Robert William Cray
b. August 1st, 1953 in Columbus (Georgia)
IN CONCERT
Indigo
1977
Fils d'un père militaire, il commence la musique alors qu'il est encore étudiant au sein du groupe One Way Street. Robert habite successivement à Tacoma (Washington) puis à Eugene (Oregon). Passionné de Blues, il apprécie particulièrement Albert Collins et Freddie King qui influencent son jeu de guitare. C'est d'ailleurs Collins qui le prendra sous son aile et lui mettra le pied à l'étrier en l'emmenant en tournée. Ce CD capture un concert conjoint des deux bluesmen au Canada. Ils sont en forme et délivrent une belle performance. Il y a quelques morceaux un peu trop longs mais ce disque constitue néanmoins un excellent album live.
Son of a military father, he started music while still a student with One Way Street. Robert successively lives in Tacoma (Washington) then in Eugene (Oregon). Passionate about Blues, he particularly appreciates Albert Collins and Freddie King who influence his guitar playing. This is also Collins who will take him under his wing and he will help him to launch his career by taking him on tour. This CD captures a joint concert of the two bluesmen in Canada. They are in good shape and deliver a good performance. There are some a little too long songs but this disc constitutes nevertheless an excellent live album.
WHO'S BEEN TALKIN'
Tomato
Rhino
Atlantic
Charly
TOO MANY COOKS
Tomato
THE SCORE
Charly
July 1978
A la fin des années 70, Robert forme le Robert Cray Band avec son ami bassiste Richard Cousins. Il apparait également dans le film "National Lampoon's Animal House" (1978) réalisé par John Landis. Pour ce premier album, Robert montre l'étendue de ses talents : superbe chanteur, guitariste incisif et subtil, compositeur doué. Derrière lui, son groupe souple et appliqué est constitué de Richard Cousins, Tom Murphy, Curtis Salgado, Dennis Walker, Buster James, Nolan Smith. On trouve quelques reprises bien troussées comme "Too many cooks", "Who's been talkin'", "The welfare" et de remarquables compositions personnelles en particulier "That's what I'll do" et "Nice as a fool can be". Produit par Bruce Bromberg et Dennis Walker, l'album est enregistré en juillet 1978 mais ne sort pas avant 1980. A la sortie de l'album, le label Tomato rencontre de nombreuses difficultés et ne peut pas promouvoir l'album comme il le mérite. Il ne remporta malheureusement que peu de succès à cause de cela. Il connut dans les années qui suivirent de nombreuses rééditions pour différents labels sous différentes pochettes.
At the end of the 1970's, Robert formed the Robert Cray Band with his bassist friend Richard Cousins. He also appears in the film "National Lampoon's Animal House" (1978) directed by John Landis. For this first album, Robert shows the extent of his talents : superb singer, incisive and subtle guitarist, gifted composer. Behind him, his flexible and applied backing band consists of Richard Cousins, Tom Murphy, Curtis Salgado, Dennis Walker, Buster James, Nolan Smith. We find a few well-dressed covers like "Too many cooks", "Who's been talkin'", "The welfare" and remarkable personal compositions in particular "That's what I'll do" and "Nice as a fool can be". Produced by Bruce Bromberg and Dennis Walker, the album was recorded in july 1978 but will not be issued until 1980. When the album was released, the Tomato label encountered many difficulties and could not promote the album as it deserves. Unfortunately, he had little success because of this. There were in the years which followed many reissues by different labels under different sleeves.
L.A. BLUES ALL NIGHT LONG
P-Vine
July 1978
Dans cette superbe anthologie japonaise, on trouve trois titres gravés pendant les séances de "Who's been talkin'" par les producteurs Bruce Bromberg et Dennis Walker. Des morceaux remarquables en particulier "All night long" et "Where can a man go from here". Robert et son groupe jouent également derrière le pianiste Floyd Dixon dans cette anthologie.
In this superb japanese anthology, there are three titles recorded during the sessions of "Who's been talkin'" by producers Bruce Bromberg and Dennis Walker. Remarkable songs in particular "All night long" and "Where can a man go from here". Robert and his band also play behind pianist Floyd Dixon in this anthology.
BAD INFLUENCE
Hightone
Demon
Mercury
December 1982
Avec les mêmes producteurs, Robert propose ce nouvel album chez Hightone. Il est constamment étincelant au chant et à la guitare. Son groupe très homogène s'est stabilisé autour de Richard Cousins (basse), Mike Vannice (claviers, saxophone), Warren Rand (saxophone) et David Olson (batterie). On apprécie de superbes compositions personnelles (aidé parfois de Dennis Walker et David Amy) comme "Phone booth", "Bad influence", "So many women", "Where do I go from here", "No big deal" et une grosse influence Soul en particulier sur les reprises de "Got to make a comeback" d'Eddie Floyd et de "Don't touch me" de Johnny "Guitar" Watson. Cet album obtient un succès mérité et place Robert Cray au sommet de la scène Blues. L'édition CD de Hightone comprend deux titres supplémentaires.
With the same producers, Robert offers this new album for Hightone. He is constantly sparkling on vocals and on guitar. His very homogeneous backing band has stabilized around Richard Cousins (bass), Mike Vannice (keyboards, saxophone), Warren Rand (saxophone) and David Olson (drums). We appreciate superb personal compositions (helped sometimes by Dennis Walker and David Amy) like "Phone booth", "Bad influence", "So many women", "Where do I go from here", "No big deal" and a big Soul influence in particular on covers of Eddie Floyd's "Got to make a comeback" and Johnny "Guitar" Watson's "Don't touch me". This album obtains a deserved success and places Robert Cray at the top of the Blues scene. The Hightone CD edition includes two additional titles.
THE ROBERT CRAY BAND (EP)
Demon
1983
SHOWDOWN
Alligator
Sonet
August - September 1985
Associé à deux bluesmen qu'il admire, Robert brille dans ce chef d'oeuvre même s'il est un peu moins présent que ses deux acolytes. Enregistrée aux Streeterville Studios de Chicago, cette mythique réunion de trois grands guitaristes - Albert Collins, Robert Cray et Johnny Copeland - a laissé une empreinte indélébile dans le Blues des années 80. Les producteurs Bruce Iglauer et Dick Shurman ont parfaitement équilibré les interventions des trois musiciens. Accompagnés par des sidemen de premier choix (Allen Batts, Johnny B. Gayden, Casey Jones), ils se complètent merveilleusement. Robert est particulièrement en vue sur "T-Bone shuffle", "She's into something" et "The dream".
Associated with two bluesmen he admires, Robert shines in this masterpiece even if he is a little less present than his two mates. Recorded in Streeterville Studios in Chicago, this mythical meeting of three great guitarists - Albert Collins, Robert Cray and Johnny Copeland - left an indelible mark in the Blues of the 80's. Producers Bruce Iglauer and Dick Shurman perfectly balanced the interventions of the three musicians. Accompanied by first rate sidemen (Allen Batts, Johnny B. Gayden, Casey Jones), they complement each other wonderfully. Robert is particularly brilliant on "T-Bone shuffle", "She's into something" and "The dream".
FALSE ACCUSATIONS
Hightone
1985
Pour ce second album chez Hightone, Robert Cray et son équipe délivre un opus notablement moins inspiré que "Bad influence". Quelques bons moments tout de même avec "Porch light", "Playin' in the dirt", "I've slipped in her mind".
For this second album for Hightone, Robert Cray and his team deliver a notably less inspired opus than "Bad influence". Some good moments however with "Porch light", "Playin' in the dirt", "I've slipped in her mind".
STRONG PERSUADER
Mercury
Hightone
September 1986
Robert signe chez Mercury en 1986 et délivre ce superbe album de Soul-Blues contemporain rempli de compositions très efficaces comme "Smoking gun" (qu'il joue à tous ses concerts), "Right next door", "Nothin' but a woman", "I guess I showed her", "More than I can stand". Derrière lui, son groupe le supporte parfaitement : Richard Cousins (basse), Peter Boe (claviers) et David Olson (batterie). Il faut mentionner également l'apport décisif des Memphis Horns (Wayne Jackson, Andrew Love) sur certains titres. Comme à l'accoutumée, Robert chante remarquablement avec sa voix claire et expressive et ses interventions à la guitare sont tranchantes et inspirées. A la même époque, il enregistre aux côtés de Ted Hawkins sous le pseudonyme de Night Train Clemons puis participe aux concerts d'octobre 1986 qui constitueront le documentaire "Hail hail Rock 'n Roll" réalisé par Taylor Hackford sur Chuck Berry.
Robert signs with Mercury in 1986 and releases this superb album of contemporary Soul-Blues filled with very effective compositions like "Smoking gun" (which he plays during all his concerts), "Right next door", "Nothin' but a woman", "I guess I showed her", "More than I can stand". Behind him, his backing band supports him perfectly : Richard Cousins (bass), Peter Boe (keyboards) and David Olson (drums). We should also mention the decisive contribution of the Memphis Horns (Wayne Jackson, Andrew Love) on some titles. As usual, Robert sings remarkably with his clear and expressive voice and his guitar interventions are sharp and inspired. At the same time, he recorded alongside Ted Hawkins under the Night Train Clemons pseudonym then participated in the october 1986 concerts which will constitute the documentary on Chuck Berry "Hail hail Rock 'n Roll" directed by Taylor Hackford.
ON AIR
Shockwaves
1986 - 1991
Copieux recueil de bandes live capturées en 1986, 1987, 1988 et 1991. La qualité sonore est globalement satisfaisante sauf sur les titres de 1987 au son un peu étouffé. Le programme est probablement beaucoup trop long mais devrait plaire aux amateurs confirmés de Robert Cray.
Generous collection of live tapes captured in 1986, 1987, 1988 and 1991. The sound quality is generally satisfactory except on the titles of 1987 with a slightly muffled sound. The program is probably far too long but should please Robert Cray confirmed fans.
LIVE TEXAS '87
Air Cuts
LIVE AT REDUX
DOL
Silver Dollar
January 1987
Concert au Redux Club de Houston avec apparition de Stevie Ray Vaughan. Initialement, il s'agit d'une retransmission radiophonique de Q102 parue en CD en 2016. La qualité sonore est généralement excellente et Robert et son groupe parfaitement en forme. Plusieurs moments intenses avec "I guess I showed her", "Smoking gun", "Bad influence" parmi d'autres. Il faut préférer l'édition Air Cuts qui relate le concert en entier. Contrairement à l'édition DOL qui a retiré plusieurs morceaux.
Concert at the Redux Club in Houston with the appearance of Stevie Ray Vaughan. Initially, it was a Q102 radio broadcast published on CD in 2016. The sound quality is generally excellent and Robert and his group in a perfect fine form. Several intense moments with "I guess I showed her", "Smoking gun", "Bad influence" among others. We must prefer the Air Cuts edition which relates the entire concert. Unlike the DOL edition which removed several songs.
BLACK HEART WHITE HAND
Buccaneer
SMOKIN' GUN
Stentor
April 1987
Sur ce CD assez rare, on retrouve un bon concert capturé à Philadelphie présentant Robert Cray et ses musiciens réguliers. La set-list nous fait entendre de bonnes versions de ses meilleurs titres du moment : "Phone booth", "Bad influence", "I guess I showed her", "Foul play", "Too many cooks", "Smoking gun". En fin de programme, Robert est rejoint sur scène par les Fabulous Thunderbirds ("The crawl").
On this rather rare CD, we find a good concert captured in Philadelphia featuring Robert Cray and his regular musicians. The set-list features good versions of his best songs of the moment : “Phone booth”, “Bad influence”, “I guess I showed her”, “Foul play”, “Too many cooks”, “Smoking gun”. At the end of the program, Robert is joined on stage by the Fabulous Thunderbirds (“The crawl”).
AUTHORIZED BOOTLEG
Mercury
May 1987
Concert pour l'émission King Biscuit Flower Hour à Austin édité en 2010. La set-list est excellente, la qualité sonore parfaite. Robert se montre en forme vocalement et son groupe (Richard Cousins, Peter Boe, David Olson) d'une grande cohésion. On retrouve ses meilleurs titres tous bien rendus et une belle reprise de "Back at the chicken shack".
Concert for the King Biscuit Flower Hour show in Austin published in 2010. The set-list is excellent, the sound quality perfect. Robert shows himself in shape vocally and his group (Richard Cousins, Peter Boe, David Olson) of great cohesion. We find his best tracks all well rendered and a nice cover of "Back at the chicken shack".
SUMMERTIME IN ENGLAND
Buccaneer
June 1987 / 1990
NOTHIN' BUT A WOMAN (EP)
Hightone
July 1987
DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK
Mercury
June 1988
Comme sur "Strong persuader", on retrouve ici les mêmes producteurs et musiciens. Cet album est construit d'ailleurs dans la directe continuation de son prédecesseur. On retient les excellents morceaux "Don't be afraid of the dark", "Don't you even care", "Night patrol", "Acting this way" (avec le saxophone de David Sanborn).
As on "Strong persuader", we find here the same producers and musicians. This album is also built on the direct continuation of its predecessor. We can point out excellent tunes like "Don't be afraid of the dark", "Don't you even care", "Night patrol", "Acting this way" (with David Sanborn's saxophone).
DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK (EP)
Mercury
June 1988
LIVE AT THE BBC
Polydor
October 1988 / January 1991
Deux concerts à l'Hammersmith Odeon de Londres enregistrés par la BBC. Le programme est bien rendu par Robert et son groupe. Il manque peut être un peu de flamme et d'originalité dans ses interprétations solides mais académiques.
Two concerts at the Hammersmith Odeon in London recorded by the BBC. The program is well rendered by Robert and his band. It may be missing a little flame and originality in these solid but academic interpretations.
SMOKIN' GUN
Speedball
LIVE IN SPRINGFIELD
Best of Live Series
PARAMOUNT
TTW
February 1989
Concert enregistré pendant sa tournée américaine de 1989 et édité sur des disques pirates. Mais chaque édition possède un tracklisting différent donc il faut être circonspect. Il s'agit juste d'un album live de plus. Il vaut mieux se tourner vers "Authorized bootleg" ou dans une moindre mesure "Live at the BBC".
Concert recorded during his 1989 american tour and issued on bootleg discs. But each edition has a different tracklisting so you have to be circumspect. It's just one more live album. It is better to turn to "Authorized bootleg" or to a lesser extent "Live at the BBC".
MIDNIGHT STROLL
Mercury
1990
Sur cet album produit par Dennis Walker, Robert est entouré d'un nouveau groupe : le fidèle Richard Cousins (basse), Jim Pugh (claviers), Kevin Hayes (batterie) et Tim Kaihatsu (guitare). Les Memphis Horns sont aussi toujours là. Robert chante encore magnifiquement avec sa voix très Soul et les compositions signées par Dennis Walker, Robert et son groupe méritent une écoute attentive : "The forecast (calls for pain)", "My problem", "Labor of love", "Consequences", "Walk around time", "Midnight stroll".
On this album produced by Dennis Walker, Robert is surrounded by a new backing band : the faithful Richard Cousins (bass), Jim Pugh (keyboards), Kevin Hayes (drums) and Tim Kaihatsu (guitar). The Memphis Horns are also still there. Robert still sings beautifully with his very soulful voice and the compositions signed by Dennis Walker, Robert and his group deserve careful listening : "The forecast (calls for pain)", "My problem", "Labor of love", "Consequences", "Walk around time", "Midnight stroll".
I WAS WARNED
Mercury
1992
Pour ce nouvel album chez Mercury, Robert reconduit la même équipe (producteur et musiciens) et délivre un album dans la directe continuation du précédent. On trouve de bons moments dans cet album convaincant mais peu original : "Just a loser", "I'm a good man", "I was warned", "A picture of broken heart", "Our last time".
For this new album for Mercury, Robert renews the same team (producer and musicians) and delivers an album in the direct continuation of the previous one. There are good moments in this convincing but unoriginal album : "Just a loser", "I'm a good man", "I was warned", "A picture of broken heart", "Our last time".
BLUES GUITAR NIGHT : LIVE ON AIR 1992
Blueline
1992
BACK TO THE STREETS
Shanachie
1992
Dans ce disque hommage à Don Covay, Robert reprend "He don't know".
In this tribute album to Don Covay, Robert covers "He don't know".
SHAME AND A SIN
Mercury
1993
Pour la première fois, Robert est l'unique producteur du disque. Il délivre encore une belle tranche de Soul-Blues moderne et cuivrée avec "1040 blues", "Some pain some shame", "Leave well enough alone", "Up and down". On retient aussi une belle reprise d'Albert King "You're gonna need me" avec la participation de son ancien mentor Albert Collins.
For the first time, Robert is the sole producer of the record. He still delivers a nice slice of modern brassy Soul-Blues with "1040 blues", "Some pain some shame", "Leave well enough alone", "Up and down". We also point out a nice cover of Albert King's "You're gonna need me" with the participation of his former mentor Albert Collins.
THE MEMPHIS HORNS WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
Telarc
October - November 1994
Robert Cray chante "Rumors" dans cet album des Memphis Horns.
Robert Cray sings "Rumors" on this Memphis Horns album.
A TRIBUTE TO STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN
Epic
May 1995
SOME RAINY MORNING
Mercury
1995
LIVE AT THE WARFIELD THEATRE
Brainstorm
December 1995
Concert capté à San Francisco par la radio KFOG-FM avec une qualité sonore correcte. Malgré quelques longueurs, un album live plutôt plaisant à l'écoute mais mineur dans sa discographie.
Concert captured in San Francisco by KFOG-FM radio with a decent sound quality. Despite some lengths, a rather pleasant live album to listen to but minor in his discography.
NOTODDEN BLUES FESTIVAL : THE FIRST TEN YEARS
Grappa
August 1996
SWEET POTATO PIE
Mercury
1997
Dernier album pour le label Mercury, Robert grave ce disque aux mythiques Ardent Studios de Memphis. Entre blues et soul sudiste, il semble trop routinier et manque singulièrement de flamme. Un opus qui s'avère ennuyeux avec peu de compositions marquantes.
Last album for the Mercury label, Robert cuts this album at the legendary Ardent Studios in Memphis. Between blues and southern soul, it seems too routine and lacks singularly of flame. An opus that turns out to be boring with few striking compositions.
TAKE YOUR SHOES OFF
Rykodisc
1999
Arrivé chez Rykodisc en 1999, il grave ce disque à Nashville sous la houlette du producteur Steve Jordan. Un style Soul-Blues cuivré comme d'habitude (mais plus Soul que Blues ici). Quelques bons moments dans un ensemble inégal : "Love gone to waste" (avec les cuivres arrangés par Willie Mitchell), "There's nothing wrong", le superbe "Pardon" et les belles reprises de "24-7 man" de Mack Rice et de "Tollin' bells" de Willie Dixon.
Arrived at Rykodisc in 1999, he recorded this disc in Nashville under the leadership of producer Steve Jordan. A brassy Soul-Blues style as usual (but more Soul than Blues here). Some good moments in an uneven ensemble : "Love gone to waste" (with the horns arranged by Willie Mitchell), "There's nothing wrong", the superb "Pardon" and the beautiful covers of Mack Rice's "24-7 man" and Willie Dixon's "Tollin' bells".
SHOULDA BEEN HOME
Rykodisc
2001
Toujours enregistré à Nashville avec le producteur Steve Jordan. Très influencé par la Soul à l'image de ses derniers albums, ce nouvel opus me semble plus consistant que "Take your shoes off". Les puissants "Baby's arms" et "Love sickness" (une reprise de Mack Rice), deux belles compositions de Jim Pugh ("Anytime" et surtout "Out of Eden") et deux reprises d'Elmore James ("Cry for me baby", "The 12 year old boy") figurent parmi les meilleurs moments de la set-list.
Still recorded in Nashville with producer Steve Jordan. Very influenced by Soul like his last albums, this new opus seems more consistent to me than "Take your shoes off". The powerful "Baby's arms" and "Love sickness" (a cover of Mack Rice), two beautiful compositions by Jim Pugh ("Anytime" and especially "Out of Eden") and two covers from Elmore James ("Cry for me baby", "The 12 year old boy") were among the highlights of the set-list.
TIME WILL TELL
Sanctuary
2003
Après Rykodisc, Robert signe chez Sanctuary en 2003. Mais cet album a été en fait enregistré alors qu'il était encore sans label. La production et la composition des titres sont l'oeuvre de Robert Cray et son claviériste Jim Pugh. Mais l'album n'apporte rien de nouveau et répète des formules déjà connues. On retient néanmoins les intéressants "Survivor", "Back door slam", "Spare some love" et "Distant shore".
After Rykodisc, Robert signs with Sanctuary in 2003. But this album was in fact recorded while he was still without label. Production and titles composition are the work of Robert Cray and his keyboardist Jim Pugh. But the album brings nothing new and repeats already known formulas. We nevertheless retain the interesting "Survivor", "Back door slam", "Spare some love" and "Distant shore".
TWENTY
Sanctuary
2005
Malgré certains bons passages ("That ain't love", "Does it really matter", "I'm walkin'", "Twenty"), ce disque s'avère peu original et assez ennuyeux.
Despite some good passages ("That ain't love", "Does it really matter", "I'm walkin'", "Twenty"), this album is not very original and quite boring.
LIVE FROM ACROSS THE POND
Vanguard - Nozzle
May 2005
THIS TIME
Vanguard - Nozzle
2009
Après quatre ans sans nouvel album studio, Robert revient avec un nouveau groupe. Le batteur Tony Braunagel remplace Kevin Hayes et Richard Cousins retrouve la basse. Jim Pugh restant derrière les claviers. L'album est publié conjointement entre Vanguard et son propre label Nozzle. Le cocktail Soul-Blues bien produit reste similaire aux précédents albums, la plupart des morceaux manquant singulièrement de flamme.
After four years without a new studio album, Robert returns with a new backing band. Drummer Tony Braunagel replaces Kevin Hayes and Richard Cousins finds again the bass. Jim Pugh staying behind the keyboards. The album is published jointly between Vanguard and his own label Nozzle. The well-produced Soul-Blues cocktail remains similar to the previous ones albums, most of the songs singularly lacking flames.
COOKIN' IN MOBILE
Vanguard - Nozzle
February 2010
Concert en Alabama publié en CD et en DVD (avec deux titres supplémentaires). Chaude ambiance, Robert est impérial à la guitare tout comme Jim Pugh aux claviers. Des moments intenses comme "Chicken in the kitchen", "One in the middle", "Smoking gun", "That's what keeps me rockin'".
Concert in Alabama issued on CD and DVD (with two additional titles). Warm atmosphere, Robert is imperial on guitar as Jim Pugh on keyboards. Some intense moments like "Chicken in the kitchen", "One in the middle", "Smoking gun", "That's what keeps me rockin'".
NOTHIN' BUT LOVE
Provogue
2012
IN MY SOUL
Provogue
2014
Voici Robert Cray avec un groupe une nouvelle fois remanié : Richard Cousins est toujours là à la basse mais Dover Weinberg (claviers) et Les Falconer (batterie) sont les nouveaux entrants. Superbe production de Steve Jordan pour le label hollandais Provogue. Robert brille avec sa voix magnifique et sa guitare cinglante dans ce registre Soul-Blues : "You move me", "I guess I'll never know", "What would you say", l'instrumental "Hip tight onions", "You're everything". On peut mentionner aussi de belles reprises de "Your good thing is about to end" de David Porter et Isaac Hayes et de "Deep in my soul".
Here is Robert Cray with a reworked backing band : Richard Cousins is still there on bass but Dover Weinberg (keyboards) and Les Falconer (drums) are the newcomers. Superb production by Steve Jordan for the dutch label Provogue. Robert shines with his magnificent voice and stinging guitar in this Soul-Blues style : "You move me", "I guess I'll never know", "What would you say", the instrumental "Hip tight onions", "You're everything". We can also mention nice covers of "Your good thing is about to end" by David Porter and Isaac Hayes and "Deep in my soul".
FOUR NIGHTS OF FORTY YEARS
Provogue
1982 / 1987 / December 2014
Coffret 2 CD + 1 DVD : le premier CD (et le DVD) reprend un concert de sa tournée 2014 suite au disque "In my soul". Le deuxième CD offre quelques pistes live capturées lors d'une émission de télévision néerlandaise en 1987 et au San Francisco Blues Festival en 1982. Des pistes puissantes avec une excellente qualité sonore, on retient en particulier les belles reprises de "Sittin' on top of the world" et de "Wrap it up" mais aussi "The forecast (calls for pain)" ou "These things". Les bandes de 1982 et 1987 méritent également une écoute attentive.
2 CD + 1 DVD box-set : the first CD (and the DVD) compiles a concert from his 2014 tour following "In my soul" issue. Second CD offers some live tracks captured during a dutch TV show in 1987 and at the San Francisco Blues Festival in 1982. Powerful tracks with excellent sound quality, the beautiful covers of "Sittin' on top of the world" and "Wrap it up" but also "The forecast (calls for pain)" or "These things" are particularly noteworthy. The tapes of 1982 and 1987 also deserve attentive listening.
ROBERT CRAY & HI RHYTHM
Jay-Vee
2017
Album hommage à la Soul de Memphis qui a toujours influencé Robert Cray. Gravé aux Royal Studios de Memphis, il s'entoure des musiciens du label Hi : Charles & Leroy Hodges, Archie Archer ainsi que d'une superbe section cuivres (The Royal Horns). La production est une nouvelle fois confiée à Steve Jordan. Le programme est plus centré sur des reprises parfaitement rendues que sur des compositions personnelles. "The same love that made me laugh", "You must believe in yourself", "I don't care", "I'm with you", "Honey bad", "Don't steal my love" sont des moments irrésistibles et superbes.
Tribute album to Memphis Soul which has always influenced Robert Cray. Recorded at the Royal Studios in Memphis, he surrounds himself with musicians from the Hi label : Charles & Leroy Hodges, Archie Archer and a superb horn section (The Royal Horns). Production is once again entrusted to Steve Jordan. The program is more focused on perfectly rendered covers than on personal compositions. "The same love that made me laugh", "You must believe in yourself", "I don't care", "I'm with you", "Honey bad", "Don't steal my love" are irresistible and superb moments.
THAT'S WHAT I HEARD
Nozzle
2020
Toujours avec le producteur Steve Jordan, Robert délivre encore son cocktail Soul-Blues avec de remarquables compositions personnelles comme "Anything you want", "This man", "Hot", "You can't make me change". On trouve aussi les reprises excitantes de "My baby likes to boogaloo" (composé par Don Gardner), de "Do it" (un titre de Billy Sha-Rae) et un superbe Gospel "Burying ground".
Still with producer Steve Jordan, Robert again delivers his Soul-Blues cocktail with remarkable personal compositions like "Anything you want", "This man", "Hot", "You can't make me change". There are also exciting covers of "My baby likes to boogaloo" (composed by Don Gardner), "Do it" (a title by Billy Sha-Rae) and a superb Gospel "Burying ground".
THE COUNT BASIE ORCHESTRA SWINGS THE BLUES
Candid
2023
Une belle version de "The midnight hour" dans cet album collectif produit par le trompettiste Scotty Barnhart.
A beautiful version of “The midnight hour” in this collective album produced by trumpeter Scotty Barnhart.