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DaveG
I only have his Shame and a Sin CD but I have always liked him. I lived in and around Eugene in the early to mid 70's and he was playing in the local clubs and pubs just about every weekend. I never saw him then but I know he had developed a loyal following. He was a member of "Otis Day and the Knights" in "National Lampoon's Animal House", when they played in a place called The Dexter Lake Club in the film. I actually lived across the street from the Dexter Lake Club and saw some of the scenes being filmed! But, I digress . . .

Saw him in support of Eric Clapton in '06 at RAH and he was brilliant. I liked him much better live than his recordings. He is more raw in his shows. I got some great video of him at that show before the ushers told me to put away the camera. However, the highlight of that concert was not EC, but Derek Trucks, who was part of EC's band that night. He brought a Wow-factor that neither Cray nor Clapton could muster up.

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StonesTod
I'm still stinging from all the Cray-hatred emanating from this site recently. I've calmed down a bit. I would like to believe somewhere out there that there exist other like-minded souls as me who admire Robert's multi-talents. Fabulous song-writer (Twenty comes to immediate mind), wonderful R&B singer...and has some crazy, unique guitar licks. Grew up with Robert in Eugene when he employed another great vocalist as his front-man (Curtis Salgado - still working the circuit in the Pac Northwest) and was working for tips...saw him open for John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters and always knew greater things were ahead. He done good. Listening to his latest as I write...sublime....

Others? Fave Cray records? I'd go with I Was Warned for the title track alone...as good as music gets.

Cray haters need not respond...but if you do...well, you'll see....

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24FPS
It's not hatred for Robert Cray, it's indifference. You shake your head and think, 'How can white people play better blues than this guy'? It's like the conundrum of Bill Wyman being a more soulful bass player for the Stones than Darryl Jones. George Benson was super smooth too, but he could turn on some emotion. Robert Cray, as technically good as he is, lacks depth. Once again, no hatred, no feeling whatsoever.

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KeefintheNight82
While StonesTod has annoyed me greatly here several times, it seems we have an accord.

Robert Cray is one of my favorite artists.

I never think of him as blues really, so i don't really get the whole smooth, ball room blues, put downs. To me, he has always been old fashioned soul and one of the best.

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StonesTod

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KeefintheNight82
While StonesTod has annoyed me greatly here several times, it seems we have an accord.

Robert Cray is one of my favorite artists.

I never think of him as blues really, so i don't really get the whole smooth, ball room blues, put downs. To me, he has always been old fashioned soul and one of the best.

bless you. no more annoyances, it is hoped.

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bbkink
Steve Jordan produced an album by Robert Cray titled "Take Your Shoes Off" on Ryko that's pretty damn good!

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MadMax
Well but he is rather slick man. I mean, I dig him as an artist but he ain't Curtis Mayfield or Jimmy Reed.

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DaveG
No need to worry about the Husky game. They are a much-improved team, but no match at all for the Ducks.

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Elmo Lewis
I like a lot of his stuff. Certainly not gutbucket or raw blues, but a polished modern singer of blues-based soul music. Pretty nice picker too.

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Koen
Maybe you should try to find more Cray fans on a Clapton forum.

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DaveG
Not huck the fuskies but they will have a hard time with Oregon. However, the Ducks will have a tough time with Stanford.

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StonesTod

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Koen
Maybe you should try to find more Cray fans on a Clapton forum.

but...but...i'm finding plenty here, thankfully. i will soon start my much-anticipated OFFICIAL ERIC CLAPTON APPRECIATION THREAD here, as well. stay tuned!

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StonesTod
i get to eugene at least once a year - usually for a duck game...live in austin now - made it to the lsu game this year...we been good since then...worried about the husky game, though....

love eugene...just no way to make a living there.

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liddas
There was a time when he was presented on every guitar mag as the new blues guitar hero. What I heard then didn't move me. Probably too "intellectual" to be my cup of blues. The first impression remained until sometime ago someone gave me a DVD of Clapton's crossroads festival, and I gotta say that Robert's performance was truly great. The kind of greatness that can come only from great musicians, not only great players. Ok, so now that I've changed my mind, what is the essential RC recording to buy?


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