Robert Cray, legendary blues guitarist to release new LP "In My Soul"

Legendary guitar musician and singer-songwriter Robert Cray releases "In My Soul" in the UK on March 31, 2014 on the Provogue label. This will be the seventeenth studio album for the 5x Grammy winner, 15x Grammy nominee and multi-platinum selling artist.
The release of the album will be followed by an extensive UK and European tour that kicks off at the Anvil in Basingstoke, UK on May 2nd.

Produced by American multi-instrumentalist, composer, musical director, Grammy Award-winning artist and longtime Cray friend Steve Jordan (John Mayer, Keith Richards), "In My Soul" captures Cray at his finest with an outstanding 10 song collection of Stax and Chess influenced soul and blues that showcases his trademark guitar playing and his extraordinary vocals. A bonus track "Pillow" is also be included on the limited edition CD.
From the driving original classic Cray "You Move Me" with its scorching guitar leads, to the melodic 60’s sway of "Fine Yesterday" featuring Cray’s trademark soul drenched vocals, "In My Soul" draws listeners in very quickly.
Recorded at Santa Barbara Sound and engineered by Niko Bolas, "In My Soul" features the Otis Redding cover "Nobody’s Fault But My Own" that finds Cray trading vocals with drummer Les Falconer and features a punchy horn ensemble and catchy guitar verse.

Photo Credit: © Jeff Katz

The moving Cray penned "What Would You Say" pierced with his unique guitars licks, has Cray dreaming about a better world and in traditional Cray fashion asking listeners, "What would you say if we quit waging war, children felt safe to sleep. One of these days we may all learn to talk over a table with something to eat. What would you say? Can we do that? What would you say?"
Longtime band mate Richard Cousins co-wrote the Booker T homage, an instrumental entitled "Hip Tight Onions" as well as the poignant 70’s tinged "Hold On" that talks about relationship perseverance during difficult times. Cries of lost love are told in both "Pillow", the haunting bonus track co-written by Cray and Jerry Friedman as well as "I Guess I’ll Never Know"  - a funky hard driven tune co-written by Falconer.

Photo Credit: © Jeff Katz

The album also features a version of "Deep In My Soul" a staple in the set list of the great soul and blues singer Bobby Blue Bland as well as a version of the Isaac Hayes / David Porter cover "Your Good Thing (Is About to End)" first recorded by Motown’s Mable John in 1966 and then became a hit single for Lou Rawls in 1969.
New Yorker Magazine (Sept 2013) calls Cray "One of the most reliable pleasures of soul and blues for over three decades now… "and Rolling Stone Magazine (4/2012) credited Cray’s "Strong Persuader" album to having reinvented the blues with his "distinct razor sharp guitar playing" that "introduced a new generation of mainstream rock fans to the language and form of the blues."

Photo Credit: © Jeff Katz

Robert Cray has written or performed with everyone from Eric Clapton to Stevie Ray Vaughan, from Bonnie Raitt to John Lee Hooker.  Inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame at the age of 57, he is one of the youngest living legends to receive the prestigious honour. With over 12 million records sold and his own line of Fender guitars, Cray has established himself as a genre defining artist- breaking through the pop ceiling with his gate crashing/blues-edged trademark sound and distinct style that has become a signature blend of R&B, pop, rock, soul and traditional blues. 
The New York Times says, "His voice, alternately smooth and craggy, is often richer and more emotive than Mr. Clapton’s, and he knows the best ways to use it," while Guitar Player Magazine noted, "Robert Cray is not only making great music, he's making history."

24 Hour Ticket Hotline - Ticketmaster 0844 844 0444
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The Anvil, Basingstoke
Friday 2nd May 2014
Box Office: 01256 844 244
Book Online: www.anvilarts.org.uk

Cheltenham Jazz Festival
Saturday 3rd May 2014
Box Office: 0844 880 8094
Book Online: www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz

Birmingham Town Hall
Monday 5th May
Box Office: 0121 345 0600
Book Online: www.thsh.co.uk

London Barbican
Tuesday 6th May
020 7638 8891
Book Online: www.barbican.org.uk

Harrogate Royal Hall
Thursday 8th May
Box Office: 01423 502 116
Book Online: www.royalhall.co.uk

Gateshead, The Sage
Friday 9th May
Box Office: 0191 443 4661
Book Online: www.sagegateshead.com

Cambridge Corn Exchange
Saturday 10th May
Box Office: 01223 357 851
Book Online: www.cornex.co.uk

Norwich Theatre Royal
Sunday 11th May
Box Office: 01603 630 000
Book Online: https://secure.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk/Online

Tunbridge Wells, Assembly Hall Theatre
Tuesday 13th May
Box Office: 01892 530 613
Book Online: www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

Cardiff St. David’s Hall
Wednesday 14th May
Box Office: 02920 878 444
Book Online: www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

Manchester Bridgewater Hall
Friday 16th May
Box Office: 0844 907 9000
Book Online: www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk

Edinburgh Queen’s Hall
Saturday 17th May
Box Office: 0131 668 2019
Book Online:www.thequeenshall.net

Guildford G-Live
Sunday 18th May
Box Office: 0844 7701 797
Book Online: www.glive.co.uk/Online

Photo Credit: © Jeff Katz

Robert Cray – Official Website
www.robertcray.com

Robert Cray – Official Facebook
www.facebook.com/robertcraymusic

Mascot Label Group – Official Website
www.mascotlabelgroup.com