This Time arrives at a vital juncture in the musician’s career, marked by creative renewal and a key reunion with an old performing partner. Cray summarized 35 years of mastery on the debut Nozzle release Live From Across the Pond (2006), an electrifying two-CD concert set drawn from a series of shows (opening for Eric Clapton) at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
When the time came to follow up that widely praised collection with a studio recording, Cray viewed it as an opportunity to move his sound in other directions. He found exactly what he was looking for by turning to one of his oldest friends and colleagues, bassist Richard Cousins; his tenure with the Robert Cray Band began with its barnstorming regional origins in Eugene, Oregon, in 1974 and extended through 1991, encompassing such early highwater marks as Strong Persuader (1986) and Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark (1988), both winners of the best contemporary blues performance Grammy.
Cray, who began last year with concert appearances in Brazil and Japan, is supporting This Time with shows around North America with his reconfigured band.
8:00 PM, Sunday, October 3 at The Garrick Centre
Presented by the Winnipeg Folk Festival and The Union
Tickets $37.50 on sale Saturday, September 4 at 10:00 AM at the Winnipeg Folk Festival Music Store, 211 Bannatyne Avenue at Albert Street, (204) 231-1377, or ticketmaster.ca
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Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
