Perhaps the most telling tune on Shoulda Been Home is the T-Bone Walker-influenced "Renew Blues," not because of the style, but because the slow blues fades out after just one tiny minute. By contrast, the mellow soul sway of "Out of Eden" stretches out to over nine minutes. Robert Cray has been heralded as a savior of modern blues, but the truth is Cray's music is much closer to the vintage soul of O.V. Wright and Otis Redding than the 12-bar form of B.B. King or {$Albe...   [ read more ]

CD $16.13

If its predecessor hadn't been so powerful, this collection might have been a little more striking in its own right. As it is, a solid if not overwhelming album sporting the memorable "Playin' in the Dirt" and "I've Slipped Her Mind." ~ Bill Dahl, All Music Guide

CD $11.38

Heritage of the Blues: Phone Booth features highlights from modern bluesman Robert Cray's two records he recorded for Hightone at the beginning of his career. When he burst on the scene in the early '80s, Cray's soulful blues really caught on with blues fans who were looking for a modern voice and a modern sound. Songs like "Phone Booth" and "The Grinder" were rooted in the real blues but given a light, almost pop sheen that made them easy to swallow. This collection has six s...   [ read more ]

CD $11.38