Customer Reviews

Heavy Picks: The Robert Cray Band Collection

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4 star:		(6)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have been a Robert Cray fan since 1986 when the amazing happened: MTV actually played a blues video in heavy rotation (SMOKING GUN). Cray, along with Stevie Ray Vaughan, opened my young ears to blues. From those guys I was able to spring back to the masters like Howlin' Wolf and Lightnin' Hopkins. Anyway, about this collection. It is an excellent sampler of Cray's material thus far. It is heavy on the material from -Strong Persuader- and -Midnight Stroll- (and rightly so, his two best albums), but it also gives a taste from all phases of his career up to 1997. As a fan, I definitely feel that important tunes were left off (BOUNCIN' BACK, THE ROAD DOWN), but everything on this disc is excellent. Highlights here include: the down and dirty FORECAST (CALLS FOR PAIN), the hit SMOKING GUN, the crisp guitar work on PHONE BOOTH, and my favorite Cray song: RIGHT NEXT DOOR (which has a great story to it as well as a catchy chorus, bluesy yet also some great pop elements). Also, I think Cray's finest guitar work is represented here at the very end, the extended solo at the end of the last song I WAS WARNED is Cray's finest moment on the axe. Cray is awesome because he is both a great bluesman and a great soul singer. Also, his sound is modern. I am a blues fan, but even I get tired of the generic sounds that sometimes prevail, but Cray doesn't do that. He doesn't just rehash what has already been done. His sound reflects the greatness of the past, but is also firmly modern and reflects his own visions. I prefer his work when he was working with producer Dennis Walker over his more recent stuff. But, this CD captures the Cray / Walker collaboration beautifully. Highly reccommended. I don't give it five stars only because they could have fit about 3 or 4 more great tracks on here.

This is a superb collection from the most soulful urban bluesman recording today. Since his 1980 debut (represented by "Too Many Cooks"), Cray has built a solid reputation as one of the music world's great singer/songwriter/guitarists.

As he approaches 50--he was born in 1953--he is poised to carry the blues/soul tradition well into the next century. His albums have always been of the highest quality and all are represented here from his Atlantic debut "Who's Been Talkin'" (now available as "Too Many Cooks") through 1997's "Sweet Potato Pie"--the only exception is 1995's excellent "Some Rainy Morning."

My only complaint is that this collection could easily accomodate another four to five songs and still remain a single disc. [Though who would complain if this had been made a more exhaustive two-disc set?] As it is, only three albums are represented by more than one song. Obviously 1986's "Strong Persuader" is the most represented with three tracks: "Smoking Gun" (which earned him some MTV exposure), "Right Next Door (Because of Me)" and "I Guess I Showed Her." "Strong Persuader" is the album that made Cray a star--and rightfully so. More than any other artist he proved that the blues could be a viable commercial force while at the same time remain faithful to the blues as an art form. Equally impressive was his Hightone debut from 1983, "Bad Influence." In addition to the title track, this collection also includes another of Cray's originals, "Phone Booth."

Whether Cray returns to his blues roots as this set clearly exhibits or he continues to pursue the Memphis-style soul of his 1999 Ryko debut "Take Your Shoes Off," his fans will simply have to wait and see. In the meantime, this is a wonderful collection from an amazing body of work. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

I was first introduced to Robert Cray when I picked up the Showdown album with Cray, Albert Collins and Johnny Copeland. I liked what I heard so I decided to give Cray's music a try. On my first listen of Heavy Picks, I didn't quite get into it. I thought Cray's music sounded too much like R&B/soul and not enough like blues for my tastes. But the second time I listened to it, I really started to dig it. Robert Cray does have a good bit of soul mixed into his music, but it's a delicious blend which blues fans and R&B fans alike can get into. Not only does Cray have a wonderful voice and mean fretpicking fingers, but he writes much of his own material. Many of the selected tunes on Heavy Picks are Cray's own compositions. His guitar style is smooth, but intense. It can be funky and soulful at times and ferocious and explosive at others. He knows his way around a six-stringer very well. He's not exactly Albert Collins or Buddy Guy though, so don't expect that sort of incendiary intensity. Heavy Picks is a good CD to get if you're new to Robert Cray's music like me. The sound quality is good and the liner notes are very good too. It also has the musicians listed for every song. Highly Recommended.

Heavy Picks is a 14-track retrospective that spans Robert Cray's brilliant recording career. Early independent label cuts like Phone Booth, Too Many Cooks, Bad Influence, and Playin' in the Dirt provide wonderful insight into the amazing song writing potential of "Young Bob" and demonstrate why the Robert Cray band was a college radio favorite. The 1986 release of Strong Persuader on the Mercury label marked an important milestone in Robert's recording career; more importantly, it helped spark a major blues revival. Cray's blend of blues and Memphis soul, combined with the Fabulous Thunderbirds straight ahead, Gulf Coast style and Stevie Ray Vaughan's merciless intensity, brought blues to the MTV generation. While hair bands like Quiet Riot, Motley Crüe, and Poison were prancing around stage in women's clothing, singing about the clichés of adolescence, Robert Cray released overtly adult themed songs like Smoking Gun, Strong Persuader, and I Guess I Showed Her. With the Grammy Award winning Strong Persuader, Robert's ability as a guitarist became the talk of every guitar-geek magazine on the newsstand - and rightly so. His percussive attack, amazing timing, and hip phrasing landed him a deal with Fender guitars that resulted in the production of the "Robert Cray" model Stratocaster. With both critical and commercial success under his belt, Cray was free to developed as an artist. With each recording subsequent to Strong Persuader, Robert has made the story the most important aspect of the song; consequently, the guitar has often been cast in a supporting role. Robert Cray is brilliant as a songwriter and often genius as an instrumentalist but what makes him special is his ability to deliver lyrics. Tracks like I Shiver, the Dream and Forecast (Calls for Pain) are testaments to Crays awe-inspiring talent as a vocalist. Roberts dynamic voice effortlessly produces the hollers, moans, and melismatic leaps characteristic of the great gospel singers in the Southern tradition. As a result, Cray is able to confidently approach songs like the Otis Redding classic, Trick or Treat and deliver it with an earnest authority. I was Warned, the final track of the album, is perhaps the best, most defining tune on Heavy Picks. This dark and brooding minor rumba is Robert Cray at his very best. Layers of guitars frame the poignant melody as Cray recalls the warnings of his friends regarding the love of his life. In a classic moment of irony, Cray sings, whether theyre right or wrong, at least the mystery is gone. Throughout his career, Cray has suffered from categorization. His music is found under the category of blues in most record stores but purists more often than not scoff at this classification. They insist that his music is not the blues in a traditional sense but, while they may have a point, it is a shame to overlook the casual brilliance of Robert Cray as a singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist. Cray may not be the torchbearer of the blues as many had hoped following his work with Albert Collins and Johnny Copeland on the Alligator release, Showdown, but he certainly represents a continuation of the legacy created by soul singers like O.V. Wright, Ottis Redding, and Marvin Gaye. Heavy Picks is not the shining jewel of the Robert Cray collection but it does provide listeners with a nicely packaged summation of the mans career.

This fine compilation covers Cray's career from 1980 to 1997. "Blues-Oriented R&B" is how Cray labels his music in the excellent liner notes, and that's what you'll get. Add Cray's superb guitar playing and you have a prime sample of the above musical phrase. At 14 songs this hits all but one of his albums up to 1997's Sweet Potato Pie. Oddly, one album is missing representation: 1995's fine Some Rainy Morning. Surely, Mercury could have included a track like "Never Mattered Much" as this CD clocks in at just under 60 minutes. Still, if you think you're interested in Cray and aren't sure where to start, this is the one. Then go and buy other CD's like Strong Persuader, I Was Warned, False Accusations and Don't Be Afraid of the Dark.

Any Robert Cray "best of" compilation is NOT complete without the fabulous tunes "On The Road Down" and "He Don't Live Here Anymore." Thus, the 4-star review. I was deeply disappointed that those 2 great songs were not included, but I'll live.

I was 14 when Strong Persuader hit the stores, and after seeing the video for 'Smoking Gun,' I ran out to the store and got my very first blues album. Since then I've expanded my taste in Blues (and music) considerably, but I still really enjoy the plucky stacatto riffs that poor, unlucky Bob treats his listeners to.

Lots of purists dismiss Cray. They shouldn't. Cray's guitar work - especially on his earlier tracks - is fantastic. The arrangements worked out betweeen the four piece band and the Memphis Horns are balanced and attentively performed. And best of all, Cray makes the blues accessible and enjoyable to all of his listeners. Not everyone can listen to Muddy Waters, or Howlin' Wolf, or even Buddy Guy without getting an introduction to the genre first. Cray provided that introduction for me, and these days I hear those three artists (and others) lurking in the background of Cray's work.

So, if you're new to the blues, or want to turn a friend on to the blues, this would be a great choice for you. And if you're not new to the blues, this would be a great choice for you, too; as long as you could give poor lonesome Bob a chance.

Seeing as this CD is a hand-picked compilation of, previously available, Robert Cray tracks, the experience of listening to this is more like what you'd hear in a live concert. Last year I was excited to attend one of Robert Cray's fantastic live performances and the fact that he had onstage with him the legendary Memphis Horns (featured on many tracks here) made it even more special.

So to give an idea of what this 'Best Of' compilation sounds like, I shall attempt to re-create the mood of witnessing Robert Cray in concert.

A Dark Club In Downtown Albuquerque.

I recently read that Robert Cray is a big fan of, soul singer supremo, Mr. O.V. Wright - and everything Robert sings, he tries to keep O.V.'s vocal presence in mind.

The house was packed (my little group was right up front near the stage) there was no seating, the lights were out and it was almost pitch black on stage. All of a sudden, the late, great O.V. Wright's emotion-packed, high tenor voice came booming out of the magnificent PA system. The choice of song couldn't have been more appropriate, it was the classic soul version of "Ace Of Spades". Needless to say, the high soul drama of this dusty old 45 caused the crowd to go wild.

As the song was playing, Robert Cray and his band could only just be seen, in the darkness, taking their places on stage. Then in one heartbeat-stopping split second, O.V. Wright ceased - and the band started up, right on time, the lights came on and there was Robert with his faithful band of musicians (including keyboard wizz - Jim Pugh) and the Memphis Horns (Andrew Love & Wayne Jackson). I have to admit that the butterflies created a strange sensation in my stomach and I felt that unique excitement one feels at only the best gigs.

Immediately, Robert opened the set with a vocal powerhouse of a song, the first track of his latest album, "Love Gone To Waste" which sounded like we could've been standing in the Hi Records studio, circa 1974. My first observation was one of surprise at how hard Robert played his guitar. I'm not kidding, he pounded that thing constantly with some real force. After every song, a guy ran on stage and swapped Robert's guitar for a freshly tuned one. He must really go through some strings. During one song he did actually snap a string, he then stopped playing, whipped the guitar off his shoulder and handed it back, while the guitar guy was already there with a replacement. All this was done without missing a beat, note, or word of the song. Very impressive and very professional.

I was really in luck because it seemed as though every song the band played was one of my favourites from the many LP's I own. Young Bob and I must have the same taste in his own songs. On the slower ones Bob sang like a road-toughened, seasoned soul man and he played his guitar with great intensity and feeling. Adding to the excitement were the Memphis Horns who swayed in time, and blew their tear-stained runs - it all looked and sounded like an exact replication of Stax Records in a live setting. It is, most definitely, the nearest thing to it today you will encounter.

Special mention must go to the Memphis Horns who were out of this world. Towards the end of "Strong Persuader", the band went into a slow vamp giving everyone a chance to show off and some room to solo. All the musicians were top notch but when the Memphis Horns took their individual turns to solo - it was absolutely mind blowing. Wayne on trumpet first - 3 or 4 minutes of pure jazz. Not the polite, supper club type jazz, but real, honest sweat-soaked, whorehouse type jazz. Complex and difficult but packed with sleazy emotion. Then, next up was Andrew on sax. Again, it was all jazz, very complex and surprisingly sweet. Towards the end of it though he got down and dirty and forced that horn to reluctantly play notes I know it was never designed to do.

This Albuquerque crowd were at full appreciation levels during the whole set and it was easy to see that the band were pleasantly surprised and must have played even better for it. At one point Robert said to the crowd, "It's been a long time since we been here, and we're gonna make sure we don't stay away this long again". That was all he needed to say to cause the crowd to raise the noise levels way above the roof.

Incredible playing from all concerned. Robert's guitar solos gradually raised the intensity of each song and the crowd were visibly pulled into each one, everytime.

The Memphis Horns - a direct link to some of the all time greats - standing right there, 20 feet away. Robert proudly displayed his very underrated soul singing. Range, power and emotion. He was screaming in the right places - just when we weren't expecting it and never overdoing it, leaving us always begging for more. They played for two hours straight then, exhausted, they left the stage and the house lights came up and background music started over the PA system.

This was no staged encore. The crowd would not let up. Feet stomped, hands clapped, voices roared. Young Bob came back on after a few minutes to rapturous applause and it was obvious the band were astonished at the sheer enthusiasm of the New Mexico crowd. A few words between each band member and they were off into "Bad Influence" and "I Was Warned".

Absolutely magnificent. If they visit your town - DO NOT EVEN THINK OF NOT ATTENDING!

In the meantime though, while you're waiting, even though you may already own all these tracks on separate CDs or albums - do yourself a favor and buy this impeccable collection of songs. Having all these songs together on one CD makes them even more enjoyable and the sound quality is really beautiful.

Robert Cray is living proof that REAL Soul Music is alive and well.

If you know Robert Cray's work, you will totally appreciate the selection of tracks that make up this compilation since every song is like mortar to the previous albums or CD's they were included in originally. If you don't have any of his previous CD's in your collection, this is one that will span much of his career.

Totally awesome cd. #12 and #14 the best. Great guitar action great blues sound listen to the words they'll make you think. Buy this if you like the blues if you like jammin guitars and a soulful singer. The band gives the whole sound depth and body which sometimes is lacking in alot of particularly older blues cd's. This is a "must buy cd! "