| | Robert Cray Twenty CD Robert Cray Discography of CDs
 (6 Customer Reviews)
A new album from Robert Cray is unlikely to contain any radical departures from his laid-back, blues-influenced R&B, sweetly stinging leads, and mellow, soulful singing. Yet Cray's records are almost always superbly executed and eminently listenable. Such is the case with 2005's TWENTY. The artist's second release for indie label Sanctuary features Cray doing what he does best with the help of a crack backing band. Rolling, punchy jams like "Does It Really Matter" and the loping, lock-step vibe of "I'm Walkin'" prove this unit's easy, appealing chemistry.
Cray's blues is often criticized for being commercially oriented. The truth is that Cray's music is much closer to '60s-era soul and R&B than it is to traditional blues. Rather than restricting himself to a 1-4-5 blues formula, he crafts memorable pop tunes that sound like they might have come from the Stax/Volt offices circa 1968. The anti-war song "Poor Johnny" is a case in point, as is the driving "That Ain't Love" and the smoothly swinging "My Last Regret." In addition to his sterling talents as a guitarist and singer, then, and the sharp work of his band, it is Cray's tunesmithery that impresses on TWENTY. This album comes highly recommended to Cray enthusiasts, and to lovers of cool, '60s-flavored R&B.
Personnel: Robert Cray (vocals, guitars); Jim Pugh (keyboards); Karl Sevareid (acoustic bass guitar, bass guitar); Kevin Hayes (drums); Don Smith (tambourine).
Recording information: Sound City, Van Nuys, California.
Rolling Stone (No. 975, p.76) - 3 stars out of 5 - "[C]ray's strongest album since [1986's] STRONG PERSUADER... "
Living Blues (pp.50-51) - "The four musicians achieve a rare balance between tightness and relaxation that is the result of many years together as a working band."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.114) - 3 stars out of 5 - "[T]he record's ultimate success hinges on the truly effective title track..." Twenty Music Review Average Rating: (3.8 out of 5 stars)   List All Reviews Best of Robert
Poor Johnny , what amazing song, great
lyrics, beautiful guitar sound..and
guitar solo...so less notes, much more
feelings.
Welcome to Finland Robert...
Submitted by heino.sihvonen (Finland) 
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No
 Yeah, It's Pretty Blue
Robert Cray is, affectionately, known as the 'triple threat of the blues', as he seems equally as talented as a writer, singer and guitarist, but after over 20 years of work, the blues is starting to wear on him. These songs are just plain sad and angry downers. The best of the blues tradition shows us how we can have fun and high art while wallowing is some of life's tougher situations. These songs are serious and very blue. Cray's singing may have actually improved over the years, but he doesn't give us any dazzling guitar anymore. Robert Cray now gives us his formula, and it's nice, but the 'triple threat' is just plain tired and blue. For the best Cray, go back to the 80's.
Submitted by St. Davey (Windham, Me.)
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The Robert Cray Band delivers excellent work
This release is innovative, diverse, heart-felt, creative, and masterfully delivered. Robert Cray has certainly matured as a vocalist and displays some serious talent in that arena. The sound of his guitar varies somewhere between rock and blues, but it sounds fresh, alive, and authoritative. Poor Johnny is an excellent song! So is Twenty, in which Cray takes on a story of an American soldier who did not come back from Iraq. Whatever political side you are on, it is hard not to ackowledge the musical beauty of that song, as well as its emotional power. With only about 3 songs that can be clearly labeled as modern blues, the rest manifest Cray's successful excurcion into new styles and new sounds. He applies his blues background to construct a record that really showcases the high quality of music that this band can deliver. I highly recommend seeing The Robert Cray Band live also - they put on a tremendous show!
Submitted by D.S. (NJ, USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Wow, Cray does it again!
This new album has a perfect blend of soul and blues. Robert Cray & bandmate Jim Pugh write most of the songs this time out. This is his best album in years. Must have!
Submitted by Mark (Boston)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No  good, but not a home run
As always, Robert Cray produces music that you just cant go wrong with. I have listened to the CD 3 or 4 times now and some songs are starting to grab me. However, not one of his best efforts.
Submitted by mdunn (riverside, ca)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 0 of 1 found this helpful.
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