Robert Cray
Richard Smart
Issue date: 11/14/05 Section: Arts and Entertainment
Richard Smart
News Editor
Every now and then, there is an opening act whose performance captivates the audience so much that it seems they may overshadow the big name performer. Such was the case Saturday night at the State Theater when Grace Potter and the Nocturnals took the stage. The band took the stage at 8:30-the show was supposed to start at 7-and Potter said with a big smile, "We tricked you!" to those who thought they were showing up fashionably late to see Robert Cray were right on time for the Nocturnals.
The band launched into their set, with Potter jingling her tambourine and belting out lyrics in a way that was reminiscent of Janis Joplin without the Southern Comfort and cigarette smoke. For the next hour the band delivered a blend of blues, gospel and rock that had the audience captivated, and cheering them on every step of the way, as the kick-bass thumped along like a ferry on the Mississippi and the harmonica wailed like a train whistle.
If Robert Cray and his band were worried about having to follow an act that had so thoroughly arrested the audience, he didn't show it. Cray sauntered out onto stage with his guitar slung over his shoulder, and did as he has done for more than 20 years: hypnotizing the audience with his blend of R&B vocals, clean guitar playing and most of all, experience.
Cray's style, if anything, is relaxed. He hunches over the microphone and sings down to it like he would a child, or lover, drifting off to sleep. His guitar solos are smooth, pure blues, but instead of a flurry of notes he plays unhurriedly with long pauses between his phrases. It's like a conversation; he takes the time to listen as well as speak.
His voice is also unlike most blues front men. Instead of being harsh, gravelly and tortured, Cray is smooth and soulful. It's the kind of voice that is as comfortable in a church choir as it is in a smoky bar. Cray's voice is as much as an instrument as a means of telling the stories of his songs.
News Editor
Every now and then, there is an opening act whose performance captivates the audience so much that it seems they may overshadow the big name performer. Such was the case Saturday night at the State Theater when Grace Potter and the Nocturnals took the stage. The band took the stage at 8:30-the show was supposed to start at 7-and Potter said with a big smile, "We tricked you!" to those who thought they were showing up fashionably late to see Robert Cray were right on time for the Nocturnals.
The band launched into their set, with Potter jingling her tambourine and belting out lyrics in a way that was reminiscent of Janis Joplin without the Southern Comfort and cigarette smoke. For the next hour the band delivered a blend of blues, gospel and rock that had the audience captivated, and cheering them on every step of the way, as the kick-bass thumped along like a ferry on the Mississippi and the harmonica wailed like a train whistle.
If Robert Cray and his band were worried about having to follow an act that had so thoroughly arrested the audience, he didn't show it. Cray sauntered out onto stage with his guitar slung over his shoulder, and did as he has done for more than 20 years: hypnotizing the audience with his blend of R&B vocals, clean guitar playing and most of all, experience.
Cray's style, if anything, is relaxed. He hunches over the microphone and sings down to it like he would a child, or lover, drifting off to sleep. His guitar solos are smooth, pure blues, but instead of a flurry of notes he plays unhurriedly with long pauses between his phrases. It's like a conversation; he takes the time to listen as well as speak.
His voice is also unlike most blues front men. Instead of being harsh, gravelly and tortured, Cray is smooth and soulful. It's the kind of voice that is as comfortable in a church choir as it is in a smoky bar. Cray's voice is as much as an instrument as a means of telling the stories of his songs.
