Bad Influence

Robert Cray | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Shout Factory
• ASIN: B0000005NY
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #50,246 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

When the Washington-state-based bluesman cut this album, his second, for Hightone in 1983, Robert Cray was still four years away from his major-label, Top 40 hit "Smoking Gun." Nonetheless, his signature sound is intact: horn-colored Stax-style arrangements, a backbeat laced with funk, Cray's own gospelized vocals, and the stiletto-tipped notes that he rips from his Stratocaster. A few years later Eric Clapton covered the title song; but what's most fun here is listening to Cray pay homage to his good influences. He covers numbers by Johnny "Guitar" Watson and Eddie Floyd, and charges into his guitar solos with a brittle tone and bristling attack that at times recalls the underrated Watson, Cray's mentor Albert Collins, and Chicago legend Buddy Guy. But it's really the sound of a modern virtuoso distilling his craft from the raw material of blues history. --Ted Drozdowski

From Grove Press Guide to Blues on CD

A portent of impressive things to come. In 1983 Cray's second album trickled out of Oakland and turned a few heads. Here was a thirty-year-old unknown capable of co-writing articulate, absolutely gripping songs of forlornness ("Phone Booth") and complicated love-lust relationships ("The Grinder," "Bad Influence"). Less involving then were his spiky guitar work- too emulative of Albert King's-and his not-yet-ripe singing. -- © Frank John Hadley 1993

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Favorite Cray Album, January 23, 2010

By 

B. C. Dolsen (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bad Influence (Audio CD)

This is my favorite Robert Cray album. Everyone loves Strong Persuader... But to me this is a far more authentic, heartfelt album. I'm generally not even a fan of most of the bluesmen who appeared after the 60s, but Cray is a rare exception. He had his own way of doing the blues that was very unique, and fantastic to listen to! He's just so smooth, and put so much soul into it you can't help but love it. If you're looking to expand your musical palate you can't get any better of a contemporary blues album than this!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Robert Cray: Mr. BLUESSOUL Himself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, November 23, 2001

By 

"magicfred" (Atl,Ga) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bad Influence (Audio CD)

First saw Robert opening for the Nighthawks at the old Moonshadow club in Atlanta in 1983. This album, "Bad Influence", had just come out. It was an exceptional show albeit very short.I think this is my favorite Robert Cray album as it has such a cross of influences that Robert felt he needed to do. You can really see his development jump on this album from his earlier albums. "Where Do I Go From Here,Don't Touch Me and I Got Loaded" shows Robert's passion for getting it right. I can always put this album on and feel better afterwards!!!!!!!!!! A must for serious music lovers.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A portrait of Cray as an emerging blues force, October 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bad Influence (Audio CD)

On "Bad Influence," we get the opportunity to listen to an emerging "Young Bob." Released in 1983, this is Robert Cray when he was still just a local favorite out on the West Coast. Soulful vocals, a strong band, and biting blues guitar are all over the place here. A good portion of the album is covers; but there's much originality in the renditions.