Strong Persuader Hits Greensboro, North Carolina
I decided to treat myself to a concert Friday night. It had been a while since I'd been to see some live music, and that had to change. I attended a Robert Cray Band concert at Carolina Theater in Greensboro, which is a beautiful historic theater in the newly revitalized downtown area. What's even better is that the acoustics of the theater are as close to perfect as I've seen in any venue.
Opening for Cray was a new act, Brendan James, who sang and played piano. James' style is more of the introspective singer/songwriter mold. Think Billy Joel meets James Taylor. Lyrically and performance-wise, he was very good, but his style is so far removed from Cray's this it was an awkward fit. Still, the crowd warmed to him, especially upon finding out that he is a UNC alum. I spoke with him after his set, and found him to be friendly and open to the fans. If his style of music is your thing, I'd recommend attending a performance.
Cray took command from the moment that he went on stage. He opened the set with "Phone Booth", a classic from one of his earliest albums. Cray and company have been touring with Eric Clapton and playing 35 minute sets, so the band welcomed the chance to stretch a little during the almost 2 hour headlining show. Beside classics like "Smoking Gun" and "Strong Persuader", Cray played newer songs like "Poor Johnny" and "Twenty", a potent anti-war song and title track off the band's latest studio effort.
Several things have always impressed me with Cray. The most obvious is the stinging staccato attack that he uses when playing guitar. It is forceful at times, subtle at times, but always powerful and recognizable.
The same can be said of Cray's voice, which reminds me so much of the late great Sam Cooke. Cray is as much or more a soul performer than a blues performer, and this is most apparent in his singing style.
Finally, I find Cray to be one of the most insightful songwriters of our time in dealing with the subject of romantic relationships. Joy, elation, desire, infidelity, fear, anger, and payback all inhabit the world that he writes about. Cray's lyrics show him to be a perceptive student of the human heart, who sees its flaws, but also sees its resilience and beauty.
This was my first time attending a Robert Cray performance, and I hope that it is not the last. I'd encourage any fan of old school soul or blues, as well as any fan of great lyrics to catch the Robert Cray Band if you have the opportunity. You won't be disappointed.
Opening for Cray was a new act, Brendan James, who sang and played piano. James' style is more of the introspective singer/songwriter mold. Think Billy Joel meets James Taylor. Lyrically and performance-wise, he was very good, but his style is so far removed from Cray's this it was an awkward fit. Still, the crowd warmed to him, especially upon finding out that he is a UNC alum. I spoke with him after his set, and found him to be friendly and open to the fans. If his style of music is your thing, I'd recommend attending a performance.
Cray took command from the moment that he went on stage. He opened the set with "Phone Booth", a classic from one of his earliest albums. Cray and company have been touring with Eric Clapton and playing 35 minute sets, so the band welcomed the chance to stretch a little during the almost 2 hour headlining show. Beside classics like "Smoking Gun" and "Strong Persuader", Cray played newer songs like "Poor Johnny" and "Twenty", a potent anti-war song and title track off the band's latest studio effort.
Several things have always impressed me with Cray. The most obvious is the stinging staccato attack that he uses when playing guitar. It is forceful at times, subtle at times, but always powerful and recognizable.
The same can be said of Cray's voice, which reminds me so much of the late great Sam Cooke. Cray is as much or more a soul performer than a blues performer, and this is most apparent in his singing style.
Finally, I find Cray to be one of the most insightful songwriters of our time in dealing with the subject of romantic relationships. Joy, elation, desire, infidelity, fear, anger, and payback all inhabit the world that he writes about. Cray's lyrics show him to be a perceptive student of the human heart, who sees its flaws, but also sees its resilience and beauty.
This was my first time attending a Robert Cray performance, and I hope that it is not the last. I'd encourage any fan of old school soul or blues, as well as any fan of great lyrics to catch the Robert Cray Band if you have the opportunity. You won't be disappointed.