No more results on this page
The Robert Cray Band in Concert
When it comes to live performance, The Robert Cray Band like to get right down to business. Though they're led by one of the most distinctive blues guitar stylists of his generation, and the rest of the band bears a similar amount of instrumental authority, they don't like to showboat. Flashy licks are simply not what Cray and company are all about.
Instead, they cut right through to the emotional core of every tune — whether they're playing the classics that put Cray on the map, like "Right Next Door" and "Smoking Gun," or killing it on covers of tunes by the likes of Bill Withers, Bobby "Blue" Bland, or The Mississippi Sheiks. Cray and his cohorts use their mighty musical prowess in the service of the song. Sure, you'll hear plenty of fluid guitar solos, but at a Robert Cray show you'll never hear a single unnecessary note — in other words, everything he and his band play on stage really matters.
The Robert Cray Band Background
Robert Cray did more for the blues in the 1980s than anybody other than Stevie Ray Vaughan. He started out small with a string of early-'80s indie albums, but by the middle of the decade the singer/guitarist's blend of blues, soul, and rock 'n' roll influences made its way to the mainstream with a major-label deal that introduced the world to the game-changing Strong Persuader LP.
Between his supple grooves, soulful vocals, storytelling songs, and stinging guitar solos, Cray emerged as the blues hero the '80s didn't even know they were waiting for until he came along. Over time, Cray's sound has become simultaneously deeper and more expansive. His reputation has grown to the point that he's an esteemed elder statesman of modern blues, a winner of multiple Grammy awards, and an artist as venerated today as any of his heroes were when he was growing up and learning his licks.
Encore
Encore
Encore
Encore
First of all, the Birchmere Music Hall in Alexandria, VA , is a wonderful place to enjoy a concert. The Robert Cray Band knows how to connect with the audience, putting on a really entertaining show, from beginning to end!
I first saw Robert Cray open for Eric Clapton in DC. I went back home to Tucson and saw him there - two more times. I'm hooked. What a great musician!
My first time seeing Robert Cray Band, it was a Great show...some how I think it would have been a better show if it were a larger venue...dont get me wrong I love the Birchmere and have seen many Great shows there...it's like someting was missing.
Mr. Cray was all that and more!! Loved the show took the wife and although the blues is not her favorite I think this won her over even if just for the night. Sound was amazing, songs were amazing I would pay again to see him play.
Very nice show. It nice to have a drink, a meal or snack good music. good mix of people. .I will return again but this time I will arrive about 1:30 minute before the show to get up close. Keep the good show coming.
Robert came out SMOKING from the very start! Old and new, it all sounded great. I first saw him 23 years ago and his voice still rings clear and his bands are always tight! My son, now 16, has been singing Smoking Gun and Right Next Door since he was 6 years old and has seen Robert several times, too (how's that for GOOD TRAINING!). There's stuff we wanted to hear, but everything he played was so great we don't think we missed a thing. KUDOS to Birchmere in Alexandria, VA,...THAT SOUND SYSTEM TOOK EVERYTHING ROBERT AND THE BAND THREW AT IT! The sound did not crack nor did it waver! This was one of the best shows I've ever attended. When Robert comes back, we will be there!
This was the worst concert I have seen in decades. I was so excited to see Robert Cray, but he was horrible. He was so slow, he did not play his hits (except smoking gun) and it was almost as if he was improvising the whole show. We (8 of us) left at the first encore, but the Venue (which BTW is a great place to see a show) was already 1/2 empty.
Here came Robert and the fella's into their only Chicagoland appearance of this tour. Preceded By the multi-award wining Blind-Boys of Alabama. Although Gospel isn't my bag, The Ol guys were plenty entertaining. So the lights came up to Robert, front and center, assuming his well known, signature stance that has him almost as one, with the lime colored (in the lights) Fender Strat. It's as if the guitar is an appedage of his body, the way he hunches over and cradle's it . Richard Cousins (Bassist) now in full dreads, looked a bit ..Side-Show-Bob 'ish (of The Simpsons) in a polk-a-dot, Buddy-Guy ish shirt (perhaps a subtle tribute to the Chicago Blues Man ) while wielding first a purple Fender Jazz Bass, then an Orange P-bass. Later a sunburst 5 or 6 string non-Fender. Maybe it just me, but seeing Robert from the center of the fifth row, in his mid-50's maturity, seemed to resemble a younger Sydney Poitier. Anyway, I digress.... The crowd was a decent mix, racially, but most of the crowd was mid-40's or older. Not too surprising, considering the "Venue" ( the actual name of the theatre with-in the Horshoe Casino, in Hammond Indiana....2 minutes over the state line and city limits of Chicago). It's NICE and NEW and coud be considered expensive. Well....The @$%#$ power went out, 1/2 way through " Right next door/because of me". Robert handled the crowd with an impromptu impression of James Brown...lol...a rare treat that NEARLY made up for ruining one of my favorite commercial songs of the past 25 years. Another throw-back to James Brown, was when Biship Billy Bowers ( the most rotund, of the Blind Boys), would be helped to his seat SEVERAL TIMES, BUT WOULD NOT STAY PUT.....and had to repeatedly be sat down, because his boogie-woogie gyrations would get out-of controll. So the show was a thrill for me, good sound from the Matchless and Ampeg gear, and antics from the band.Robert's still got good "Pipes" I googled Richard Cousins career and have discovered Philpp Fankhauser.....(good stuff) Thanks Guys, keep the music alive.... Tony-da-Ant (Chi-Iown)
Enjoyed it very much. Very Good. We see Robert Cray when ever possible
Great show if not brief, excellent guitarist with solid band
One of best perfomences I saw. Great singer and guitar plater.
I have seen robert many times, I have to say this may have been one of his best performances. He played withso much passion this evening, it was awesome!
Robert Cray was very Wholesome and interacted with the crowd
Great intimate setting for an awesome concert by Robert Cray- LOVE HIM!!!
Great show! could have had a little less Big Bad Voodoo and more Robert Cray and Band. Big Bad VooDoo was fun but we were really there to see Robert. His voice is clear and crisp. Guitar playing/style totally his own and beautiful. dancing Richard Cousins on Bass was a great burst of energy and the timing between the two very natural. the keyboard/organ player was totally amazing. I am sorry that i don't remember his name right now. Robert is a great personality. I'd love to see him play again. Beautiful night under the stars at Montalvo too!
Montalvo Arts Center is amazing. Great place for a concert, nice surroundings. Beer was expensive, though. Robert Cray was wonderful, as usual. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy was a nice surprise, at least for me. First time I saw them, and was impressed. Bery good band, great musicians and act.
I have to say the show was great. I have seen him 8 times and each time he puts on a fantastic show.
Boy what a show! BBVD was just terrific!! There horns were so amazing, talk about swinging! and Robert Cray a blues master. He is so soulful and his band was terrific too. It was an excellent show, TOTALLY!!
Amazing concert, fantastic venue. I loved the Montalvo, it is very intimate and no bad seats in the theater. Been a fan of Robert Cray for many years and he did not disappoint.
Robert Cray headlined, but Big Bad Voodoo Daddy stole the show. BBVD started hot and got only hotter. Great musicianship and the whole band appeared to be really enjoying playing for the appreciative crowd. Cray, on the other hand, seemed to go through the motions. The players just wandered onstage for their set, with no introduction. While their musicianship was undeniable -- especially keyboardist Jim Pugh -- Cray just seemed preoccupied. He had a couple of good guitar soloes, but the overall impression -- at last to this observer -- was that Cray was just fulfilling his obligation. The band played for barely an hour and came back for one encore of maybe 10 minutes. Overall, Cray disappointed, but BBVD cooked, start to finish.
