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Robert Cray played his classics and songs from his new album last Monday at the Birchmere. |
BY "DOC" HENLEY SMYTHE
FOR THE FREE LANCE-STAR
In the last 25 years, there probably hasn't been a more influential blues artist than Robert Cray.
Eric Clapton--a close friend and admirer of Cray's--has made The Robert Cray Band one of his regular touring partners and a fixture at his "Crossroads" guitar festivals. In fact, the band's latest album, "Across the Pond," was recorded live at London's Royal Albert Hall while Cray was supporting Clapton.
Cray also was featured recently in the 2007 documentary "Strat Masters." The film tells the story of the iconic Fender Stratocaster guitar, and includes interviews with several other great Stratocaster players. It's no coincidence that the folks at Fender have a number of signature Robert Cray Strats available for those of us who wish we could play like him.
Monday evening, Cray and his band played for close to two hours to a sold-out audience at The Birchmere and proved why they are the best blues band in the nation.
What makes The Robert Cray Band different from contemporaries is their element of soul that just takes the blues feel and the emotion up a notch. This is due in no small part to Cray's silky smooth but versatile vocals, and his distinctive guitar style. (I always tell friends he sings like Marvin Gaye and plays like Albert Collins.)
But don't sell Cray's fellow musicians short. Jim Pugh's keyboards brought goose bumps to the skin with every swirl.
Karl Sevareid's bass playing was anything but orthodox. Bent over in ecstasy, his fingers climbing up and down the fret board, Sevareid did much more than just fill the bottom end--he even treated the audience to some outstanding upright bass.
On drums, Kevin Hayes perfectly matched the mood of every song, from brushes and light touches on the cymbals to a tight snare and booming kick drum on the "funky" tunes, as Cray likes to call some of the more up-tempo numbers.
From the haunting "Time Makes Two," the rocking '80s classic "Smokin' Gun" and the artful use of the delay effect on "Poor Johnny" to the all-out raunchiness of "Phone Booth," everything was perfect.
Hats off here, too, to the folks at The Birchmere who, once again, had the sound just right--and who always provide a fun and intimate atmosphere at shows.
At 54, Cray is sounding better than ever. He truly is a master of his instrument, and fronts one of those few acts that sounds better live than on record.
"Doc" Henley Smythe is a local
