- Audio CD (May 24 2005)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: EMI Music Canada
- ASIN: B00097DXVW
- In-Print Editions: Audio CD
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #48,312 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product Details |
Track Listings
| 1. Poor Johnny |
| 2. That Ain’t Love |
| 3. Does It Really Matter |
| 4. Fadin’ Away |
| 5. My Last Regret |
| 6. It Doesn’t Show |
| 7. I’m Walkin’ |
| 8. Twenty |
| 9. I Know You Will |
| 10. I Forgot To Be Your Lover |
| 11. Two Steps From The End |
Product Description
From Amazon.com
With his chocolaty cool, soulful Memphis croon and sure sense of melody, Robert Cray has never been considered a straightahead bluesman. His often interchangeable albums have instead stayed closer to R&B, adding compact, stinging lead guitar to songs about matters of the heart. That formula remains, with minor variations, on Cray's 14th release, rather confusingly named Twenty. The title track, a gripping, emotional anti-war ballad of the experience of a GI in Iraq (that, incidentally, doesn't contain the word "twenty") shows the singer/songwriter shifting his emotionally charged storytelling lyrics to the political arena. It's a brief but confident detour from his usual M.O. of relationships on the brink of collapse or in general disrepair, typically related in the first person. Subtle yet effective forays into loungey jazz on "My Last Regret" and even reggae on the opening "Poor Johnny" indicate a healthy tendency to push his established envelope, if only gently, into other genres.
But Cray sticks to his established bread and butter for the majority of this sturdy album, effortlessly churning out shoulder-swaying, foot-tapping R&B accompanied by a clean, clear tenor voice and a road-hardened band that finesses these songs with the perfect combination of fire and ice. Old fans won't be disappointed, and newcomers can start here and work backwards. --Hal Horowitz
Album Description
The Robert Cray Band, on the heels of 1,000 live performances as a unit, have completed their album, "Twenty". The album combines the band's skills with legendary engineer Don Smith (The Rolling Stones, Buddy Guy, Ry Cooder, Miles Davis) to craft an intelligent, sophisticated and subtle CD that draws from a diverse pool of influences to create a signature sound while a varied menu of songs. "Twenty", like its predecessor "Time Will Tell", was co-produced by Cray along with Jim Pugh, his keyboardist of 16 years.
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another barely possible gem,
By
This review is from: Twenty (Audio CD)
With me, it's become a pattern. I get a Robert Cray CD. On the first listen, I'm thinking I'm not going to love this one as much as other RCB I've come to love. Just like when I first listened to Sweet Potato Pie or Shoulda Been Home, the tunes are too foreign somehow; some sound draggy, a few have some unfamiliar chord changes or "out" (jazzy) sounding chords or unusual stressed beats. Of course, there's always the plaintive singing, the distinctive guitar style and the tasty keyboard riffs, but does it all really work?The hesitancy persists for a few more listenings. There's a growing appreciation: a riff here, a phrase there becomes endearing. I'll warm up to one song, then another. More of these individual moments are revealed to me. I start to realize all these subtle sparks of originality. Eventually--and this can take ten spins--I'm craving my favourite grooves, solos, intros, flourishes, transitions. Once again I feel awe at beholding this remarkable artistic power. This is what music is supposed to be. The commitment to the song by the whole band, the sincerity, the smouldering intensity, the avoidance of the showy and the maudlin. Music that keeps getting better. Buy it, listen to it with patience, and relish it.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.1 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews) 16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Smooth Riding Robert Cray,
By K. L. Woomer - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Twenty (Audio CD)
Robert Cray hails from the BB King school of guitar playing.. and I have every single release from RC .. and they are restrained glory in every sense of the word. Then, suddenly in a song, he busts out with some very good guitar playing that catches you off guard.This particular recording is very complete, and very gospel sounding, in a lot of places.. but yet RC's voice is very gospel sounding in itself.. so I really think that is where a lot of the gospel comparisons come into the mix... and lets face it... a lot of guitar players play guitar and will sing as well.. but in RC's case.. his singing is as every bit of (dare I say even better) than his fantastic guitar ability. This can make for a very pleasureable experience. This cd does cut fray into the political arena, but robert sings like someone who means what he has to say and is not really trying to paint an overtly political statements... very heartfelt song. The guitar playing on this CD... there is as much guitar playing on this CD as one would like to hear. RC uses the guitar so much in phrases, and catches so much melody.. and when he does break out in solos, they mean something. I must admit, this RC cd is a lot better than his past couple... and they were good too, but this one is better. Enjoy, Have fun. 11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Average Robert Still Great,
By H. Tibbs "BT" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Twenty (Audio CD)
Like Van, or the Stones, Robert Cray has a formula that works for him. I am a huge fan and have been since day 1. I like the silky, smooth vocals and Stax/soul feel to his brand of blues. He does however need to branch out a little. Maybe back to some Chicago blues or swing a little but he has sounded a tad 'repeated' on the last few discs. I'd like to see his voice highlighted more (EX. "Don't Break This Ring"...from 'A Shame and a Sin', incredible) and his guitar work put to the forefront. Yes, a little repepitive but 'already done' Cray is better than most stuff out there. Love to hear a live album from him!! Check yourself back into the 'Done We Wrong' motel lyrically, leave the political musings to others. Don't get me wrong, a great disc, but no new charted waters musically.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The 'Soul Man' of blues is in fine form...,
By James Arria "authentic blues man" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Twenty (Audio CD)
I have every RC album and after just going out today and buying it and then playing it while I was cleaning my room this new album is one of my favorites.Cray and his crack band give this album an almost 'after hours' feel on several cuts (My Last Regret, Two Steps From The End). I also loved 'Poor Johnny' and 'Does It Really Matter'...both songs have a wonderful supple groove. Many tin eared critics knock Robert Cray for not 'sticking to the blues.' For this I scoff and ask you to take a closer listen. What Robert Cray proves with this record is that the blues can be shaped, bent, or turned inside out, and the feeling still remains. |
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