The Robert Cray Band, Who’s Been Talkin’, 1980 on Tomato

Debut album from Robert Cray and band (Curtis Salgado, Richard Cousins, and Dave Olson). Tomato was a NY based indie label started in the late 70s by Kevin Eggers, who also released albums by Albert King, Townes Van Zandt, Lightnin’ Hopkins, and John Cage (among others).

My copy—via Antone’s Records in Austin TX—is an original 1980 Presswell pressing with the Tomato label.

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The Robert Cray Band, Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, 1988 on Mercury

Fifth full length from Robert Cray and co – sometimes referred to as The Robert Cray Band, other places just Robert Cray from the 1980s. This was their second major label record (on Mercury following Hightone and Tomato). It was not as successful as Strong Persuader which preceded it but there are some great songs here, including the title cut.

Produced by Bruce Bromberg and Dennis Walker, with The Memphis Horns and David Sanborn on one track.

My copy—via Vinyl Destination in Lowell, MA—is a 1988 specialty pressing with promotional labels, though mine does not include the press kit.

#1980s #1988 #Blues #LowellMA #Mercury #RobertCray #RobertCrayBand #vinyl #VinylDestination #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

The Robert Cray Band, That’s What I Heard, 2020 on Nozzle Records

Robert Cray (often attributed as The Robert Cray Band) has been making great electric blues albums since 1980’s Who’s Been Talkin’. This is their most recent studio album and won the Soul Blues Award at the Blues Music Awards from the Blues Foundation in 2021.

I’m a huge fan of Cray’s approach to the blues and it’s great to hear what good shape his voice and his playing are in.

I picked up my copy (on clear vinyl) at a 2024 show at the Cabot Theater in Beverly MA.

#2020 #2020s #BeverlyMA #Blues #BluesMusicAwards #CabotTheater #NozzleRecords #RobertCray #RobertCrayBand #SoulBlues #vinyl #vinylcollection