Robert Cray

I have always really enjoyed Robert Cray's music. Cray is one of the few blues artists who has managed to achieve a mainstream following. In a career that began in the 1970's, he has successfully blended elements of traditional blues, pop, and rhythm & blues. While achieving critical acclaim, Cray has made no apologies for his more popular music style, and he's been rewarded with four Grammy Awards for his innovative musical works.

Creative Commons photo courtesy Wikipedia/SteveHopson

Robert Cray in a 1998 concert in Philadelphia.

Creative Commons Photo

Robert Cray started playing guitar in his early teens. At Denbigh High School in Newport News, Virginia, his love of blues and soul music flourished as he started collecting records. Originally, Robert Cray wanted to become an architect, but at about the same time he was going to study design in architecture he formed a local band "Steakface", described as "the best band from Lakewood you never heard of". Cray on guitar and vocals contributed greatly to Steakface's set list of songs by Jimi Hendrix, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Fleetwood Mac, The Grease Band, Blodwyn Pig, Jethro Tull, Spirit and The Faces.

By the time he was twenty, Cray had seen his heroes Albert Collins, Freddie King and Muddy Waters in....(read more)

I can hear the couple fighting right next door

Their angry words sound clear through these thin walls....

In the movie National Lampoon's Animal House (1978), the bass player in the band "Otis Day and the Knights" is a young bluesman named Robert Cray. Cray was 'instrumental' in getting the musicians together that appeared as the band.

Who's Been Talkin' - 1980

Bad Influence - 1983

False Accusations - 1985

Showdown! - 1985 (recorded with Albert Collins and Johnny Copeland)

Strong Persuader - 1986

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark - 1988

Midnight Stroll - 1990

I Was Warned - 1992

Shame + A SIN - 1993

Some Rainy Morning - 1995

Sweet Potato Pie - 1997

Take Your Shoes Off - 1999

Shoulda Been Home - 2001

Time Will Tell - 2003

Twenty - 2005

Live From Across The Pond - 2006

Live At The BBC - 2008