3 Robert Cray Licks From 1986

[@PawpawJamz]

One of the most overlooked guitarists. Killer player, singer/songwriter.

[@seanmiller7889]

Couldn't agree more!

[@jar4584]

Don't forget he's got a great voice also

[@RenoConley]

No distortion or effects, just pure feeling touch, tone and plucky tension and passion. Everyone sleeps on him…. He’s the truth. Who’s been talking is a joy to listen to. Salute RC!!!

[@Anywherestudios]

Thanks so much! I had already been playing a few years when I was gifted by my brother the brand new "Strong Persuader" CD, among my first few CD's in the 80's! I Immediately was drawn in by his playing... especially that double note thing he does. Very unique and like you say, not really over-driven too much... just tickle the edge. Love it. I always find it very interesting to hear the virtually perfectly copied licks (or something like that lol) by you in context when you finally play the clip. Right? It just becomes something totally different in context. That might be the best lesson of all. It's not necessarily the run or lick, but where it lands, with soul. What beautiful videos... I personally appreciate your time and effort to make these, and update the background album... editing... it's a lot of work. I've been a subscriber and start to end video viewer for a long time. I really enjoy your ability to break things down and I always learn something. I appreciate you. You can see my 1987 live debut on my channel somewhere, Jefferson High School - Masque. I'm on the strat my mom got me 1985 Christmas. You can see more recent stuff under BluesGate Jams folder... I'm Milkfoot and did the video work. Nice to say hey!

[@brandonterzic]

he was bigger influence on me than SRV, and that is saying something. His phrasing is unique and he has a fresh approach.

[@mattmacarthur520]

Awesome player and great lesson David !! I saw him in a small theatre in Bismarck , North Dakota and he was absolutely incredible! Would love to see a mark Kendall 3 for all or chord play he’s such an underrated and incredible blues rock player

[@zxcvbqm]

3:52 - 1st lick 6:14 - 2nd lick 8:00 - 3rd lick

[@moreykanner4781]

Robert is overlooked for his dynamic rhythm playing.....sings like Al Green and is a blues icon. Wow...Seeetist man you will ever meet....excellent video

[@dougstubbs4351]

What up man hope 2023 is going well so far. Can't wait to check this lesson out. He has a very unique touch with the guitar 🎸. Now I have to check I think I remember you doing a Albert Collins video. Take care man. Until next lesson ✌️🕊️ peace ☮️✌️

[@seanmiller7889]

Robert Cray! No shit! David you are amazing!!! I've been a huge fan of Robert's for a long time. His lyrics are also amazing.

[@mistreated]

Thanks for this one. I love Cray! I'm flying to Phoenix next Friday to see him. I also have TWO of his signature Strats. They're great, chimey guitars. Unlike my LP's, lol

[@mrr5835]

I listen to a lot of Heavy Metal but was lucky enough to have my Dad expose me to lots of blues and jazz when I was young and Strong Pursuader is one of all time fav albums. Great vid and guitar tone!

[@piperofsimms]

Way back when, I heard Smoking Gun. It was so damn cool. I ran out to buy Strong Persuader. Thx David, those biting, slick licks made my day.

[@davidsmith6976]

Robert doesnt get enough airplay ,he has such a great voice ,too,good to see him featured here,peace.

[@dlsmpsn]

Shout Out for the Jeff Beck picture on the wall. Well done!

[@STAMPER-DESIGN]

Great lesson, thanks!

[@esteban1487]

Won't Be Coming Home is a great song.

[@CitizenofMelee]

Great to see Robert get some love. I've been a fan for a long time.

[@johnnyd63]

I always.liked Cray..I remember all blues based guitarists in the 80s were just aping SRV and Texas blues.Cray went a different route with a hardtail Stratocaster and a clean tone. More Albert Collins than Vaughan which was refreshing.

[@markkasick]

Showdown is a KILLER album and Strong Persuader is great all the way thru. Terrific lyrically too.

[@PonziZombieKiller]

10-4 man caught him in Memphis in mid 80's smooth ckean but cold blues 🚬🐇

[@bustercrack788]

My misses and I went to see Mr Cray and his band at Sheffield City Hall in the 80’s. One of his entourage invited the misses backstage for a knees up ( well it was the 80’s) Sadly the invite did not extend as far as me . She declined and we are still together but I can’t listen to Don’t be afraid of the Dark without being teased about it by the good lady. The cheek of the man 😂

[@stuartmiller7419]

I've seen Robert many times and in many different places. He always delights and always adds something new on each occasion. He's pure class and he and his band are always so tight together.

[@uncleremus5046]

Uncle Bob cooler than the other side of the pillow! Great Lesson 🍺’ski.

[@jd3410]

Thanks for the lesson. I spent many hours listening to Robert Cray's music in the 80s...great song writer!

[@user-sn3cs2hd8r]

I don’t understand why there is so little on his playing on YT - huge influence on my playing and a legend - I have seen and met him a few times. More please!!! And thank you

[@greg77hot]

Blues royalty.. Great lesson Daivid

[@whiskeywhiskeyromeo3730]

Dude kills live......incredible!!

[@maplechill75]

Strong Persuader is one of the best blues albums I’ve ever heard. Great songs! 👌

[@czguy3045]

Not a huge blues guy but I've always liked Cray. I definitely feel he is pretty underrated. I was also at that show at The Vogue. Three of my four partscasters which are my main guitars have Cray signature necks. Good video.

[@jamessator5564]

My guitar is gonna get a work out tonight!!! Great lesson!!

[@robertbernas1104]

So true - it can be tough to squeeze out dynamics in playing with Robert’s clean tone…yet another great expressive player🤙

[@Jasonfurrofficial]

Great lesson, Dave! I had the pleasure of doing some guitar tech work for Robert Cray when he played the Lyric Theater in Lexington, KY, in 2019. He brought eleven of his signature hardtail strats and a bunch of Matchless amps. Robert himself was really nice, but his manager was terrible to the volunteers we had working the show! Robert is still riding the Strong Persuader album, which had some nice jams.

[@eddaymusic]

Love this episode. Many thanks 👍

[@julianschulz1620]

Always loved Cray, felt like he deserved more appreciation. Showdown is also a killer showcase album for those three blues greats!

[@newriver25901]

Robert Cray is still on my bucket list. He is one, I haven't got to see love yet. Awesome lesson. Thanks

[@fantinijacques]

Excellent lesson! Robert Cray is a master 🎸 I was warned final solo...

[@daveg5857]

Oh, I love Robert Cray! I have at least 7 of his albums. And you're decoding his guitar playing. Thank you!

[@sixstringer3783]

Robert is such a great bluesman I got into him on Strong Persueder love the track I guess I showed her another thing about Robert is he's a great vocalist his cleanish Strat tones are some of the best in the business 👏🤘👍

[@paultownsend6043]

That Album he did with Johhny Copeland and Albert Collins is a great album. Robert truely has his own thing going on with his playing.

[@tomcox875]

Amazing live. Clean, pure tone and incredible voice. Top 10 live shows in a very small venue.

[@tallpaul1020]

Robert just came through our area but I got stuck at work!!! Hope he comes back soon. Great lesson Dave. Keep up the great work 🎸

[@EarthAltar]

He played Sunfest here in West Palm Beach around '86 or '87. Great show. Every note a gem.

[@stratcat9432]

I attended that festival also. Robert Cray and band were a highlight. Also saw Robben Ford kill it also at one of the Sunfests.

[@BradRocker]

Keep um rollin brother. ....and don't forget RAMJAM

[@thejamnasium6447]

great subject for a lesson.

[@frankenstein4106]

Showdown is a phenomenal blues album, highly recommend! Strong Persuader is a classic. Thanks for some smokin' blues licks! Another great blues album collaboration is Left Hand Brand from the Gales Brothers (Eric, Eugene and Manuel), simply amazing!!

[@Tomsdrawings]

Thank you David! Thank you so much. This video was a great practice inspiration.

[@hitju10]

amazing video! Fun to try on my new Robert Cray signaure guitar.

[@johnbigglesfriend1289]

Another winner

[@DjangoThunders]

First let me say I love your channel and you do excellent work. As a long time blues rocker myself I have been searching for the most elusive tone in the blues. The Hubert Sumlin tone. Mr. Cray probably comes closest to that sound. When it comes to the blues, tone is king. Pardon the pun. There are a million blues players that all "sound" the same. But BB is as far away from Albert in tone, than you could be. And when you hear one note from Mr. Collins, you know who it is. I digress. Peace!

[@simonvanderheijden432]

Awesome!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@MattLewisGuitar]

Your an awesome teacher and player dude!!

[@slapwagon]

you're on a roll Dave! would love to see your take on John Squire sometime (Stone Roses, The Seahorses)

[@jessejacobs3792]

hes on tour and coming around keep your ears on!

[@dougstubbs4351]

Wow man you have his quacky tone and sound down really well

[@babylemonade2868]

I remember when strong persuader came out. Robert doesn’t waste a note and I’m sure Stevie breaking through with couldn’t stand the weather a couple of years before helped Robert too. Blues guitar wasn’t mainstream back then. Nice one Dave

[@blindpink]

Top stuff...Love the Cray tone....Knopfler esq......with distortion everything seems a lot easier.

[@brianmcdermott281]

Nice lesson, hey Dave I’d love if you did another page 3 for all but focusing on his earlier live playing (71-73

[@patrickkish6662]

Good gravy, David. Is there anyone's vibrato you can't do? Haha! Play on, brother. Play on 🤙🏼

[@ivancheneau]

He plays mostly right over the middle pickup very hard mostly pushing the strings downwards !

[@muskymike1885]

good video

[@BrunoXRPMania]

Saw him in a tiny club in Boston in the 80’s

[@aharkness5657]

That's strange. I just watched Animal House since I'd never seen it before. Didn't recognize Robert Cray of course.

[@robertdyer8517]

BOUT TIME !!!!!!!!!!!

[@jordans358]

Fantastic episode as always! Any chance we could also get a chordplay episode for Robert Cray? His voicings are as smooth as his leads. 😎

[@jdtorian]

One of my BFFs always used ask why he didn’t have a record called Cray-Cray

[@stratcat9432]

My absolute all time favorite live performances by Robert is his utter destruction of the song "Old Love" playing with Eric Clapton and Hiram Bullock on the amazing series that David Sanborn hosted back in the '90s . It was called "Night Music" He dusted Eric's tired same ol' Eric soloing imo.

[@RogerThat902]

Anyone know the “playing with feel” series he refers to? Is there a playlist to go w/?

[@bcancun123]

🔥🔥🔥🔥👏🏾

[@johnc.mitchelljr.2716]

👍

[@barryhaynes103]

I’m of the opinion Steve Vai doesn’t have any real feel to his playing