles and […]Archive
May 11, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
Five Songs For Friday: # 12 – Nice New Things
It’s been a wee while since I’ve offered up a Five Songs For Friday and even longer since it was about new music, brand new music, music new to me…stuff I’ve found through reviewing or snooping about through the channels. So here we go then…Five Songs For Friday: Nice New Things…from brand new artists and […]Archive
May 8, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
Robert Cray & Hi Rhythm: Robert Cray & Hi Rhythm
Robert Cray & Hi Rhythm Robert Cray & Hi Rhythm Jay-Vee Inc./Southbound Here’s a wonderful pairing – Robert Cray (sweet soul voice, great guitar licks) and Steve Jordan (superb drummer and wunderkind producer). Completing this perfect connection is the decision to record in the still-running Royal Studios, home of Hi Records. You know Hi from […]Archive
February 15, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 583
Chicago Smoke Shop, Mind On My Sleeve [Single] (1988) Long before I knew Darren Watson or any of his music as a solo performer I knew this song – and a couple of others from the band. I remember seeing the clips on TV, I never saw the band live – but they were a big […]Archive
January 17, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
Remembering Robert Cray’s Bad Influence: A Sentimental Favourite From A Class Act
Man, I love Robert Cray. That liquid tone of his, that smooth sweet-soul voice that is not quite Sam Cooke but is certainly derived from that source. The churning, chugging, endlessly grooving backing band. Disco hi-hats and the two-stepping blues-plod of the bass. Then there’s the way Cray pinches at the neck of his guitar […]Archive
April 6, 2016 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 719
Albert Collins/Robert Cray/Johnny Copeland, Showdown! (1985) Being a Robert Cray fan at a young age was kinda cool – my mum bought Bad Influence on a whim, next thing the whole family was hooked…and though I was into a lot of other blues guitarists already and certainly after that Cray connection was great in the […]Archive
June 24, 2014 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 1094
The Robert Cray Band, False Accusations (1985) I was a huge fan of Robert Cray for a long time – and then not much of a fan at all for perhaps a longer time. His latest album has me newly enthused; a return to form from a guy who has actually been consistent – probably […]Archive
April 8, 2014 by Simon Sweetman
The Robert Cray Band: In My Soul
The Robert Cray Band In My Soul Mascot I first heard Robert Cray with the album Bad Influence – it’s 30 years old now, it’s stayed with me. I’ve liked a lot of his music but that’s the album I go back to; it’s the one I’ve always hoped he could…well, not replicate, but compete […]Archive
March 1, 2012 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 1599
Robert Cray, Strong Persuader (1986) Always thought Robert Cray was a lot better than a lot of people think; including himself. His records, increasingly, under-represent (and under-value) his talents. But the first few still have some soulful vocals and some stinging guitar lines. The soul/R’n’B horn-drenched material of the 1990s became all too interchangeable. I […]Archive
June 25, 2011 by Simon Sweetman