I had Strong Persuader when I was like 13 or 14 and played it quite a bit. I hadn't thought about Cray in years.... until today, when one of those twisted, long-winding, connection-to-connection internet searches wound up with me on on Amazon.com, checking out clips from his new album.

here's roughly how the chain of events went to get me there:

Martha Wainwright Review on Pitchfork -> Amazon.com to check out Loudon Wainwright's stuff -> IMDB to see if it was, in fact, the same Loudon Wainwright that was on that show Undeclared -> Google to LWIII's official site -> Rosebud Agency site for tour itinerary -> realizing I was now on an agency site, I was curious to see what the rest of their roster was like, so I checked out their artist list. Robert Cray was one of them, and lo and behold, not only is he still kickin' it, but he's got a new album -> Amazon.com, listening to clips.

Still the same Cray. A little raspier in the voice, but still smooth as fuck. I was instantly reminded of how sometimes the slick production takes away from the experience for me with his stuff. I think the thing I like about Cray, though, is that he is combining the bluesy soul in his voice with accessible pop, and doing it well, and with class.

Anyone else dig any Robert Cray?

not a big fan, but he is a legend around these parts

He never really did it for me, but I do respect the hell out of him. Great player and I appreciate what he's doing, moreso than I actually enjoy it.

Live he was kinda okay. But it was a large, outdoor venue and I'm sure that it lost something in that atmosphere.

Interesting trivia bit about Robert Cray: Name the late 70's classic comedy in which he appeared as a band member?
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Animal House

Very smooth...often too smooth. At one point I owned 10+ cds from the man so I guess I have to cop to being a fan. Most were Columbia House/BMG purchases rounding out an order though. And when I did some collection thinning most of them were sold off. He had a lot of duds in his collection.

I kept Midnight Stroll, Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, Strong Persuader, and I was Warned. I don't know the last time I've listened to any of them ...its probably been at least 8 years. He's got some catchy material though.

np: The Sound "From the Lion's Mouth"

Not on the main topic, but Loudon's latest album, Here Come the Choppers! is really good. I just picked it up (this weekend, in fact) not out of familiarity with his music (I am, however, a fan of Rufus and Martha) but because his backing band is Bill Frisell on guitar, Greg Leisz on lap steel, David Pilch on bass, and Jim Keltner on drums - basically the same core group of musicians Frisell's been working with the past few years, and they pretty much guarantee some great playing. Good stuff - great music with a tinge of country here and there and great lyrics.

for me, a classic example of "his early stuff was better"- each release I liked less and less, then I stopped... check out Bad Influence

This is what I have:
Cray, Robert *** I Was Warned
Cray, Robert *** Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark
Cray, Robert *** Midnight Stroll
Cray, Robert *** Some Rainy Morning
Cray, Robert *** False Accusations
Cray, Robert *** Strong Persuader
Cray, Robert *** Shame and a Sin
Cray, Robert *** Take Your Shoes Off
Cray, Robert *** Bad Influence

also, I have him performing alongside Albert Collins and Johnny Copeland on ' Showdown!'

But he wasn't the guitarist in Otis Day and the Nights. Name the instrument he played in the band...

A little too smooth for the kind of blues I usually listen to but I like how he speaks his mind about politics, racial issues and philosophy. The few times I've seen him speak on shows or read interviews with him he's a pretty astute sumbitch. And ornery. Like half Harry Belafonte and half Kris Kristofferson.

ME!