Robert Cray emerged from the thick billowing smoke produced by the dry ice machine at Billy Bob’s, the world’s largest honky-tonk, and screamed at the audience to “GET HIGH, GET HIGH, GET HIGHER, PEOPLE!” Wearing rudely tight purple spandex pants, a ripped Sex Pistols t-shirt, and sporting a ‘70s style Afro, he made repeated lascivious comments to the ticket buying females and shouted about “THE REVOLUTION” between songs, except when he was spewing obscenities. At one point, he refused to continue his performance until somebody brought “the white powder and I don’t mean flour, my friends” backstage.
Of course, none of that happened.
Robert Cray performs well constructed contemporary blues music that, unfortunately, seems to be more often about being properly crafted than being personally inspired. Verses are filled with staccato guitar notes that lead into rapid fire guitar solos. He doesn’t embarrass himself lyrically, but he’s not often particularly clever or memorable. While he generally just said, “Thank you very much” between songs, he could have just as easily said, “Here’s another song about a bad relationship.”
On one level, there is nothing to criticize about his playing or singing (which had faint hints of Sam Cooke on some of the slower material). The rhythm section provides a steady groove, the organist (Jim Pugh – who looks like Abe Vigoda and plays like Booker T.) colors in the empty space, and Cray sings about his heartbreak in his verse/chorus/solo/verse/
Cray was able to transcend his formula on his best songs, including “Right Next Door (Because of Me)” and the yardbird as sex metaphor “Chicken in the Kitchen.” For the last song of the encore, “I’m Done Crying,” the poker player put all his cards on the table. While the church organ churned in the background, Cray earnestly and somewhat agonizingly proclaimed that whatever obstacles life threw in his path, ultimately he was still proud and was “still a man.” It was the type of song and performance that makes you clearly understand why so many people admire Cray’s work.
However, in the end, Cray’s best performances seem to solidify the impression that he is a home run power hitter, who much too often settles for the safe base hit.
Grade – B+
Setlist:
I Guess I Showed Her
Phone Booth
I Can’t Fail
Bouncin’Back
I Shiver
Sadder Days
The Forecast (Calls for Pain)
Right Next Door (Because of Me)
Great Big Old House
The One in the Middle
Chicken in the Kitchen
Smoking Gun
Encore
Don’t You Even Care
I’m Done Crying