Those familiar with the Robert Cray Band need no encouragement from my review - just click the order button and once again you will be treated with the best blend of passionate soul, blues, and r-n-b ever to grace our unworthy disk drives. Those of you less familiar with the work of these amazing talents, I envy you as you are in for a treat!
There is an evolution on SBH, (perhaps even more so than on the outstanding Grammy Winning release 'Take Your Shoes Off'), and it is something to behold. Yes, the 'tightest band' around still displays the genius. Jim Pugh continues to show he deserves the Handy for his keyboard and organ work every year. Kevin Hayes' work is impeccable as always, particularly shinning on the cover tunes. Karl Sevaried driving rhythm is flawless and on. The main evolution here comes from Mr. Cray himself. Gone is the guitar slinging 'Young Bob', self-professed road man of yesteryear. In his place the always confident, always humble, ever growing and creating 'not as young Bob' has obviously grown older and happier. It suits him well. There is a maturity here even beyond what we always expect. The subtleness and soft-spoken guitar work seems to fit perfect with his deeper, and closer to the mike vocals. While long ago Robert and his strat have been respected in the same class as his guitar hero's Collins and Copeland, with SBH perhaps he will finally truly be appreciated for his incomparable vocal talents with his Vocalist hero's Otis and OV.
The music seems to say: yah, we get the blues sometimes - relationships are tough - but I'm happy and life IS good, can I share it with you. The first track 'Baby's Arm's' highlights this fact...I popped this in my car stereo when I got back from a 7 day trip and it had smiling from ear-to-ear thinkin' about my baby.
The slow-burning bluesy-soul RCB is here with 'Already Gone' and 'Help Me Forget' recalling classic Cray love and relationship pain. One of the disks highlights 'Far Away' co-written with Mr. Cray's wife (the second such effort) shares a whole story in just a few versus. It seems to tell the painful too often occurrence of a man who still loves his family, but is having trouble loving himself, it makes you want to know the rest of the story and hope that it has a good ending. Another highlight, and one of the two tracks contributed by Mr. Pugh 'Anytime' is a perfect track for those that like their blues funky. While a retro feel, the groove is pure infectious and the albums best showcase of a band that seems to come together as one so effortlessly. The soft-spoken, mature 'No One Special could prove to be most listeners favorite as it drips sweet soul music. We can assume that the upcoming tour will feature the 10 minute plus blues jam 'Out Of Eden' as it offers excellent solo's from both Jim and Robert.
My only tinny-little wish is that in place of the 3 covers we had three more originals. While they provide some excellent blues for all us fanatics - I'm just greedy and would have liked more RCB. Also for those huge fans of the Memphis Horns like myself, we don't get them here - maybe next time.
My recommendation...add this disk and every other RCB disk you do not own to your shopping cart...and do it now!
Shoulda' Been Home - Buying this CD
Where has the old Cray band gone?
