Cray's second effort hews to the same musical template as TOO MANY COOKS, his under-appreciated debut. That is to say that BAD INFLUENCE is hardly the work of a blues puritan. There's just as much Memphis-style R&B and soul as blues in the mix, making for a potent fusion.
Cray's guitar work is more impressive than ever, particularly on "No Big Deal," where he rips jagged metallic lines out of his Stratocaster as if he were channeling Otis Rush. The two bonus tracks are particularly entertaining, as Cray offers a suitably rowdy version of Texas bluesman Peppermint Harris' often covered "I Got Loaded" and an intense, almost gospel-style reading of Booker T.'s "Share What You've Got, Keep What You Need."
Recorded at Music Lab, Los Angeles, California. Includes liner notes by Lee Hildebrand.
Robert Cray Band: Robert Cray (vocals, guitar); Walter Rand (alto saxophone); Mike Vannice (tenor saxophone, keyboards); Richard Cousins (bass); David Olson (drums).
Personnel: Robert Cray (vocals, guitar); Albert Clemens (vocals); Warren Rand (saxophone, alto saxophone); Mike Vannice (saxophone, tenor saxophone, keyboards); Dave Olson (drums); David Li (percussion); Night Train Clemons, Tony Matthews, Phillip Walker, Tony Mathews (background vocals).
Photographers: Lynne R. Henderson; Donna Cline.
Additional personnel: David Ii (percussion); Philip Walker, Tony Matthews, Night Train Clemens (background vocals).
Great disc The cd was promptly delivered and sounds great. Submitted by shamu1079 (Round Rock, Tx) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Smooth & Blue This is an earlier cd by Robert Cray but it packs a punch. People that consider themselves "blues enthusiast" don't reconize Robert Cray as a true bluesman. I won't agree with their decree. Robert was recently in ST. Louis for a concert and signing on his latest cd. My sister and I (Marnice)spent just a little time with him and his band and I must say they "reeked" of blues and funk. Play on Robert, Play on.... Submitted by mfoster (Saint Louis, MO) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
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Great disc
Smooth & Blue
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