photo: Martine Ehrenclou

photo: Martine Ehrenclou

By Martine Ehrenclou

Robert Cray wasn’t anything like I’d expected. Prior to his concert on March 11, 2017 at the Downey Civic Theater, I’d listened to a number of his hits to familiarize myself with this celebrated singer/guitarist/songwriter. His music has been described as a combination of contemporary blues, soul and R&B. I’ll confess, I didn’t know much when I stepped into the packed theater.

Watching him live was a completely different experience than watching his videos and listening to select songs from his albums, more so than many other artists I’d seen in concert. Robert Cray came alive on the stage with his four-piece band, interacting with the audience, sharing bits of backstory about the songs he performed. But more than that, Cray gave one of the better and more enjoyable concerts I’d seen in a while. He completely delivered as an artist that night, throwing himself into the performance in a way I haven’t seen that often.

Robert Cray and his band, drummer Terrence F. Clark, bassist Richard Cousins, and Dover Weinberg on keys and organ, opened with the song, “Anytime.” An R&B, contemporary blues number, Cray showcased his signature bright and dynamic guitar sound on licks and solos. He sang with such soulfulness and sincerity that it made me wonder if he’d completely overcome the stage fright I’d read about.

After the first song, which garnered thunderous applause from the crowd, Cray stepped to the edge of the stage and leaned into the audience, squinting in the spotlight to see faces in the first couple of rows. He said, “You’re so far away.” Indeed, the band was set up 15 or more feet from the edge of the stage, creating a bit of a barrier between him and the people who’d come to see him perform. Cray overcame that distance with a sense of humor and a sincere desire to connect.

It was a true delight watching Robert Cray play and sing that night, as he appeared to be having the time of his life. That kind of fun is infectious and the crowd matched his enthusiasm with standing ovations and shouting out names of songs they wanted him to play.

Robert Cray is one of the great guitar players and singers who has won five Grammy Awards, multiple W.C. Handy Awards from the Blues Foundation, and who has released 20 albums. He’s toured and collaborated with many other music greats such as Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Tina Turner, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Keith Richards and more.

Cray’s fourth song, “Phone Booth,” was a standout tune of the night. His vocals were crisp, clear and soulful, and he played compelling riffs and solos with his trademark guitar sound. I can’t think of anyone who has the same guitar tone. To my ears it’s more Telecaster than Strat, even though that night he played two Strats. With his signature guitar twang, some call his music contemporary blues, and it just might be, but I heard old school soul and R&B mixed with both traditional and contemporary blues. He and the band were tight.

Joking with the audience throughout the set, Cray seemed to be completely at ease performing 14 songs with two encores. This was a stripped down band with no horn section or embellishments, certainly no auto tune mic. Cray’s voice pierced my expectations that night. I didn’t catch one off-key note and with his range, it might have been easy to slip off key. Not with Cray. Even when he sang in his upper register in a James Brown fashion, there was not one bum note. What a voice.

Seated deep in the groove, Cray and his band performed, “Sitting on Top of the World.” This song included a knockout performance from the keyboard/organ player and from Cray himself on guitar. It gave me the chills and I don’t say that easily. They were just that good. Cray played and sang like he meant it. Nothing was phoned in.

A few of the tunes such as “Bouncin’ Back” had a 50’s soul flavor and Motown sound. The people around me, the mostly over 50 set, knew the hits and some sang along.

One of my favorites of the evening was, “Chicken in the Kitchen,” which Cray announced to the audience as, “For the women.” With wonderful humor, Cray performed this song and had the audience laughing mid tune. Cray’s voice shined on this twelve bar blues, upbeat number. His guitar solo grabbed everyone’s attention.

Cray’s first encore, “Move Me,” was a danceable R&B song with great groove. Once again his vocals were salted with a James Brown influence that incited a roar from the crowd.

The final encore, “Time Makes Two,” had the entire audience on their feet, whooping and hollering for Robert Cray. I was one of them, completely impressed by his performance. Not just by the tight and talented band or Cray’s obvious honed vocal and gritty guitar skills, but with the show Cray threw himself into. With nothing but a stripped down band and stage, he brought it home with this show and made it entertaining and fun.

Robert Cray’s new album, Robert Cray & Hi Rhythm, will be released on April 28th. You can find it on:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2n3iByj

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5mzISncIFi9dFq3rhJoAU4

iTunes: http://apple.co/2nwcRei

Robert Cray’s Website: http://www.robertcray.com