ROBERT CRAY – 4 Nights of 40 Years Live
aaamusic | On 19, Sep 2015
Acclaimed American blues guitarist and singer songwriter Robert Cray merges delta blues and urban soul in his own personal style. He’s won five Grammy Awards and been inducted into the Blues Hall Of Fame.
Robert’s double CD and DVD 4 Nights of 40 Years Live, released on August 28th, 2015 on the Netherlands Mascot label, celebrates his 40th year in the music business.
The first CD, 13 tracks recently recorded from four nights in Los Angeles, was produced by Steve Jordan and his rocky band comprised Richard Cousins (bass), Dover Weinberg (keyboard) and Les Falconer (drums). Guesting were Kim Wilson (vocals), Lee Oskar (harmonica), Trevor Lawrence (sax), Steve Madaio (trumpet) and Tom Scott (sax).
Here there are many classic soulful tracks including ‘Bad Influence’, ‘Right Next Door (Because of Me)’ and ‘Love Gone to Waste’. The slow and passionate ballad ‘Time Makes Two’ is beautifully expressive and a personal favourite.
The bonus CD is a youthful reflection of Robert’s early career. Featured are his fine set from the 1982 San Francisco Blues Festival and a 1987 appearance on Dutch TV Show ‘Countdown’. Numbers include ‘Smoking Gun’ and ‘Too Many Cooks’.
The 94 minute DVD 4 Nights of 40 Years Live is a retrospective look at Robert’s music. It combines clips from the San Francisco Blues Festival, the Dutch TV show and the four concerts of the first CD. Robert talks about his personal philosophy and there are interviews with Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Jimmie Vaughan, Bonnie Raitt and Buddy Guy.
Robert Cray continues to play timeless songs about heartbreak and romance that refresh the blues without forgetting its origins. In a live performance I’ve witnessed the creativity and energy of his music and these are recordings that show his grace, confidence and intelligence.
