I've not really been aware of Robert Cray until recently. But now I've found two great songs on Youtube. Do you have any Robert Cray favourites?

I've always been a fan of Robert Cray, early albums are great. But live, he's a bit "Claptonesque" if you know what I mean; extremely accomplished - but just not particularly exciting, and zero engagement with the audience. Actually saw him together with Clapton at the Royal Albert Hall once (he was supporting EC), so it was a double helping of "lack of excitement" so to say. I don't think he'll ever steal BB King's crown or thunder, just doesn't quite have it.

I agree with Paulywaul. I loved the early albums and the band he fronted then. There was a lot of buzz about this good looking young black guy who sang like an angel and had an original guitar style (apparently he learned a lot of Albert Collins licks from his albums, not realising that Albert used a really weird tuning). For a while he was being touted as "the future of the blues". Fender produced a Robert Cray Stratocaster!

I caught him live a few times around then and, good as he was, his flawless shows just lacked that spark that keeps you coming back for more. Great player, great band, great material in great venues (I saw him in the Glasgow Barrowlands, amongst others), but for some reason I stopped buying his albums, going to his shows, etc..

Haven't heard any of his recent stuff, but I'm sure he's still playing well!

I'll go thirds on what Paulywaul said.
I last saw Cray about fifteen years ago, and he plays often in my hometown.
Last show I saw him, he played for barely an hour.
I still listen to his stuff every now & then, but I won't go out of my way to see him anymore.

RINGO

Are you shittin me???? Strong Persuader is a must for any CD collection!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Here is one of the tracks

I saw Robert Cray open for EC about 4 years ago @ The Mohegan Sun Casino his show was every bit as good as Claptons . After his set he also took the stage and played many songs with EC . Great entertainer !!

I like Cray a lot. He's not a pure blues guy, as he combines a lot of Memphis soul (and other styles) with his blues.

"Nothing But A Woman" is indeed a great song. Strong Persuader and the next 2 or 3 albums are excellent.

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Chris Fountain
RINGO

Are you shittin me???? Strong Persuader is a must for any CD collection!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, like everybody's saying, the early albums are great. Nobody's disagreeing with that (yet).

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boston2006
I saw Robert Cray open for EC about 4 years ago @ The Mohegan Sun Casino his show was every bit as good as Claptons . After his set he also took the stage and played many songs with EC . Great entertainer !!

I saw that show also . Cray was great .I enjoyed his show immensely . Of course it didn't hurt that I hit the casino for a few dollars on the way out !! Getting paid to attend a concert is GREAT !

I've seen Cray perhaps as many as 15 times thru the years. I thought his set at the Crossroads festival in Dallas in 2004 was one of the best of the entire weekend. Most recently I saw him opening up for EC in London @ the RAH and then at some USA shows. Robert really had a crack band in the late 80's and I do like the CD's/albums from that era a little better. RC plugs in and plays.......I always enjoy his shows.

All of that said from looking at some of these posts I suppose there are those that prefer the spectacle of perhaps a Kiss concert.......

I saw him twice opening for the Stones in Nijmegen 1995.
Can't really remember his performance.
I like his music.

Mr.Ed

I have seen him many many times, since the early/mid-80s. His first 'hit' record was Strong Persuader. Later onto a little more of the Memphis sound. I don't think he has a weak record. Very talented singer and player, not a super dynamic live performer - he lets the music talk.

My favorite record by him predates any hits. Try 'Bad Influence', especially the songs 'Phone Booth' and 'Bad Influence' (which Clapton later covered on one of his CDs....not very well).

And some trivia. Robert Cray has been around for over 30 yrs. John Belushi was a fan of his, seeing him play in a bar while he was filming 'Animal House'. If you look close, you can see a very young Robert Cray making a cameo as the bass player of the fictitious Otis Day and the Knights band in the movie.