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Recorded and filmed at Alabama’s Saenger Theatre in early 2010, the 2-disc set titled COOKIN’ IN MOBILE marks both Robert Cray’s forth live album since 2006 and the first performance video of his career. With this latest release celebrating Cray’s 30th anniversary as a recording artist, his fans will revel in exciting performances of past classics like “Right Next Door” and “Smoking Gun” as well as current favorites from 2009’s studio effort THIS TIME, such as “Chicken In The Kitchen”, “I Can’t Fail”, “Love 2009” and “That’s What Keeps Me Rockin’”.
Like all great blues artists, Cray has developed a sound that is undeniably his own. It may not cater to those critics looking for “edge”, but his custom blend of blues, soul, rock and gospel has helped make him (arguably) America’s most successful contemporary blues singer/guitarist. COOKIN’ IN MOBILE may not bring anything new to the table, but it marks a milestone in Cray’s ongoing journey as a bluesman and documents where he is today as a live performing artist; and with 2008’s LIVE AT THE BBC (recorded in 1988 and 1991) and AUTHORIZED BOOTLEG: AUSTIN TEXAS 5/25/87 (released earlier this year) we can now track his evolution as a stage performer for the first time.
Ultimately COOKIN’ IN MOBILE captures Robert Cray doing everything that he is known for. His voice is in fine form and his guitar-playing (though not my particular taste) is as twangy, disjointed and heartfelt as ever. The band is tight and their energy is fun. If you’re a fan of Cray’s past work, you will undoubtedly be satisfied with this latest live CD/DVD release…and at $13, it is a great value.
Highlights include the laid back cover of Howlin’ Wolf’s “Sitting On Top Of The World”, the driving instrumental outro on “Chicken In The Kitchen” and the (DVD only) performance of Cray’s classic “Phone Booth”.
Thanks and keep reading American Blues News and also check out Media Wah Wah for more of this writer’s thoughts and opinions about Movies, Music, TV & More.
NYC blues fans, make sure you check out Jack Bruce & Joey Molland live at B.B. King's Blues Club and Grill on August 10th and John Mayall on the 13th!!!
2009 finds soul/blues veteran Robert Cray at the start of what many are calling “a new era” in his long and respected career. Vanguard Records’ THIS TIME marks Cray’s first studio effort in 4 years and finds the middle aged guitar-slinger accompanied by an almost entirely new personnel of backing musicians; his biggest band overhaul in 16 years.
Despite the new band line-up, the 9 tracks found on THIS TIME do not find Cray breaking any new ground, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Familiar themes of emotional disconnect and “love on the rocks” run throughout this tastefully executed (and produced) collection of well-written soul-infused blues compositions and Cray’s distinctive vocal-style and patented Stratocaster tone are in place. His guitar playing shines on the album’s more upbeat and light-hearted material, like the quirky opening track, Chicken in the Kitchen and the Jimmy Smith-esque jazz number That’s What Keeps Me Rockin’, but it is on the slower/more serious material, like the title track and the album closer Truce, that fans will find the clean and passionate vocal that they’ve come to expect and cherish.
The singer/guitarist may not be exploring uncharted waters, but he is working with the same tried-and-true formula that has pleased his loyal and substantial fan-base for decades and gained him the respect of the music industry’s elite. There are no surprises, but THIS TIME is a well-constructed collection of soul/blues material that is sure to satisfy any Cray fan…or blues fan for that matter.
After waiting for Robert Cray to return from a tour in Japan, I finally got a call so we could talk.
Robert Cray:Hi Don. This is Robert Cray.
Don Vecchio:Hi Robert. Welcome back to the States. How did the Blues go in Japan?
RC: Thanks. The Blues are always welcomed with open arms in Japan.
DV: Really? I had heard a bit but had no idea. Has it been that way for a while or has it been recent?
RC: Oh, for many years. I first played in Japan in the early 80’s with John Lee Hooker. There was a huge line of people with old John Lee albums to be signed.
DV: That’s incredible. I know you have a bittersweet story about Johnny Guitar Watson while you were performing in Japan.
RC: Yes, I was scheduled along with him at the Japan Blues Carnival (1996). I met him on the elevator and was excited. Later that night, he died on stage. It was such a tragedy.
DV: I’m sorry to hear that. He was a great talent and a good person, I’m sure. Speaking of great talents, I was watching an incredible video on youtube. The longer it went, the more amazed I was. It was listed as “Let the Good Times Roll” BB King and Albert King. I started watching. One by one comes- Junior Wells, you, Dr. John, Etta James, KoKo Taylor, Ry Cooder, Willie Dixon! WOW! Where and when was that filmed? How did they assemble all that talent on one stage?
RC: Oh, yeah. That was the Grammy Awards back in the late 80’s. There was that wild sax player, too.
DV: Big Jay McNeely-he was crawling backwards on the stage while playing.
RC: That’s it exactly! (laughs)
DV: You know you all sounded like you’d been playing together for years. How can you all do that with short practice time?
RC: It’s easy. You practice for an afternoon and you’re so scared you’ll be the one who screws up. You play the best you possibly can (laughs). The hardest part was that Ry Cooder and I tried to adjust to the way Albert King tunes his guitar. It was different and a little difficult.
DV:Robert, You have a pretty unique style on guitar and your music, itself. I really can’t look at any performer and say, “That’s where Robert Cray got his style.” Who were your influences?
RC: Well, that’s tough to pinpoint. My father was in the Army in Germany. That’s where I first got into music. We listened to Armed Forces radio. There was a mix: my dad liked Sara Vaughan and Ray Charles; my mother liked the singers like Sam Cooke and the Dixie Hummingbirds. It was from 1961-1963. I played the piano back then. After that, we moved back to Washington State. I quit the piano and picked up the guitar. I wanted to be a Beatle.
DV: (laughing) I think we all did back then.
RC:True, but then I listened and played Jimi Hendrix. He was from the area. The following year we moved to Newport News, Virginia and then I joined my first band. We played Hendrix and other rock. Then we moved back to Washington and got together with friend, Bobby Murray, who later played guitar for Etta James on tour. We played together through school. We were introduced to the music of Buddy Guy, Magic Sam, Albert King, Albert Collins and more. That’s where the blues influence kicked in. In 1974, I formed the Robert Cray Band.
DV: So, it’s tough to pinpoint one person as your main influence?
RC: Well, if I had to pick one person, I’d say Albert Collins. Love his great style on guitar.
DV: Good choice, I love the Iceman.
DV: Do you prefer playing before a live audience, where it’s possible for errors, faulty equipment and tired from touring…or playing in a studio where you can take your time and perfect your music?
RC: Oh, live for sure. Live is where it’s at! Even if you’re worn from the road, once you get on stage you get and adrenalin rush. You have no idea where it comes from but it’s there; even three hours after you’re done, you still are trying to wind down. (laughs)
DV: That’s great. I think it’s easy to tell the bands who love playing for an audience. I’ve seen it.
RC: Oh, yes. I have too. As far as the studio…”you’ll never attain perfection.” So just go out and play the best you can!
DV: One more interesting item-I understand you had your big screen debut in Animal House.
RC: Oh yes, I was the bass player in Otis Day and the Knights .They were filming that near where I lived.
DV:Thank you, Robert. I can’t wait to see you perform.
Thanks for a great interview, Don! Our guest writer today is Don Vecchio, who is the Vice President of my local blues society, Blues Society of Western Pennysylvania. His past accomplishments as co-editor of his college newspaper are paying off, as he is a major contributor for the BSWPA publication. You can catch all the great things happening in Pittsburgh at their website: www.bswpa.org
What makes American Blues News unique is our coverage across America. Here is our lineup:
Mon: Memphis Correspondent - Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms
Nighthawk is our resident globetrotter and man behind the scenes, as he tours with the Reba Russell Band.
Tues: New York Correspondent - J. Blake Blake is the American Blues News review and interview guru. You may catch him out and about in NY playing the blues.
Wed: National Correspondent - Monica Yasher Monica is our executive director and artist interview specialist. You can catch Monica singing the blues around Pittsburgh or working on some country music songs in Nashville.
Thurs: Washington, DC Correspondent - Virginiabluesman
Geraldo offers inteviews and reviews. You may have seen him at an Ana Popovic concert or conversed with him on her websites, as he offers administrative support with her music.
Fri: Northeast Photographer - Nelson Onofre Nelson offers a Friday column of blues photography and pictorial support for the interviews covered by the team.
Jim Stick in Colorado
Jim will be focusing on the Blues Festivals in the beautiful state of Colorado, and the artists that live and visit there.
Maureen Elizabeth, our resident art correspondent, will be focusing on blues art as she explores the creation of CD covers, or speaking with artists who also have a love of creating pictorial art in addition to their music! She may also feature some of her good friends in the Pittsburgh area. In her love of art, you may find Maureen's photography accompanying writer's articles on our pages. Maureen is also our marketing director.
Pittsburgh correspondent and photographer, CR Bennett, will share the Pittsburgh scene with all of you. You may also see CR's pictures accompanying other writer's articles.
We head to the big state of Texas! Abby Owen, our Texas correspondent.
Another big area to cover, the West Coast with Casey Reagan, Casey will feature many artists and events on this ocean's shores.
Lastly, we have our roving blues entertainment writer,
Chef Jimi.
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