Too Many Cooks [Original recording reissued]

Robert Cray | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 22, 1991)
• Original Release Date: 1989
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: Rhino / Wea
• ASIN: B0000032F1
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #348,342 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Too Many Cooks

2. The Score

3. When The Welfare Turns Its Back On You

4. That's What I'll Do

5. I'd Rather Be A Wino

6. Who's Been Talkin'

7. Sleeping In The Ground

8. I'm Gonna Forget About You

9. Nice As A Fool Can Be

10. If You're Thinkin' What I'm Thinkin'

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The contemporary blues bannerman's recording debut (originally released as Who's Been Talkin' in 1980), while naturally not as strong as his later work (especially Bad Influence, released five years later), is the work of an extremely promising artist. The album is an appealing mix of standards (Willie Dixon's "Too Many Cooks," Howlin' Wolf's "Who's Been Talkin'," O.V. Wright's "I'm Gonna Forget About You," among others) and originals. Among the strongest of the latter are the slow blues "I'd Rather Be a Wino" and the closing number, "If You're Thinkin' What I'm Thinkin'," which contains the flavorful mix of tight rhythms, excellent guitar work, strong vocals, and bittersweet mood that would become Cray's hallmark. --Genevieve Williams

Product Description

a wonderful recording!

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a stellar first effort, May 22, 2007

By 

r.j. zurek (Cape Coral, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Too Many Cooks (Audio CD)

This reissue of "Who's Been Talkin'", Robert Cray's first recording, is of obvious archival interest, but it also introduces us to the winning instrumental format Cray would use throughout his career.

As comfortable with Memphis style soul as he is with blues, Cray enlisted the help of saxophonist David Li for all the horn arrangements on this project. Joining Li is trumpeter Nolan Smith, a veteran of the Gap Band, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. This horn section would set the standard for Cray's later recordings featuring the Memphis Horns (saxophonist Andrew Love and trumpeter Wayne Jackson).

Soul singer and harmonicist Curtis Salgado started his career with Cray, and he shares lead vocal duties on O.V. Wright's "I'm Gonna Forget About You". This number and Howlin' Wolf's "Who's Been Talkin'" are two highlights of the disc showcasing Salgado's talent. A Cray original, "Nice as a Fool Can Be" is a catchy blues waltz (think Buddy Guy's "No Lie") that features Cray's clean, bright Stratocaster.

Any fan of Robert Cray's who is familiar with the hits like "Strong Persuader" and "Midnight Stroll" will be pleased with this stellar first effort.

5.0 out of 5 stars Cray's First Recording Deserves More Attention, April 10, 2007

By 

Terence Allen (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Too Many Cooks (Audio CD)

Robert Cray's first record, originally entitled "Who's Been Talking," is a classic blues recording. From "Who's Been Talking," "Too Many Cooks, "The Score," and "When The Welfare Turns Its Back On You," this record has great guitar playing, great vocals, and great backup music and arrangement.

This was a sign of great things to come, and this record definitely deserves more attention and recognition.

5.0 out of 5 stars Cray is Cookin' on High!, April 7, 2007

By 

A Minstrel in the Gallery "Chris" (Portsmouth, New Hampshire USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Too Many Cooks (Audio CD)

This was my first Cray cd, and I have to say after to listening to only the classic first track, I was hooked. This album, although it is now over 25 years old, is startingly fresh and contemporary, in a word, timeless. His signature sounds are all here-the searing guitar, witty lyrics, and the soulful vocals. This early record, often overshadowed by Cray's more commercially successful releases, is a must-hear for any Robert Cray fan. He is surely a master chef of the blues and Cray serves a delectable dish of tunes on this one.