Blues guitarist Robert Cray blazes out of the studio

Blues guitarist Robert Cray blazes out of the studio
August 2, 2009
By Martin Bandyke
freep.com

A versatile blues guitarist and vocalist who employs rock, soul, reggae and a touch of gospel in his repertoire, Robert Cray went through a few changes on the way to "This Time" (*** out of four stars, out Aug. 11 on Nozzle/Vanguard Records), his first studio release in more than four years.
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Cray has altered the lineup of his band to bring back original bassist Richard Cousins, who played on the 1986 high-watermark effort "Strong Persuader," the album that featured Cray's smash hit "Smoking Gun." Longstanding keyboardist Jim Pugh was retained, but on drums is new member Tony Braunagel, best known for his work on Bonnie Raitt's comeback album "Nick of Time."

Don't expect anything dramatically different from this reformulated band, just smooth, Motown-style soul on "Love 2009" and sumptuous R&B on "That's What Keeps Me Rockin'," both featuring blazing guitar solos from Cray. The band really cooks on "Trouble and Pain," a mid-tempo number supercharged by Cray's impassioned vocal and Braunagel's rock-solid backbeat.

Modest Mouse revisits some songs left off its last two full-length albums, on the budget-priced eight-song EP "No One's First And You're Next" (**, out Tuesday on Epic), proving yet again why most outtakes should never see the light of day.

Even the indie-rock band's brilliant guitarist Johnny Marr, formerly of the Smiths, can't overcome the increasingly self-indulgent ramblings of vocalist Isaac Brock on the annoying "Guilty Cocker Spaniels" and "The Whale Song." The Dirty Dozen Brass Band supplies horns on "Perpetual Motion Machine" and does give that track some life, but the overall bludgeoning quality of this second-rate material is for masochistic fans only.

Changing like a chameleon from album to album is Joe Henry, the restlessly inventive singer-songwriter and producer who's gone from his beginnings as an alt-country artist to one who incorporates jazz, rock, electronica and more into music that is sui generis. Suffice it to say that there aren't many musicians besides Henry who have utilized the talents of both avant-garde sax player Ornette Coleman and former Rolling Stone Mick Taylor as sidemen on their albums.

"Blood From Stars" (****, out Aug. 18 on Anti-) is a particularly challenging work, a sprawling effort that may frustrate the casual listener but will likely enthrall those with patient, adventurous ears. Jumping out amid the dizzying variety of moods and instrumentation are three songs that rank as some of Henry's finest to date: "Channel," "All Blues Hail Mary" and "Stars." Mysteriously beautiful and layered like an endless tiramisu, these leave lasting impressions with darkly evocative lyrics and intricate arrangements.
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Henry's teenage son Levon Henry makes his recording debut on "Blood From Stars" playing saxophone and clarinet, but this is much more than gotta-include-my-kid musical nepotism. Levon is a seriously talented player who's already won competitions at the Monterey Jazz Festival, and his soprano sax solo on "Stars" is spellbinding. More outstanding contributions come from longtime collaborators Patrick Warren (keyboards), Jay Bellerose (drums) and David Piltch (bass), and the always riveting Marc Ribot is here on guitar and -- rare for him -- cornet.

Blues-rock legend Delbert McClinton is up to his old tricks on the satisfying "Acquired Taste," (***, out Aug. 18 on New West), a scruffy album with a shot-and-a-beer feel that'll leave you feeling nicely buzzed. This is greasy, good-time rock 'n' roll steeped in blues and country. McClinton is obviously having a ball on the infectious "Cherry Street," "Mama's Little Baby" and "Do It." In a voice increasingly reminiscent of Dr. John's, Texas native McClinton growls through these Don Was-produced tunes with the ease of a master.

Highly recommended is a visit to the revamped Web site of the musical visionary Beck. You'll find www.beck.com filled to the brim with videos, interviews, unreleased songs and more. Most intriguing are the music and video postings from his first Record Club project, in which he covers an album by another artist in its entirety. Currently posted are six songs and accompanying videos from his recording of the Velvet Underground's debut "The Velvet Underground & Nico." It has a cast of musicians that includes frequent Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich. Look for an upcoming Record Club project that will feature Beck and Wilco covering "Oar," a solo album recorded four decades ago by the late Skip Spence, onetime member of Jefferson Airplane and Moby Grape.
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For more thrills, click on the Irrelevant Topics icon and you'll find the transcript of a lengthy, two-part conversation between Tom Waits and Beck -- fascinating, informative and funny. And just posted this week is a touching tribute to choreographer Merce Cunningham, who passed away recently at the age of 90. The best part is that the content is free.
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Nice timing for the indie-rock band Light in August, whose fine debut album "Places" (***, self-released) will be unveiled at a CD-release party Aug. 14 at the Crofoot's Pike Room in Pontiac. Named after a novel by William Faulkner, the band is led by University of Michigan music grad Alex Wand on vocals and guitar. Wand writes delicately beautiful songs in the style of Belle and Sebastian & Nick Drake. Ali Hodges' luscious harmony vocals and Rachel Woolf's flute playing lend an atmosphere of sophisticated introspection that is quite stunning.