Customer Reviews

Shoulda Been Home

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Those familiar with the Robert Cray Band need no encouragement from my review - just click the order button and once again you will be treated with the best blend of passionate soul, blues, and r-n-b ever to grace our unworthy disk drives. Those of you less familiar with the work of these amazing talents, I envy you as you are in for a treat!

There is an evolution on SBH, (perhaps even more so than on the outstanding Grammy Winning release 'Take Your Shoes Off'), and it is something to behold. Yes, the 'tightest band' around still displays the genius. Jim Pugh continues to show he deserves the Handy for his keyboard and organ work every year. Kevin Hayes' work is impeccable as always, particularly shinning on the cover tunes. Karl Sevaried driving rhythm is flawless and on. The main evolution here comes from Mr. Cray himself. Gone is the guitar slinging 'Young Bob', self-professed road man of yesteryear. In his place the always confident, always humble, ever growing and creating 'not as young Bob' has obviously grown older and happier. It suits him well. There is a maturity here even beyond what we always expect. The subtleness and soft-spoken guitar work seems to fit perfect with his deeper, and closer to the mike vocals. While long ago Robert and his strat have been respected in the same class as his guitar hero's Collins and Copeland, with SBH perhaps he will finally truly be appreciated for his incomparable vocal talents with his Vocalist hero's Otis and OV.

The music seems to say: yah, we get the blues sometimes - relationships are tough - but I'm happy and life IS good, can I share it with you. The first track 'Baby's Arm's' highlights this fact...I popped this in my car stereo when I got back from a 7 day trip and it had smiling from ear-to-ear thinkin' about my baby.

The slow-burning bluesy-soul RCB is here with 'Already Gone' and 'Help Me Forget' recalling classic Cray love and relationship pain. One of the disks highlights 'Far Away' co-written with Mr. Cray's wife (the second such effort) shares a whole story in just a few versus. It seems to tell the painful too often occurrence of a man who still loves his family, but is having trouble loving himself, it makes you want to know the rest of the story and hope that it has a good ending. Another highlight, and one of the two tracks contributed by Mr. Pugh 'Anytime' is a perfect track for those that like their blues funky. While a retro feel, the groove is pure infectious and the albums best showcase of a band that seems to come together as one so effortlessly. The soft-spoken, mature 'No One Special could prove to be most listeners favorite as it drips sweet soul music. We can assume that the upcoming tour will feature the 10 minute plus blues jam 'Out Of Eden' as it offers excellent solo's from both Jim and Robert.

My only tinny-little wish is that in place of the 3 covers we had three more originals. While they provide some excellent blues for all us fanatics - I'm just greedy and would have liked more RCB. Also for those huge fans of the Memphis Horns like myself, we don't get them here - maybe next time.

My recommendation...add this disk and every other RCB disk you do not own to your shopping cart...and do it now!

Being a working professional musician I am always looking for music that is true and inspiring. Regardless of if you are a blues fan or not, Robert Cray is one of the best performers out there in any genre. His recent work (Midnight Stroll and newer) leans more towards soul than traditional blues. The subject matter is your typical "she done me wrong" blues cannon but he sells it like it should be sold. It's completely genuine. He's an incomparable vocalist who sings like a bird. His guitar playing, while on the surface seeming simple, portrays exactly the proper "feeling" for the arrangement and song. His playing is a statement; emotionally mature and marked by brevity. It does what music is supposed to do, express feelings that words cannot. It doesn't suffer from the continuous, spaceless, blues-chops-heavy solos that most post-SRV blues players suffer from. This isn't music for chops-meisters. I've seen his live show and it's better live. Great guitar tone, super solid band, it's one of the best shows you'll see. If you're a fan of the groove and soul music check it out.

I have been a Robert Cray fan since I first heard SMOKING GUN when I was 16 years old. Now some 16 years later, I am still a fan and can say that he keeps bringing us great music album after album. SHOULDA BEEN HOME is without a doubt continuing this feat and I can say that I think every song on this album is a great one, thats something you dont find much of these days with what is out there. In my opinion, I think that the songs that standout on this album are the slower tempo ones such as ALREADY GONE, FAR AWAY, ANYTIME. Mister Cray brings us a sound on this album that is Memphis soul meeting traditional blues with R&B also thrown into the mix. I have been fortunate enough to have seen him live and am looking forward to seeing him once again. In closing I will say that you the listener should also give BABY'S ARMS, LOVE SICKNESS, NO ONE SPECIAL a good listen to. I highly recommend this album for all of his fans.

Robert Cray struts his R&B stuff on his newest Shoulda Been Home. The songs and the production have more of an R&B feel than Cray's usual style of blues. You will know it is Robert by the signature sound of his electric guitar and his voice. However, the CD uses horns and a rhythm section that sounds like Muscle Shoals. This is one of my favorite Robert Cray CD's. The song writing is very good and after a couple of listens, you will find yourself singing along. Cray also displays some guitar playing that is just sensational. You will find yourself just enraptured with a song when out of nowhere, Robert lays into some great guitar riff that just blows you away. I like Robert Cray in an R&B bag; I just hope he keeps it up.

Anytime you get the opportunity to treat yourself to the rich vocals and masterful guitar work of Robert Cray, don't pass it up! Robert and the band make versatility look easy on Shoulda Been Home, from the heartfelt and heartbreaking 'Already Gone' to their uptempo cover of Mack Rice's 'Love Sickness'. 'No One Special' is a joy from the very first note - a gorgeous song that showcases the emotion that Robert pours into writing and performing a song. 'Baby's Arms' is done with such an air of eager anticipation that you find yourself wanting to pack a suitcase yourself! The band members compliment each other perfectly, and you can hear that in every track. This CD is a wonderful example of the soulful side of the Robert Cray Band, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Those familiar with the Robert Cray Band need no encouragement from my review - just click the order button and once again you will be treated with the best blend of passionate soul, blues, and r-n-b ever to grace our unworthy disk drives. Those of you less familiar with the work of these amazing talents, I envy you as you are in for a treat!

There is an evolution on SBH, (perhaps even more so than on the outstanding Grammy Winning release 'Take Your Shoes Off'), and it is something to behold. Yes, the 'tightest band' around still displays the genius. Jim Pugh continues to show he deserves the Handy for his keyboard and organ work every year. Kevin Hayes' work is impeccable as always, particularly shinning on the cover tunes. Karl Sevaried driving rhythm is flawless and on. The main evolution here comes from Mr. Cray himself. Gone is the guitar slinging 'Young Bob', self-professed road man of yesteryear. In his place the always confident, always humble, ever growing and creating 'not as young Bob' has obviously grown older and happier. It suits him well. There is a maturity here even beyond what we always expect. The subtleness and soft-spoken guitar work seems to fit perfect with his deeper, and closer to the mike vocals. While long ago Robert and his strat have been respected in the same class as his guitar hero's Collins and Copeland, with SBH perhaps he will finally truly be appreciated for his incomparable vocal talents with his Vocalist hero's Otis and OV.

The music seems to say: yah, we get the blues sometimes - relationships are tough - but I'm happy and life IS good, can I share it with you. The first track 'Baby's Arm's' highlights this fact. The ... review says this song "sacrifices tension for sentimentality" - I guess he's not an old married man like myself, because there is no sacrifice here. I popped this in my car stereo when I got back from a 7 day trip and it had smiling from ear-to-ear thinkin' about my baby.

The slow-burning bluesy-soul RCB is here with 'Already Gone' and 'Help Me Forget' recalling classic Cray love and relationship pain. One of the disks highlights 'Far Away' co-written with Mr. Cray's wife (the second such effort) shares a whole story in just a few versus. It seems to tell the painful too often occurrence of a man who still loves his family, but is having trouble loving himself, it makes you want to know the rest of the story and hope that it has a good ending. Another highlight, and one of the two tracks contributed by Mr. Pugh 'Anytime' is a perfect track for those that like their blues funky. While a retro feel, the groove is pure infectious and the albums best showcase of a band that seems to come together as one so effortlessly. The soft-spoken, mature 'No One Special could prove to be most listeners favorite as it drips sweet soul music. We can assume that the upcoming tour will feature the 10 minute plus blues jam 'Out Of Eden' as it offers excellent solo's from both Jim and Robert.

My only tinny-little wish is that in place of the 3 covers we had three more originals. While they provide some excellent blues for all us fanatics - I'm just greedy and would have liked more RCB. Also for those huge fans of the Memphis Horns like myself, we don't get them here - maybe next time.

My recommendation...add this disk and every other RCB disk you do not own to your shopping cart,... and do it now!

Blues purists have never been too keen on Robert Cray with his leanings to jazz and soul. Well he has leaned even further towards soul on this recording. If like me, you prefer his love cheat numbers, complete with crisp almost clinical guitar licks, then you may be slightly disappointed with this more soulful offering. I say slightly, because this is still an excellent album.

It's no "Strong Persuader" but, "Shoulda Been Home" is definitely worth adding to your Robert Cray Band collection. No doubt about one thing though, Robert Cray is brilliant plunking away on guitar! The two most fun songs on the disc, "Love Sickness" and "Cry for Me Baby", were not written by Cray or the band but, they will have your toes tapping and a smile on your face in short order! "Renew Blues" in a one minute puzzler that almost seems like someone turned down the record volume by mistake just as the vocals started. "Baby's Arms" is the lead-off cut and the most enjoyable of the Cray penned songs running a radio-friendly perfect three minutes. The remainder of this 52 minute album is mostly written by Cray and the Band focused on classic Cray slow vocal blues ballads. Keyboardist Jim Pugh wrote the longest at nine minutes plus called "Out of Eden". Give it a shot if you like Robert Cray and the price is right.

Robert Cray continues to produce the most soulful and articulate blues albums today. 'Shoulda Been Home' displays the sheer brilliance of Cray's singing and guitar skills. The music on this album is blues with an uplifting and joyful approach. The themes are characteristic blues - like 'already gone', 'cry for me baby'. However, the feel of the CD takes blues on a different trip - displaying a flow and groove that is truly intoxicating.

A MUST BUY.

I love Robert Cray - but this album is something new. He has an energy and sound that really moves, and I like the changes. Old Cray fans may not agree, but we love it. If you like Keb Mo and some of the newer blues, you will love this album!