Robert Cray has made many albums. They’re all a passable listen but there are one or two real gems. The ruggedly simple blues/soul romp ‘Bad Influence’ is definitely my favorite.
Cray inhabits a world where men worship and adore their ‘sweet baby’ until she ‘done me wrong’, at which point the hated lawyers will start rearing their ugly yet necessary heads… His lyrics are full of bravado and often hilarious. The comic timing of ‘The Grinder’ as he explains how she put his wedding ring through his nose gets me every time. And ‘So Many Women, So Little Time’ is a masculine anthem. These moments of frivolity are all the more convincing for the moments of heartache, tender love and dignity. Rarely has such a convincing personae been expressed in an album.
The music is played by a small, tight band. Nothing is wasted in the arrangements and Cray’s simple yet fiery guitar licks are as direct as his lyrics. His voice is a masterpiece of gritty blues sincerity and passionate soul pastiche and fits the subject matter perfectly.
If you’re a guy who’s had a hard time with women lately and like your blues with a soul/funk twist then this is the album that’ll get you to ‘March On’ as you begin to face the world once more.
My other favorite of Cray’s is ‘Strong Persuader’ – a somewhat slicker follow-up to ‘Bad Influence’. It’s not quite as raw & genuine but still a great listen.
Want to go backstage?