Customer Reviews

Twenty

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Robert Cray hails from the BB King school of guitar playing.. and I have every single release from RC .. and they are restrained glory in every sense of the word. Then, suddenly in a song, he busts out with some very good guitar playing that catches you off guard.

This particular recording is very complete, and very gospel sounding, in a lot of places.. but yet RC's voice is very gospel sounding in itself.. so I really think that is where a lot of the gospel comparisons come into the mix... and lets face it... a lot of guitar players play guitar and will sing as well.. but in RC's case.. his singing is as every bit of (dare I say even better) than his fantastic guitar ability. This can make for a very pleasureable experience.

This cd does cut fray into the political arena, but robert sings like someone who means what he has to say and is not really trying to paint an overtly political statements... very heartfelt song.

The guitar playing on this CD... there is as much guitar playing on this CD as one would like to hear. RC uses the guitar so much in phrases, and catches so much melody.. and when he does break out in solos, they mean something.

I must admit, this RC cd is a lot better than his past couple... and they were good too, but this one is better.

Enjoy, Have fun.

Like Van, or the Stones, Robert Cray has a formula that works for him. I am a huge fan and have been since day 1. I like the silky, smooth vocals and Stax/soul feel to his brand of blues. He does however need to branch out a little. Maybe back to some Chicago blues or swing a little but he has sounded a tad 'repeated' on the last few discs. I'd like to see his voice highlighted more (EX. "Don't Break This Ring"...from 'A Shame and a Sin', incredible) and his guitar work put to the forefront. Yes, a little repepitive but 'already done' Cray is better than most stuff out there. Love to hear a live album from him!! Check yourself back into the 'Done We Wrong' motel lyrically, leave the political musings to others. Don't get me wrong, a great disc, but no new charted waters musically.

I have every RC album and after just going out today and buying it and then playing it while I was cleaning my room this new album is one of my favorites.

Cray and his crack band give this album an almost 'after hours' feel on several cuts (My Last Regret, Two Steps From The End). I also loved 'Poor Johnny' and 'Does It Really Matter'...both songs have a wonderful supple groove.

Many tin eared critics knock Robert Cray for not 'sticking to the blues.' For this I scoff and ask you to take a closer listen. What Robert Cray proves with this record is that the blues can be shaped, bent, or turned inside out, and the feeling still remains.

Robert Cray gets better with each new CD.His writing is top notch, check out Poor Johnny, Fading Away and That Ain't Love. His guitar work is unbelievable, I'm Walking, Two Songs from the End, I Know you Will. Check out the tastiest guitar playing on the cover song I Forgot to be Your Lover. All in all not a bad song on the CD. Blues, Rock, Jazz, Soul it's all here. Great listening, especially thru headphones.If you love good, well played music pick up Twenty. Make sure you see this band live, when they come to your town. As good as their albums are, the band is even better live. Don't miss them.

Each new release from Robert Cray seems to be subject to the same criticism: namely, that his blues-inflected R&B doesn't live up to the promise of his roots. But who's to say what he should be playing? A more important question is how well he plays his chosen music, and how interesting the results are to his fans. On those latter questions, his latest release is an affirmation: Cray employs his smooth-and-soulful voice to create Memphis-styled sides ala 1960s Stax, with tasteful guitar riffs adding a bluesy side.

This album continues in the same direction as his previous Sanctuary release, "Time Will Tell," with a title track that stretches out lyrically to survey current events, and an original ballad, "Fadin' Away," that nails the blue-soul vibe. The latter's balance of Cray's voice and guitar against Jim Pugh's piano expands upon the chemistry they displayed on 2003's "Spare Some Love?" It's true that Cray's albums have become somewhat indistinct from one another, but that's a matter of his finding a definitive musical groove, rather than simply blending into the R&B flavor-of-the-day. 3-3/4 stars, if allowed fractional ratings. [©2005 hyperbolium dot com]

Having heard Robert Cray's work from the very beginning with both the "Who's Been Talking" and "Strong Persuader" albums, I rediscovered the guy after a long break when I picked up the "Time Will Tell" album and I was struck by the change in musical direction from what I had remembered was on the first two albums that I'd heard before but I wasn't disappointed as I thought Cray still sounded very good and his trademark vocals and competent blues guitar playing was still pretty much in evidence. I also like the way Sanctuary packaged the cds in cardboard design as I don't like jewel sleeves and there is no faulting the sound quality as the mastering is very good too. "Twenty" continues upon the themes introduced by "Time Will Tell" but it's very obvious that the latter is still the superior album. Although this is not a bad album by any stretch of the imagination, I was left feeling that Robert was coasting on this one and that there was nothing really new to go "wow" about here. Content quality-wise, this is nowhere near "Strong Persuader" and is certainly not better than "Time Will Tell". Still, an average Cray album is still better than much of what's out there at the moment.

More of the same from Mr. Cray & Company. Noteworthy that the album is strong all the way through; not the usual front-load & then drop-off you get from most artists. Twenty, his "protest song" is effective because it's not pedantic, but in Robert's usual "slice of life" style. They even throw in a waltz time. Read some of the other reviews here as well. We're pretty much all saying the same thing.

The stylings of Robert Cray are amazing as always and even more sweet on the title track that is a bittersweet tribute to our proud, brave American soldiers.
I first saw this on YouTube and was awestruck. I work with veterans and am proud to call them heroes and friends.
If you love smooth guitar blues, you will love this entire CD. But its the title track that will clutch your heart.
Even if you don't agree with the principals of war and what it means, please thank an American soldier, active or inactive, this Veteran's Day. Our support and prayers let's them know they are appreciated and loved.

I am one of many Robert Cray fans who have followed his (and The Band's) career almost from the beginning. Each new release has it's own distinct sound and, for me, storyline. "Twenty" continues that tradition and takes it up a notch with an award-winning video of the title song. For those critics who complain that this musical genius varies from his Blues roots, my reply is to take the "tin" out of
those ears and listen to an artist who grows with the times.

I first heard him this summer at Clapton's Crossroads Festival and I was drawn in by "Poor Johnny." Immediately when he started singing, I found myself closing my eyes and listening. His voice is light, but smooth and he shows a definite talent in his vocal range.

One knock on Cray is that his approach to the Memphis blues is linear and one-dimensional. And to a certain extent, I agree. But on the other side, his laid-back, down tempo angle is deep. His skills on guitar are automatic. He's a friend of Clapton's! This record more than holds its own in my blues collection that includes Clapton and SRV.