Robert Cray interview: guitar playing and conversation

Рет қаралды 200,211

Күн бұрын

Robert Cray has won Grammys, sold millions of records and achieved mainstream success with music that fuses blues, soul, rock 'n' roll and more. His most recent album Nothin But Love proves he's as energised and expressive as ever, underlining his position as an all-time great of the electric guitar.
Hear what Robert had to say when he sat down with Guitarist magazine in mid-2012. He also brought a Strat along too...
Guitarist on Apple Newsstand:
itunes.apple.com/gb/app/guita...
Subscribe to Guitarist:
www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk...

Пікірлер: 204

@TimMer1981 6 жыл бұрын

Most underrated famous guitarist ever.

@deancrow3525 3 жыл бұрын

Nah that's Ronnie Montrose

@Az_1987 3 жыл бұрын

@@deancrow3525 For me it's Greg Koch

@theyrecousins 2 жыл бұрын

I mean, he gets a ton of accolades from other musicians. But I’d agree, whatever he’s gotten ain’t nearly enough. He’s surely one of the very smartest guitarists alive, bar none.

@Az_1987 Жыл бұрын

@@markkasick Has a career spanning decades. Multiple albums, tours internationally. He's famous in my books.

@markkasick Жыл бұрын

@@Az_1987 I was referring to Greg koch

@bomdelux 11 жыл бұрын

He has a voice like silk and guitar playing that is an extension of his voice. Cannot praise him enough.

@bigdaddystinkeye 10 жыл бұрын

I played the local clubs here in Seattle back when Robert did. I remember several times rushing down the street after my gig to catch his last set. He was, and still is, special. Full of soul. What a voice.

@geoffreybreasley9845 Жыл бұрын

Did Robert say Railway don't come out here no more Bb A Eb and its cold Fm Cdim9 D9 through Nambucca up the coast the grass is greener the girls are sweeter I did all the last ten summers F^~Cdim3~~

@bigdaddystinkeye Жыл бұрын

@@geoffreybreasley9845 Perhaps

@s1914 9 жыл бұрын

Forget his guitar playing this guy has one of the nicest speaking and singing voices I've ever heard!!

@JordanHigginsGuitar 6 жыл бұрын

Don't forget his guitar playing at all

@chrisarcher6972 4 жыл бұрын

Abso-fucking-lutely!

@Stratcatblues 9 жыл бұрын

What a super nice guy!!

@rmarty550 5 жыл бұрын

Humble and down to earth, great guy great talent.

@postevieray1196 8 жыл бұрын

There's something very calming to his demeanor

@johnkoval1898 Жыл бұрын

An intelligent man and a fabulous blues musician.

@zakwagner5793 4 жыл бұрын

He was very humble when i met him, such a genuinely nice guy.

@markwarren4208 2 жыл бұрын

Saw Bob twice in the 90s in the UK, even bumped into him after an early sound check and we spoke briefly. He's the real deal, a great guy who has his own distinctive blues groove and sound. Love him!

@jonathonremington3263 7 жыл бұрын

The most underated musician in the history of all music. Somebody take notice!!!! "I Shiver" is the best blues song Ive ever heard. THANK YOU Robert Cray! :)

@rickbialo5183 5 жыл бұрын

I agree with you BUT...People have taken notice. I feel that the Blues is a special type of music that has to grow within ones deepest part of your soul. It's style is distinct..The saying majority rules may explain its less than popular choice of today's ears. As time goes by, the types of music is generally popular with the younger listeners around the world. 50 years ago it was the European invasion followed by Classic Rock, then Disco and then the current hip hop. The Blues goes back along way, and it's inspired some of the greatest in the music industry but to listen to, play or enjoy the style of the Blues you must first have to of had every type style of music run through your veins.., ears..mind and last but not least..your soul.

@paulsigmon7263 3 жыл бұрын

BB Kink new Robert was special!

@linsayspence7070 3 жыл бұрын

Smoking gun does it for me 🤩

@wendylucka2397 2 жыл бұрын

Has to be one of my favorites!

@linsayspence7070 2 жыл бұрын

Smoking gun and rather be a wino are also brill🤩

@tylerleavitt2715 4 жыл бұрын

Robert Cray, is and has been one of the most personable and nice guy. I hope he knows how well he’s appreciated by Hard Rock players. smoking gun brought me here.

@bruzukamente 4 жыл бұрын

Wow i didnt know that

@jadedstar3673 4 жыл бұрын

I finally got around to introducing Cray's music to my husband... He'd never heard of him

@Cuardaitheoirfirinne 9 жыл бұрын

Holy cow! He sets the bar. New frets every 6 months is absolutely incredible.

@brickbreaker8148 8 жыл бұрын

I know...isn't that a trip? What a legacy!

@fivepiece 6 жыл бұрын

I wonder why he doesn't use stainless steel...?

@pabloperez4063 6 жыл бұрын

i got really amazed too !

@josephovermyer9276 5 жыл бұрын

its not about the new frets

@SevanStick 2 жыл бұрын

It‘s more of fretwork than NEW frets.

@michaelheinz3954 2 жыл бұрын

What a beautiful soul, such a great person!

@ninigreen7937 10 жыл бұрын

Robert your voice is ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VOICES in the music industry coupled with this AMAZING guitar playing just SMASHING! I love your music When are you coming to England? Please do very soon..

@Nebula37 3 жыл бұрын

I do think Robert Cray is underrated. In retrospect, Strong Persuader is one of my favorite albums ever, let alone in the blues genre. I keep going back to it, years later.

@SevanStick 2 жыл бұрын

Why is he not better known. This guy is my favorite blues player ever.

@jacobtobias9255 2 жыл бұрын

Just saw him with my buddy last night, him and his band is so unbelievably awesome, my face still hurts from grinning so much. If you ever get the chance to see him live GO SEE HIM!!!

@jeannelozier2276 9 жыл бұрын

My absolute favorite...my inspiration. He is to me a classy musician with a pure voice and sound. Knows when not to play. The best!

@brickbreaker8148 8 жыл бұрын

Cheers to that....saw and met him in Chicago...he gave a warm smile and hand shake! I felt like a goofy kid again..lol

@mytelecasterworld3336 3 жыл бұрын

one of the masters of strat.....love his chimey tone

@zon3665 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for keeping authentic blues alive in our day Mr. Cray. Hats off!

@benjaminhillman8873 6 жыл бұрын

I'm 15. And I love your music

@ArthurRJ-Racing 4 жыл бұрын

Cherry Snow you were 15, so what? Are you some kind of special kid now?

@Bryan-ct2qm Жыл бұрын

14 minutes of pure joy watching this.

@mytelecasterworld3336 3 жыл бұрын

what everybody calls "second position" robert cray calls "fourth position"...he's not only great, he is also unique....one of the greatest on strat.....

@kentlewan 7 жыл бұрын

I love listening to RC speaking, singing, playing, whatever. Thanks for publishing this excellent interview!

@emptypromises2962 3 жыл бұрын

God damn! Robert burns his frets faster than I burn strings. What an absolute killer player he is. I remember hearing ”Right next door” as a kid and I instantly loved that tune.

@tmatheson54 3 жыл бұрын

I’ve seen Robert perform live at an evening outdoor concert. It was set in front of a lake. Great ambience. Fantastic show. Robert nails his guitar and vocals!!!!! I mean come on they named a computer after him. The Cray super computer. Ha!

@airtow6766 Жыл бұрын

First time hearing Robert Cray I was bowled over at his stylings and tone. Then I saw him live in a small club in my hometown of Columbus Oh and was hooked. He still plays like no one else!

@debdebord21 4 жыл бұрын

Absolutely love this man.

@pauloandretorres146 8 жыл бұрын

awesome talent, not only at guitar, but also singing, unique voice tone, match perfectly with guitar tune. It's great to listen his work, changes the day (to better)!

@AmDsus2Fmaj7Am 10 жыл бұрын

Rob's really good. I saw him live recently and it was amazing. Great guitar player.

@ugenious01 4 жыл бұрын

Never gets old seeing him perform , BRAVO Robert and thank you .

@davidsedlickas8222 6 жыл бұрын

A discovered diamond. Crisp and clean. Beautiful voice Nice man. Fully deserved recognition.

@therealsi-b1141 7 жыл бұрын

What a genuinely lovely guy - of this I am more impressed than anything & I sure hope I one day live to be able to say I'd need to get my guitar refretted after about 6 months cos've playing it so much.

@paulbeel2917 2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely the genius that resides in my brain more often than not

@chrisoleksy7483 Жыл бұрын

The only guy to play lead guitar for Clapton. Old Love. Beautiful.

@craniofacialsurgeon 6 жыл бұрын

A warm and lovely character - never really comes through in the live shows. Try to never miss a show in the UK. Fabulous voice and plays the guitar like an extension of his body. Very few musicians manage that. Listen to and watch him with Clapton and Dave Sanborn old 'Old Love', also at the very beginning, the album 'False Accusations' from the 80's. Lost my vinyl copy and it breaks my heart that I can't find a streamed or digital version. 'Porch Light' and 'Sonny' are voice and guitar in perfect harmony and the tightest band you ever heard. Wish i could play like that.

@rondellschuyler7074 5 жыл бұрын

Educated and talented that's what Robert Cray is and that's what makes his music so special. Thanks RC

@brucelee03021989 4 жыл бұрын

I am so glad that I can say that I saw this legend live!

@havemofun 9 жыл бұрын

What a nice gentleman. I first saw him live in the 80's at the Long Beach Blues Festival, sitting on the grass drinking beers, when they use to hold it on the Long Beach State University athletic field. Strong Persuader had recently been released. He blew us away.

@MusicStuffSome 11 жыл бұрын

nicehumble guy with amazing guitar playing so much feel to what he plays

@richardmoorejr.3110 6 жыл бұрын

and play he does! Amazes me!

@davidallen346 6 жыл бұрын

Last original blues guitar player that's what Clapton calls him, interesting to know he likes heavy guage strings with high action

@pennyfarmer1423 3 жыл бұрын

Been a fan from a teen.i was into the magic of blues the hidden stuff.just love it

@graveyardghost2603 3 жыл бұрын

What a gentleman. Respect.

@wladekwloszcz3803 5 жыл бұрын

I love the guy, if only we had communicators like him all around us - this planet would be the center of the Universe (-s).

@zachmcelfresh 6 ай бұрын

Love Robert Crays music. Excellent guitarists and his singing is so incredible.

@The_Repair_Shop 4 ай бұрын

Such a calm demeanor in conversation and you can just sense the blues simmering just below the surface. Its magic to watch and listen to it flow out on stage. A treasure

@415JayTee 7 жыл бұрын

Love you, RC. Keep bringing those funky soul blues, bro.

@cherylburke1267 6 жыл бұрын

He used to come into the Whole foods here in LA when I was working there. I got the chance to talk to him many times and he was just the same as in this interview, awesome guy. I got him to sign the nylon string I was learning on, unfortunately I played the hell out of it and his signature is gone, but I know... :)

@lilymcdonald883 6 жыл бұрын

Robert Cray has a Beautiful speaking voice as well as a great singing voice

@boozoochavis7506 6 жыл бұрын

Used to see "Young" Bob back in the 80's when he was working his way up the ladder, he IS a better guitar player than he is a singer - and his voice is one of THE best! We only hear about half of what he is capable of doing.

@14lamnc1 9 жыл бұрын

love that lick 9:50 - 9:53

@sherrysmith1033 2 жыл бұрын

i just recently found out, that apparently, i lived down the street from robert and went to school with him....i wish i could remember,,,,time to drag out the year book....

@ChrisStrat67 5 жыл бұрын

I saw him live recently. I like his use of chords and his awesome lyrics. Great musician.

@acousticgypsy314 6 жыл бұрын

Love this guy! Real unique player.

@radomirflek 6 жыл бұрын

It is so refreshing to bumb into someone who is not obsessed with so much guitar junk and uses a fairly simple guitar as a plain tool to produce truely wonderful music. Thank you so much, Rob!

@eqlzr2 9 жыл бұрын

If Robert is really like the persona he exhibits here, then he is a fine gentleman, and deserving of even more cudos and respect than he already gets. I remember seeing him in some youtube video or other, and I remember thinking he came across there as somewhat remote and cold. Really, in most of the videos I've seen him in, he doesn't come across as nearly the warm person that he apparently really is. IMHO, he should cultivate this more in his shows. I think it would work well for him.

@DeanoPiano 9 жыл бұрын

I remember listening to BBC 2 Radio last summer and 'A Memo' came on the radio and I just loved the groove but I didn't know who it was by until he started singing and I was like 'Yep that's Robert Cray' love that song and what an incredible voice to.

@IamtheActionman 10 жыл бұрын

Class act!

@deathlesshorsie 10 жыл бұрын

sound like a genuinely nice guy...

@MikeJBlues Жыл бұрын

What a fantastic artist. Love his music, legendary for sure .

@TheOpinionatedGuitarist 10 жыл бұрын

Great interview!

@alhawaritalbi6371 6 жыл бұрын

And it goes like this!

@alexandermayer4597 6 жыл бұрын

one of the best strat players these days and great voice

@candaceleigh123456 4 жыл бұрын

Love love love Robert's BLUES, HE IS THE BEST, has velvet in his voice.

@idig63 4 жыл бұрын

What an awesome man, besides being an awesome guitarist and singer. And GREAT questions were asked of him. They were questions I always wondered but didnt think anyone would actually ask. Thank you thank you.

@mattlaurence2420 7 жыл бұрын

Guys, I don't think he's talking about a refret every 6 months, he's likely talking about a fret dress/crown, which is the process of making the frets even and round after you flatten them out from playing.

@johnmcgrath8886 4 жыл бұрын

agree, most regular players will have little dents in the lower frets after about six weeks of daily practice -you won't see it until you remove a string but it will affect players who bend strings as part of their style - a fret dress will restore smooth bending...

@lynnmoserakajona1550 4 жыл бұрын

I love this man!

@aronkelley8634 Ай бұрын

RC 💙

@andyinwards2119 6 жыл бұрын

Good stuff!

@kecurroj 10 ай бұрын

We went to HS together and I believe it was Robert that got Albert Collins to play at our graduation party. Saw him many times over the years in the Seattle area and beyond. Great talent and great guy.

@jrbynumburnopp585 6 жыл бұрын

Absolutely, ROBERT Cray is the focal point of the band’s sound. ROBERT deserves all the good that people say about him and his music. I respectfully submit Jim Pugh( Founder of Little Village) the keyboard man for RCB and Richard Cousins on bass made outstanding contributions to the RCB.

@royknowlton2947 5 жыл бұрын

Robert Cray is just the coolest guy of all time. Would love to sit and pick his brain on guitar tone and song writing.

@muskykingjoe Жыл бұрын

Saw him open for Santana in Wilkes-Barre Pa. Have bought all his albums ever since.

@pablopistacio5661 4 жыл бұрын

What a great guy .

@jimbeauwalsh7912 2 жыл бұрын

a beautiful soul!

@billyclub56 9 жыл бұрын

Had never heard of him, seen him open for Huey Lewis in 80's (Little Rock). Stole the Show ! Been a fan ever since

@davidfriesen7748 4 ай бұрын

I Love how your so down to Earth !?!

@jasonharris5214 Ай бұрын

I met him and the band in Glastonbury 1987 they'd just finished supporting Tina Turner great bunch of guys.

@robmarykunzig5533 4 жыл бұрын

Once apon a time I was chatting with a customer and was (jazz) saying how I'm falling for Blues, even Slow Blues where he responded, "look up Robert Cray." I wrote it down and moved on. On my dresser was the note "Robert Cray", and weeks later I was about to toss it when I was thinking that I had no idea what this note was from and who (work wise) was Robert Cray? but something screemed don't do anything before you figure it out. Thank God for Google. Mr. Cray, thank you - and your band mates - my joy abounds. - R

@hansvandermeulen5872 Жыл бұрын

I loved him and is crew from the start!!End of 70 ties.

@joanhastings 3 жыл бұрын

AMAZING GIFTED

@altonwilliams7117 3 жыл бұрын

My bucket list concert is Robert Cray. 🎸🎵

@hasan_yaremchuk 10 жыл бұрын

i adore you..

@glennevans5824 6 жыл бұрын

A fantastic player...

@jerryodom7358 Жыл бұрын

I wished someone would put out a KZfaq video about learning his song “I Was Warned”……such a great song….

@titancheat 9 жыл бұрын

Robert cray is an awesome musician. I'd love a hardtail strat. Even in the violet/burgundy.

@coffeewaldo 7 жыл бұрын

titancheat what do u mean EVEN in the and it's dark purple btw almost black. It's not burgundy.

@andrewblanton5397 6 жыл бұрын

titancheat with maple neck would be perfect

@jayadams681 5 жыл бұрын

Got pissed off trying to find one so ended up making my own from parts best guitar i've ever played

@TracyLanebike 6 жыл бұрын

His demeanor matches his playing, warm and bright.

@stevecrossguitar 11 жыл бұрын

strat nerds will note he prefers modern style diecast saddles on bridge instead of the standard "bent steel" ones which all new fenders come with

@johnbigglesfriend1289 Жыл бұрын

ROBERT IS THE MAN

@trueworld3857 5 жыл бұрын

Love his guitar playing no effects either jusf the straight pickup natural sound.

@sergeybogdanovich7019 7 ай бұрын

Super guitarist 🙏🍀❤️🎵🎶👌🎼🎸✌️

@SJ-cm8tv 5 жыл бұрын

Brilliant! Great vibrato with 11’s!

@Locktwiste72 3 жыл бұрын

His voice is like silk satin, and he seems to have a cool and calm demeanor.

@SIRONEDRAGON 11 жыл бұрын

cool : )

@chrisferrett1455 6 жыл бұрын

Can you tour in Australia please, went to see you in London when i lived there once, and have always hoped you would come down under. please pretty plz with sugar on top.. come to perth aus..