SUMMER PREVIEW: MUSIC – Moving Forward

Bluesman Robert Cray brings his band to McCarter Theatre in Princeton.

By: Matt Smith

Robert Cray

   This year marks the 30th anniversary of the first incarnation
of Robert Cray’s eponymous band, which the singer-guitarist formed in Eugene,
Ore., in 1974. There’s a touch of amazement in Mr. Cray’s voice when he considers
this career milestone.
   "I just got off the phone less than an hour ago with Richard
Cousins, who was in the original band," he says, calling from his Los Angeles
home. "I’m 50 now, and I was 20 — no I wasn’t yet 20 — when I started."
   Three decades later, the Robert Cray Band continues to bridge
the worlds of blues and pop, with a line-up that includes drummer Kevin Hayes,
keyboardist Jim Pugh and bassist Karl Sevareid. It is a crackerjack unit, led
by Mr. Cray, a five-time Grammy Award-winner known for adventurous guitar work,
rich songwriting and an earnest, melt-in-your-ears voice.
   The hard-touring Robert Cray Band will hit McCarter Theatre
in Princeton June 15, just one of many dates on a busy summer itinerary that
includes a stint with blues legend Buddy Guy in August. The group is continuing
to tour behind its wide-ranging 2003 release, Time Will Tell (Sanctuary).
   "I’d rather go out and work," says Mr. Cray. "Making records
is a temporary thing. You make a record in a month or so and that’s it. The
way things are, unless you’re a superstar, you can’t really make a living off
selling records."
   Firmly entrenched in middle age, Mr. Cray has gained some
wisdom about life on the road. When it comes to preserving his voice for concerts,
however, his tight-lipped personality is a greater asset than, say, foul-tasting
herbal brews or $20-a-bottle spring water.
   "You learn how to use (your voice) and you learn how to be
careful and pace yourself, that kind of stuff," he says. "But oh no, I’m not
that way. I don’t talk that much anyway."
   As with his previous efforts, including the 1986 breakthrough
Strong Persuader, Mr. Cray goes beyond clichéd blues riffs and
"my baby done left me" lyrics on Time Will Tell, which he co-produced
with Mr. Pugh. Musically, the 10-song set borrows from folk, jazz, rock, even
Brazilian music. Lyrically, it addresses life in a post-9/11 world.
   "It was unavoidable," says Mr. Cray, taking on a broadcaster’s
voice: "’Weapons of mass destruction,’ ‘Weapons of mass destruction.’
   "OK, you’re sitting there and you’re writing, and all of a
sudden you go, ‘I’m pissed off about what’s going on,’ and then all of sudden
your pen just takes control of itself. It was the same thing for Jim Pugh when
he wrote (the politically charged) ‘Distant Shore.’ He wrote that, showed up
at rehearsals, and we both had these songs about current events."
   As with other established artists, Mr. Cray is no stranger
to the record-company shuffle. The bulk of Time Will Tell was recorded
before he signed with Sanctuary, allowing him an added level of freedom in the
studio.
   "It was before we had signed any deal with a new record company
after leaving, I forget their name, Rykodisc," he says. "We basically do what
we want anyway, but we didn’t have anybody coming in to check up on us while
we were recording the basics. By the time we had decided on a record company
and were doing mixing, then somebody came in from the record company to see
what it was like, but we had already gotten everything done by that point…
(It was too late) to say, ‘Do a duet with Britney.’"
   If you catch the Robert Cray Band this summer, don’t expect
any surprise appearances by pop divas, or songs Mr. Cray intends for his next
CD, although he is set to enter the studio at the end of the year.
   "I’ve never been into that," he says. "People have made the
suggestion, but I’m not going to try out a new song before an audience. What
am I going to test to see if they like it before we put it out? It’s not like
that talent show on TV, whatever it’s called, with the kids coming up and singing
in front of that Simon Cowell guy."
   Mr. Cray has played with many of his musical idols, American
and otherwise, collaborating with the likes of John Lee Hooker, Albert King
and the "King of the Blues" himself, B.B. King. Next month, he will meet up
with another guitar god, Eric Clapton, for the Crossroads Guitar Festival in
Texas.
   "Eric’s a great guy," says Mr. Cray. "He’s really down to
earth, a good guy. He’s a friend. He can walk into the room wearing T-shirts
and jeans and you can sit and have a cup of coffee and talk."
   Lately, he’s been listening to the great Robert Johnson in
preparation for Crossroads, as Clapton’s latest album features songs by the
late blues great. Mr. Cray has also been spinning old records by Bobby "Blue"
Bland, another of the blues artists he admires.
   "There are so many that are here now and that have been around
that are still the people that I aspire to be like," he says, "but there’s just
so many. There are so many different guitar players and so many different things
to say. It’s the same way, not just with guitar players, but all kinds of other
instruments that I like to listen to for inspiration, as well."
   While Mr. Cray’s past successes are impressive, he rarely
stops to pat himself on the back. There are too many albums to record and gigs
to play before he meets the great bluesman in the sky.
   "You’ve gotta keep moving forward," he says. "Every once in
a while you might think of it, but it’s like, ‘So, what about now? When was
the last time you won a Grammy? When was the last time you sold a million records?’
It’s an ongoing thing. Once you die, they grieve you for a little bit, and then
they’ve forgotten about you."
The Robert Cray Band will perform at McCarter Theatre, 91 University Place,
Princeton, June 15, 8 p.m. Tickets cost $32-$42. For information, call (609)
258-2787. On the Web: www.mccarter.org.
Robert Cray Band on the Web: www.robertcray.com.

Singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco headlines the Apple Farm Arts and Music Festival in Elmer June 5.

SUMMER PREVIEW: MUSIC
Appel Farm
457 Shirley Road
Elmer
(800) 394-1211
www.appelfarm.org
Arts and Music Festival featuring Ani DiFranco, Jonatha Brooke, Shawn Colvin,
Lizz Wright, Erin McKeown, Los Lonely Boys, John Hammond, Tempest, Ember Swift,
The Kennedys, Slo-Mo, Stargazer Lily, June 5.
Babbage Park
North Brunswick
(732) 247-0922, ext. 475
Summer Concert Series: Wednesdays July 7-Aug. 25.
Continental Airlines Arena
Route 3 East
East Rutherford
(201) 935-3900

www.meadowlands.com
Richard Nader’s Doo Wop Reunion, June 19; Van Halen, Silvertide, June
22-23; Madonna, July 7-8; Prince, July 16, 18; Hilary Duff,
July 25; Sarah McLachlan, Butterfly Boucher, Aug. 9; "American
Idols Live," Aug. 29.
Crossroads Theatre
7 Livingston Ave.
New Brunswick
(732) 246-7469
www.statetheatrenj.org
Reggae Festival featuring Yami Bolo, June 5.
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Park Avenue
Madison
(732) 271-7721
www.njjs.org
New Jersey Jazz Society Jazzfest 2004, June 12-13.
Giants Stadium
Route 3 East
East Rutherford
(201) 935-3900
www.meadowlands.com
"Hot 97 Summer Jam," June 12.
Grounds for Sculpture
18 Fairgrounds Road
Hamilton
(609) 586-0616
www.groundsforsculpture.org

Time for Three, June 20; Modern Man, Deirdre Flint, July 24; Jonathan
Edwards, Aug. 7.
Mason Gross School of the Arts
Bettenbender Plaza/Nicholas Music Center
85 George St.
New Brunswick
(732) 932-7511
www.masongross.rutgers.edu
Rutgers Jazz Quintet, July 7 (BP); Rutgers Jazz Faculty Ensemble, July
10 (BP); Metropolitan Klezmer, July 17 (NMC); Rutgers Percussion
Ensemble, July 21 (BP).
Old Bridge Township Raceway Park
230 Pension Road
Englishtown
(732) 446-7800
www.concertseast.com
"Vans Warped Tour," Aug. 8.
PNC Bank Arts Center
Garden State Parkway
Holmdel
(732) 335-0400
www.artscenter.com
Fleetwood Mac, May 29; No Doubt, Blink-182, June 3-4; David Bowie,
June 5; Kid Rock, Puddle of Mudd, June 12; The Moody Blues, June
13; Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, June 20; Chicago, Earth, Wind & Fire,
June 25; "Honda Civic Tour" featuring Dashboard Confessional, June
26; The Lettermen, June 28; Manhattan Transfer, June 29; Diana
Krall, July 2; Sting, Annie Lennox, July 7; Michael McDonald,
Hall & Oates, Average White Band, July 9; "Weird Al" Yankovic, July
11; Britney Spears, July 13; 3 Doors Down, Nickelback, July 14;
"Ozzfest," July 16; Alanis Morissette, Barenaked Ladies, July 17;
KISS, Poison, July 20; Rod Stewart, July 21; 311, The Roots, Medeski,
Martin & Wood, July 24; "Projekt Revolution," July 30; Josh
Groban, July 31; Cyndi Lauper, Aug. 4; Bryan Adams, Aug. 6;
O.A.R., Howie Day, Matt Nathanson, Aug. 7; Crosby, Stills & Nash,
Aug. 9; The Dead, Robert Hunter, Aug. 10-11; Rush, Aug. 18;
John Mayer, Maroon 5, DJ Logic, Aug. 17; Deep Purple, Thin Lizzy, Joe
Satriani, Aug. 18; KTU Beatstock, Aug. 21; The Allman Brothers
Band, Aug. 25; Toby Keith, Sept. 4; Norah Jones, Sept. 5.
Princeton Shopping Center
301 N. Harrison St.
Princeton
(609) 921-6234
www.shoppingprinceton.com
Summer Concert Series: Thursdays June 3-July 29; Saturdays June 5-26.
Six Flags Great Adventure
Route 537 West
Jackson
(732) 928-1821

www.sixflagsnewjersey.com


Lonestar, May 29; REO Speedwagon, May 30; The Calling, June
11; "Christian Youth Explosion," June 18; Ashanti, June 19;
"Gospel Fest," June 26; The Charlie Daniels Band, July 4; "Sean
Hannity Freedom Concert," July 8; Diamond Rio, Aug. 7; "Rejoice!
Christian Music Festival," Sept. 4.
Solberg Airport
Thor Solberg Road
Readington
(800) 468-2479
www.balloonfestival.com
Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning featuring Herman’s Hermits, Grand
Funk Railroad, The Nerds, July 23-25.
Sovereign Bank Arena
550 S. Broad St.
Trenton
(609) 656-3200
www.sovereignbankarena.com

Journey, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, July 20.
Stone Pony and Stony Pony Parking Lot
913 Ocean Ave., between First and Second avenues
Asbury Park
(732) 502-0600
www.stoneponyonline.com

www.thegreatbamboozle.com
"The Great Bamboozle" featuring Sonic Youth, moe., G. Love & Special Sauce,
Patti Smith, Galactic, My Morning Jacket and many more June 4-6.
Starland Ballroom
570 Jernee Mill Road
Sayreville
(732) 238-5500
www.starlandballroom.com
GWAR, May 28; From Autumn to Ashes, Atreyu, May 29; Matchbook
Romance, June 4; Midtown, June 5; Braid, June 7; My Chemical
Romance, June 11; Shinedown, Smile Empty Soul, June 13; Iced Earth,
June 14; Hootie & The Blowfish, June 15; The Indigo Girls,
June 17; Fall Out Boy, June 18; Melissa Etheridge, June 23;
Reel Big Fish, June 25; Ben Folds, Guster, Rufus Wainwright, July
5; Sebastian Bach, July 16; Johnny Winter, July 23; W.A.S.P.,
July 31; Dickey Betts & Great Southern, Aug. 6.
Terhune Orchards
330 Cold Soil Road
Princeton
www.cafeannick.com/2004festival.html
2004 New Jersey Independent Music & Arts Festival, June 27.
Third Reformed Church
10 W. Somerset
Raritan
(908) 722-1287
www.cruisenights.org
Cruisin’ Raritan Wednesday Nites concert series: Jim Barone, "the Best of Elvis,"
June 2; Keith Wilson & JT The Quicker Picker, June 9; Allan
Willcockson, June 23; Jason Wilber, Keith Wilson & JT The Quicker
Picker, June 30; Dave Kleiner & Liz Pagan, July 7; Carnaby
Street, July 14; Tom Klimchock, July 21; Tom & Marianne Tucker,
July 28; Harpdawg Tony Sky, Aug. 4; Mary’s Thorn, Aug. 11;
Constantine the Magician, Big Jeff and His Medium-Sized Band, Aug. 18;
TBA, Aug. 25; Plum Run Bluegrass Band, Sept. 1.
Tweeter Center at the Waterfront
1 Harbour Blvd.
Camden
(856) 365-1300
www.tweetercenter.com
Fleetwood Mac, June 3; Reba McEntire, June 5; No Doubt, Blink-182,
June 6; Y100 FEZtival, June 18; Tim McGraw, June 24; Sting,
Annie Lennox, June 27; Jimmy Buffett, June 29; Chicago, Earth,
Wind & Fire, July 2; Jessica Simpson, July 4; Britney Spears,
July 12; KISS, Poison, July 13; Michael McDonald, Hall & Oates,
Average White Band, July 16; Puddle of Mudd, July 17; Dave Matthews
Band, N.E.R.D., July 20-21; Josh Groban, July 25; "Projekt Revolution,"
Aug. 3; Rush, Aug. 4; "Vans Warped Tour," Aug. 6; The Dead,
Robert Hunter, Aug. 7-8; Phish, Aug. 12; John Mayer, Maroon 5,
DJ Logic, Aug. 14; "Lollapalooza," Aug. 18-19; "Ozzfest," Aug.
26.