I could not AGREE MORE! This man (Robert Cray) has always been an amazing talent. I was lucky enough to begin listening to him many moons ago. I cut my teeth on the Strong Persuader album and I loved every song. Amazing guitar player as well as a vocalist!

Mr Cray is the blues man that blues men listen to. His playing is fluid and he says what he wants in a tasteful way using just the right notes and number of notes unlike guys who cram a million notes at you and don't say much. Great episode! Thanks. Peace!

The one good thing about Robert being underrated is being able to see him in the smaller venues. He really is great.

i opened for robert a few years back. his rig was guitar and 2 matchless dc30s. amazing tone.his ability to sing and play those syncopated parts is mind boggling.

Robert Cray is amazing. Always a gentleman. I completely agree he is overlooked. His album Strong Persuader literally introduced me to the blues along with the first Jeff Healey album. Happy to say I've seen Mr.Cray in a theater in Maine and he did not disappoint.

Robert Cray. One of my biggest influences. Dude just knows how to play, sing and write. I've seen him 4 times over the decades. Each time his set list was different and his playing was fluid. So smooth. He taught me how to play clean and fluid. Been a fan of his since the mid- eighties.

Always loved Robert Cray. Definitely underrated , also plays a hardtail strat.

Robert Cray is one of my favorite guitar players AND one of my favorite singers. He is fantastic at both.

I saw him live in 2017 to an amphitheater of about 200 people. It felt like stepping into an era I never lived in, I tried to soak up everything I was listening to.

Mr. Cray is a great player, and his vocals are really top notch. Great job on your videos, Mike. Thanks for spreading the word about this wonderful music maker.

I just saw Robert Cray at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano and I was blown away. The very first thought I had was that he's one of the best underrated guitarists I've ever seen. His style is so unique and accomplished. Even his rhythm work is so eccentric and complex that it made it even more impressive that he was also singing so well at the same time! I'm so glad I made the effort to go see him. The concert was originally scheduled in November of 2020 and was repeatedly postponed (for obvious reasons) and I was so happy to catch him when he came back to Southern California. I would definitely see him again (though, hopefully, at a different venue).

I just saw him this summer in Germany. It was insane and so inspiring. So much soul and feel

Robert Cray is incredible. At the beginning you asked about underrated guitarists. I was floored when I heard Buckethead, not only did he have a technique I have never heard before with his nubbing technique. And on top of it the guy is a master of rock, blues, ambient, bluegrass and jazz and when he does an album in whatever style he chooses he sounds like someone who has been a master of that style all his life, like it is all he knows. It is crazy that guy is an unsung hero of the guitar.

Robert Cray's not only a great player, but his stage presence is especially engaging live

What a coincidence - I was just watching a ton of Robert Cray videos today! Big influence on me many years ago. "Some Rainy Morning" and "Sweet Potato Pie" are two of my favorite albums. His touch and timing and phrasing are SECOND. TO. NONE! Best voice in the blues too!

First heard cray a long time ago when watching a DVD of Clapton's Crossroads festival. Loved the man since then. That said, I do find a lot of people recognize him as great. I would throw Ray Parker Jr. out there as crazily underrated. The dude is a phenomenal guitar player, and no one seems to know it because of how Ghostbusters overshadows his career.

I remember as a kid watching Robert Cray play on crossroads. I just assumed I didn't know him because he was new or something (like when Gary Clark Jr. hit it big after a crossroads appearance a few years later). I was always surprised I didn't hear more of him after. I love his music and listen to a lot of it regularly. My favorite song by far is "This man"

My parents turned me onto Robert Cray when I was fifteen or so back in and around ‘96. Loved him ever since. Actaully got to see him live at the crossroads guitar festival in bridgeview Illinois once! He deserves more recognition!

Robert Cray's "Time makes two' is a phenomenal song. His performance on Clapton's Crossroads dvd was stunning!

Robert Cray has been one of my favorites for a while. He is great for tasteful playing. Not a flash, and envy thing fits the feel of the song. I like the way he mixes other genres in with his playing.

Robert Cray is awesome! I was turned onto him in the late 80's. Such a unique style.

Rory Gallagher is the most underrated for me

“That’s what I heard” is my favorite Robert Cray album His live shows are worth seeing He can share a stage with anyone

I saw Cray live in the 1990s and had a couple of his albums and he has always been one of my favorite blues players so I agree with everything you said and am glad you gave him some due acclaim.

I was lucky enough to be in college when he had his radio hits. bought his tapes back then, and finally saw him live in 2019. He has his own signature Fenders, and they're hardtail strats.

Man I love Robert Cray , he is a fantastic Guitar player, singer and writer 👌

Robert Cray is outstanding. Always glad to see an enthusiastic appreciation of his amazing work.

Outstanding. Robert Cray is so gutsy, he doesn't use effects just guitar and amp - he doesn't hide behind anything. So his playing has to be perfect, every time.

Robert Cray was one of the best guitar players I’ve ever heard live. He’s still touring, go see him!

Robert Cray is my favorite blues/soul guitarist of all time. Absolute legend! His voice is insanely beautiful and soulful too. Incredible to think he is simultaneously my clear cut favorite vocalist AND guitar player.

Robert Cray is an amazing player. Very much a player who isn’t brought up or discussed with the names of Clapton, SRV, et Al, but absolutely should. Looking at more modern players, Eric Gales kind of fits that today.

Thank you ! I couldn't agree more. Whenever I want to demonstrate my stereo system I put on Smokin' Gun and crank it up ! Most people don't know what they're listening to but they are amazed. Been following Robert for decades and have seen him live many times. He's a real road warrier.

Oh dang! Haha As I watched this, I assumed this would be some session wiz who you’d only recognize if you played on Steely Dan and Toto records back in the day. To my surprise and utter delight, it’s Robert Cray! My mom used to play him around the house a bunch when I was a kid, and some of those licks are absolutely chiseled into my memory. It’s great to see him get some love here, and it reminds me that I owe Mr. Cray a looooong overdue listen or two. Thanks for the great video!

Fantastic video. I appreciate the education and acknowledgement of such a great talent.

I love these videos, best guitar centered youtube channel in my opinion. Please keep making these!!

I think a lot of people have never heard of Cornell Dupree, but he recorded on something like 2,500 songs. Check him out if you're one of them.

I was sooooo obsessed with Old Love, specifically that live performance you mentioned in the video. I used to watch it every day. And that performance introduced me to Robert Cray. Eric's solo was amazing, but man, Robert's performance was somewhere else at another level. Very passionate phrasing, and it almost sounded like as if he strings were alive and screaming very elegantly. Eric's solo was very melodic and emotional, and Robert's solo was very "alive" and animal like. I was in utter shock that I had never heard of him before.

@MikeCole I love the channel! Thank you for this video! I saw Robert Cray in concert last night, all because you turned me onto him! It was such an incredible and passionate performance

Thanks! I really enjoy your videos!

I started watching for the funny shorts then one day I watched one of you longer videos and subscribed. This channel has a good formula of comedy, knowledge and being able to just shoot the sh**. Keep up the good work Mike I really dig it!

I saw Robert Cray concerts a few times. Each time i was amazed at how hard he hits the strings, hard but yet extremely delicate. Also what a powerfull and soulfull voice he has. I might even love his singing more than his guitarplaying! "Let's go like this!"😊

Your insights are really great.

Got to know about Cray thanks to a German guitar magazine I used to collect back during the 2000s, his tone and phrasing give me the same sort of glee I get from listening to Hiram Bullock. I also love Keb' Mo', another blues guitarist I've come to love during that time, even though he's more of an acoustic player.

Great video and with good points. Robert cray's phrasing and tone are awesome.

Great commentary! Your playing is Fire !

When I watch your vids, you always introduce me to players I’ve never listened too before. I listened to 'right next door' right after. Straight away I knew I was going to like it. Thanks man. Keep up the good work 😊

I have seen Young Bob perform about a dozen times. First time was when he was opening for Eric Clapton, SRV, Duck Dunn & Phil Collins at the Oakland Coliseum, sometime just before Stevie died in the '80's. His Strong Persuader album had just released. He is still touring and playing a lot of dates, mostly smaller venues. Definitely a treat to see him perform.

Totally agree! I discovered him on the SRV Tribute album (everyone who loves blues needs to go listen to this right away!) and have been hooked since. Old Love is such a great song.

Thanks for your video on Robert Cray! He is truly an amazing player. When I first heard is music in the 80's, the impact was much like SRV. I can remember when I heard it and how it impacted me. And like SRV, it was his voice that was just as prominent as his playing. One thing you didn't mention was his dedication to the Hardtail Stratocaster. The hardtail gives the Strat an attack like a Telecaster. Its a unique sound that he uses to mold his sound. I think its the reason you chose to play a Tele in your video. A Strat with a vibrato bridge just doesn't have that snap! I see a Robert Cray signature Stratocaster in my future and I'm blaming your video! :)

Great video Mike, you're absolutely right - Robert Cray is just so good and his albums have so many great tunes....thanks for the vid!!

I saw Robert Cray play last month at a small venue near me in Toronto. Amazing player.

Saw Robert Cray live at Park City in 1975. His style is so smooth and flowing. One of the best blues shows I ever saw. Right up there with Cream. (Yea I'm a ROG - really old guy) Outdoors in a biig tent, we were able to worm our way up to the stage and watched most of the show from about 10 ft away from him. He was like the pink bunny, just one great song after another. He broke a string and in the middle of the tune his tech came out and switched him over to another Strat without missing a note it seemed. 2 Sets of magic I will always remember. Got to see Taj Mahal the same year, daughter was 11 and took her to her first blues show.

My wife and I saw Robert Cray a few years ago at The Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia. Ultimate showman!

I’d love to see your old shred videos !

I saw Robert Cray a few years ago in a little theatre in Easton, MD. The Avalon. I had the worst seats in the house and I was in the 8th row. A great place to see a great concert.

It's great to see people just now discovering him. I saw Robert Cray at least 4 times live, always a memorable show. His guitar playing is classic blues with one of the most soulful voices around. I had several of his CDs and tried to learn some of his songs.

I love that Chicago Blues sound! I listen to his Greatest Hits album Heavy Picks a lot

love that tele

Wonderful video, homeboy. I just saw Robert last week. He’s currently on tour. If you have the chance, don’t miss him. Seen him about 10 times. He is The man!

Still have a cd of his I bought back in the 80’s called Strong Persuader and think this song your talking about is on it! Great album!

Good vid. I wore out multiple copies of Strong Persuader.

Thanks again, Mike. I'm going to go try to play like Robert Cray now... Also, his signature Strat is pretty cool too. Interesting specs and there's a Mexican version and a Custom Shop version. I put a Mexican Robert Cray neck on my partscaster and I love it.

Refreshing to see your appreciation for RC! He's def an underrated and unique player, been listening to him for years. Keep doing what u do!

You are right on!

I was lucky enough to see Robert Cray a few years ago. Just an amazing guitarist and singer, love his music!

very nice to mention Sir Al McKay! great guitarist!

Saw Robert Cray live. It was amazing. Will always remember that.

Mike! First of all, congratulations for your channel! I love it! Second, to me Robert Cray is the best! My favorte guitar player. Ive been to two of his concerts, and its just unbelievable and indescribable.

That song is my absolute favorite from him…. His live versions are just magnificent

After you talked a bit, I started to suspect you were going to say Robert Cray. Saw him warm up for Clapton in the eighties and he did Right Next Door. Definitely was great. Had a fresh, modern sound while also being a legit old -school blues tune. Thanks for a nice video

Agreed. I was looking for a Robert cray tab book but can’t find any.

Seen Robert Cray a few times in NYC and going to see him in 2 weeks again! Can't wait!

Great reflection!

I saw Robert Cray in Australia back in the early 90's when I was young (& him too) back in the "Don't be afraid of the Dark" era. He was awesome and he was flicking out his old plectrums across the audience heads like he was skimming stones across a lake. He is an awesome player

Great vid, you are of course, right.

100% correct !!! Great video !

Years ago I was introduced to the Robert Cray album Strong Persuader. Got hooked on his other music,I been a fan ever since then.He is such a tasteful musician that plays with flow.

Robert Cray is soooo good. I remember listening to his tracks on repeat while driving around in my car on smoke breaks back in the day. I tried to introduce his music to everyone I knew.

Old Love is such a great song. I wasn't familiar with that video of Clapton and Cray performing it on David Sanborn's show, so I had to watch it immediately after finishing this video.

Great breakdown of Robert Cray's style. And your tone is awesome.

Wow I just passed on one of his albums this weekend at this record store.... guess I'll be going back to pick it up lol

Robert Cray is great! I have seen him live a few times. He has such a unique sound, you know its him within 3 notes. His songs also have that same quality to them. Such power and feeling in his vocals, lead playing and even rhythm. 'Right next door' and 'I was warned' are two great places to start if you're not familiar.

since I listened Robert Cray for the first time back in 1990 He became undoubtedly one of my favorites all time!!! Very unique phrasing and style that is not other than RC.

Saw Robert Cray with Clapton a few years ago. Clapton's band was Doyle Bramhall II and Derek Trucks. All of them on stage together. Got to hear them play Old Love together. Been obsessed with that song, myself, since Unplugged.

First came across Robert Cray on the Friday Night Rock show on BBC Radio 1 with Tommy Vance. Loved him ever since.

Robert Cray is the full package as a great singer, guitarist, and songwriter. He had a few years there in the '80s and '90s where he was big, but unfortunately doesn't always get his due today, even though he still sounds amazing. In answer to your opening question though, my pick for the most underrated guitar player is Ronnie Earl, another amazing blues player who is beloved by blues fans but completely unknown outside the genre.

Mr Cray, such good memories growing up listening to and trying to emulate, alas I'm a lazy guitarist and learnt [Stairway] instead lolzz...great episode mate, 🍻

what string gauge do u run on that thing? Maybe its the camera lens but it looks like that low E string could support a 4 road way suspension bridge

He is awesome. I have a MIM Robert Cray strat. It is superb.

Subscribed, I really love Robert Crays music and playing. Got two LPs from him as well.

Nicely done! Cray is a guitar savage. The great guitarists know who the real dudes are and as you said you see them be their side at gigs like Crossroads.

I was playing a show in Connecticut 15-20 years ago, and we had time to kill so I took a walk. It was a beautiful summer evening and boom, Robert Cray playing a free show at a park. He was incredible. Fan ever since.

Loved the album "Showdown!" that he did with Albert Collins and Johnny Copeland!

It’s so cool to see Robert Cray getting some love here!😊

Alright Mike--getting into some Robert Cray! Wish I'd seen this earlier. I'd say pretty much all of us veteran guitarists know and totally appreciate how incredibly good Cray is! He knows all about taste and how to work with space-great unique phrasing. Plus he's got one wicked vibrato too! I go way back being a fan of his-try 1979! Used to see him and Curtis Salgado on harp/vocals and his crack band at a small club all the time. They were doing one nighters up and down the west coast back then. This was back when Robert was playing a 335 and it's funny to me now, it took me awhile to get used to him on a Strat. Now I can't even fathom him on anything but a hard tail Strat. His tone is outrageous isn't it? I used to get a kick out of his Silver Strat with the Vargas Girl on it. One of my treasured experiences was hanging out with him after hours having a beer, picking his brain about everything I could think of. He recommended Gatemouth Brown, Albert Collins and, of course the other Albert. What a gracious, cool dude too! What always struck me was how much class he has, great stage presence too and he is one amazing singer. We all knew he was going to be a star, it was just a matter of time. It was so cool to see his picture on the cover of Rolling Stone after "Smoking Gun" broke. There is a chord voicing that he used to play that I've always loved, it's an A9 and is distinctive. Maybe you know it, it's got a G in the bass--XX5425. the first three notes are played with the ring, middle and first finger with the pinky playing the A on the 5th fret. It's a bit of a stretch to play but has a better sound than a straight 9th chord. It goes well with 13th chords on the 4 and 5 or other 9ths too. One of my favorite tunes of his these days is "What You Need (Good Man)" off of his Time will Tell album. Superb lyrics. Killer singing and leads. Yes, Robert Cray IS very underrated by the general fans but us guitarists know who he is.

You make a great point. Cray was a huge star for a time -- one of the rare blues artists of the '80s you'd regularly hear on Top 40 radio. So he had his day. But why didn't it last? It's hard to say because you wouldn't expect that kind of artist to be able to maintain that level of popularity. So I guess we had to expect him to come back down to earth. But why isn't he remembered more favorably buy guitarists? That I don't know. He was unique, so a little less bluesy than most blues artists. Maybe that difference set him apart enough that people don't think of him when they think of bluesmen or guitar slingers. His playing was in service of his songs and not meant to show off or to generate amazement.

Love your videos and your enthusiasim, it's contagious. I never feel like Lindsey Buckingham ever is as high on the lists as I think he should be.

Hey Mike I love your videos

Nice vídeo thanks

So glad the you found out about Robert Cray. He is an amazing blues player to me. I feel like Buddy Guy is underrated