Robert Cray - Nothin But Love

I remember playing "Strong Persuader" over and over again when it came out.. and the magnificent "Showdown" album with Johnny Copeland and Albert Collins, but there have been times in Cray's three decade, 15 album career that (and I'm sure he would admit it too) he was on auto-pilot, cruising through the sort of blues that get's played in the background in coffee shops and trendy wine bars.

But.. (and you knew that was coming..) with his 16th album he's found his mojo again!  Recorded in just two weeks with Kevin Shirley (who is rapidly becoming the go-to man it seems) Cray's smooth vocals are as good as ever and the Strat is singing beautifully too.

Whether it was the speed of the recording process or just because Cray was reinvigorated working with Shirley or some other reason, the album is one of the strongest he's ever done..(and lets not forget he's had 15 Grammy nominations, winning 5 times!) ... you really hope these songs are not autobiographical otherwise you do wonder what kind of guy he is at home as his woman has left him whilst he watched her tail-lights disappear over the horizon many, many times now.. but it's really glorious stuff.  I tried to pick out my favourite, but as I scanned down the album I realised that it's not an easy decision.. the opening track "(won't be) Coming Home" set's the scene,  "Side Dish" has a wonderful 50's groove, in the middle of the album, "Blues Get off of my Shoulder" just makes you want to reach over for your guitar and join in and the closer "Sadder Days" is a beautiful, subtle track that may just be the highlight of the album.

It's fair to say that Kevin Shirley is likely to have a hand in the Blues Album of the Year, but whether it will be that young upstart Bonamassa's "Driving Towards the Daylight" or whether Cray will beat him to the line is anyone's guess.  It's going to be a close run thing no matter what.


NR

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