Third Time Lucky I Guess…

I went to see Robert Cray 20 years ago at the UEA in Norwich and apparently I was there, but cannot remember any of the gig!

Had tickets at Hammersmith ten years later and never saw the legend. So this time I finally made it – and it was well worth the wait!

Voted best living blues guitarist, he looks fantastically slick for a 60 year old his vocals are polished and smooth and of course the guitar playing is simply stunning. RC sped through the set playing many a Stratocaster and like a rifle once loaded there’s no stopping him!

He opened with a new number Won’t be Coming Home followed by an old favourite Right Next Door (Because of me) from the classic Strong Persuader album (1986) – nearly all of his songs carry the Deep South, New Orleans blues, a bouquet of burnt and smouldering relationships delivered with exquisite timing. The Right Next Door number has a growling guitar that gradual fades out and all you can hear is the audible hiss from the PA with finality finally signified by RC making an unexpected clap on the mic that brings you to your senses. I rather liked the funky, Chicken in the Kitchen where tongue in cheek he sings about doing all the cooking! and the fulsome, The Forecast is for Pain.

His band consists of Richard Cousins on bass, (lifelong friend) Dover Weinberg on the ‘hammond’ and Les Falconer on drums all dovetailed in nicely, like a set of comfy chairs.  Unusual and great to hear was the organ given such prominence in the set. Now on tour in the UK. If you get a chance go and see this former Grammy winner.

Robert Cray – Norwich Theatre Royal 11th May

Set List
Wont be Coming Home
Right Next Door (Because of me)
Poor Johnny
Hold on
Sitting on top of the World
Move a Mountain
Fine Yesterday
I Guess I’ll never know
Chicken in the Kitchen
What would you say
The Forecast calls for Pain
Hip Tight Onions

Support Act
Azadeh is based in LA. This female singer songwriter really looked the part, played acoustic and sung impeccably although Butterflies is her new release I preferred Automatic – Talented like many wanna be artists she needs a break to make the ‘bigger time.’

Posted by: Fawkes