Let The Day Begin...Let The Day Start!: Day 221 The Robert Cray Band

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark - The Robert Cray Band

Mercury/Hightone

Produced by Bruce Bromberg and Dennis Walker

Released 8th August 1988

US Chart #32

UK Chart #13

01 - Don't Be Afraid of the Dark
02 - Don't You Even Care
03 - Your Secret's Safe with Me
04 - I Can't Go Home
05 - Night Patrol
06 - Acting This Way
07 - Gotta Change the Rules
08 - Across the Line
09 - At Last
10 - Laugh Out Loud

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Let's kick off the working week with a little Blues from Mr Robert Cray.

The Robert Cray Band had formed in the 1970's in Eugene, Oregon and after years of regional success he signed with Mercury Records and the baby faced Bluesman had some moderate success with his first few albums: Bad Influence (1983 US #143) and False Accusations (1985 US #141, UK #68). He is a vital cog in the wheel of a resurgence of the Blues as he demonstrated by a growing fan base as he played live. He showed that even young guys can play the Blues.

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark was the follow-up to the breakout album Strong Persuader (1986). Whilst in the States it didn't really continue the mainstream success of the previous record it did manage to sell enough to hang around the charts for 60 weeks. In the UK though it was a different matter as the album was (and is) the highest placed of his career, peaking at #13.

Whilst I do have a lot of affection for Strong Persuader it's Don't Be Afraid of the Dark that's probably my favourite. 

In his Sixties now, Robert Cray continues to play and record and in 2011 was elected into the Blues Hall of Fame.

Let The Day Begin...Let The Day Start!