Smooth ‘n soulful: Robert Cray

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

By Aaron Davis

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-Three decades of soulful blues-rock, more than 1,000 concerts worldwide, and five Grammy’s - there’s no denying the impact Robert Cray has infused into the story of contemporary blues. At 55 years old, Cray appears to still be in full stride, returning to Jackson after the tracking of his 18th album, This Time, to be released in mid-August on his own Nozzle Records.

Cray formed his first band with bassist Richard Cousins in 1974, who returns to the Robert Cray Band to join longtime keyboardist Jim Pugh and new drummer Tony Braunagel. Braunagel has backed Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal, Eric Burden, and Rickie Lee Jones.    

“I’ve been floored, it’s a fresh sound,” Cray said, who just returned from touring in Japan and Brazil.

Cray’s blend of old-school soul (a la Sam Cooke) and the instrumental prowess of blues legends like Buddy Guy, is all his own. His sound is crisp and clean, with little edge, and he knows how to take his sweet time to get his point across.

The Robert Cray Band of today tours the country in a much more civilized fashion than during the days when Cray made a cameo as bassist in the house party band, Otis Day and the Knights in the 1978 film Animal House.

“Back then we were doing it in a van, sleeping on top of the gear,” Cray said with a laugh. “We were playing mostly bars in the early days, and crashing in sleeping bags on floors.”

Cray backed his hero, Albert Collins, for a short time, but much of his career has featured his name on the marquee. In 1983—the same year he released Bad Influence—Cray took his band on their first national tour with the John Lee Hooker and Willie Dixon. He quickly earned the praise of legendary guitarist Muddy Waters, who then introduced them as his opening act. In addition to winning his first of 25 awards from the Blues Foundation in 1986, Cray received two Grammy Awards for Mercury release “Strong Persuader” and his collaboration with Collins and Johnny Copeland on “Showdown!” He would go on to receive eleven more Grammy nominations.

Cray now has complete control over his career, including studio production and decisions.

“I was able to produce some of the Mercury releases and had good experiences with Rykodisc as well,” Cray said. “I still have distribution with BMI and Vanguard …the difference is that I fork out the studio money instead of the record company. Its nice being able to make decisions about the music.” JHW

Courtesy photo
Robert Cray

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Smooth ‘n soulful: Robert Cray | Planet JH News Article: Music Box

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