Shame & A Sin

Robert Cray | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 5, 1993)
• Original Release Date: October 5, 1993
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Island / Mercury
• ASIN: B000001E1T
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,018 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Probably Cray's finest, December 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Shame & A Sin (Audio CD)

Highly, highly recommended. Cray plays some of his most memorable and distinctive songs and shows that as he has refined and matured he has only gained in power and excitement. His singing and guitar playing are top notch, and the overall feel is grittier than many of his other albums. It's my favorite of his, and I've got them all, and it's also the album to play for those who dismiss Robert Cray as a bluesman for the wine and cheese set. In fact, this album is probably the best way to introduce anyone to Robert Cray short of dragging them to a live show.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strong Performance, December 26, 2000

By 

deepbluereview "deepbluereview" (SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shame & A Sin (Audio CD)

I am not a big fan of Robert Cray so for me to say this is a great CD is like money in the bank. Cray plays all songs straight from the heart and there are some real gems here.

"1040 Blues" should be mandatory listening during tax season and listen to the emotive guitar playing on "You're Gonna Need Me" and Stay Go". Finally, the heartfelt performance on my favorite "Up and Down" is sure to send shivers down your spine. It may have been released 7 years ago, but the songs are as fresh today as they were back then. A good selection!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting, April 19, 2000

By 

Tyler Smith (Denver, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shame & A Sin (Audio CD)

Cray delivers a strong punch with "Shame and a Sin," one of his best efforts. The songs are authentic, straight-ahead gems, and varied bill of fare offers Cray a chance to show off his considerable guitar-playing and vocal prowess.

One of the best things about Cray's playing for me is his mastery of material in minor keys. "Some Pain Some Shame" shows this off, as well as his lyrical guitar.

Best of all for me, however, is Cray's voice, which is the most compelling of all the younger blues players. It's a powerful voice, but it communicates tenderness and heartache with the convincing strength that the great soul singers had. To sample that power, try "I Shiver," "Don't Break This Ring," or best of all, "Passing By," a great slow blues that for me is one of the highlights of the CD.

Not that Cray disregards big, uptempo blues. His tax time lament, "1040 Blues," and the stinging "You're Gonna Need Me" prove that.

If you don't have any Cray, this is a great first addition to your collection. If you have others but not this one, don't delay in adding it.