Personnel: Robert Cray; Jim Pugh, Karl Sevareid, Kevin Hayes.

Recording information: 2006.

Robert Cray has been quietly turning out consistently solid blues efforts since 1980, and 2006's two-CD set LIVE FROM ACROSS THE POND shows that Cray's brand of smooth, accessible blues has only improved over the years. Cray has a soft spot for the sound of 1960s R&B, a fondness reflected brilliantly in his sharp, tuneful songwriting and deeply soulful singing. Many of these songs wouldn't sound out of place on a Stax/Volt platter circa 1968, but Cray's flawless guitar technique keeps things rooted in the tradition of electric blues. Packed with great tunes and solos, LIVE should please fans of Cray and electric blues in general.

Down Beat (p.65) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "Giving it his all, Cray discovers new wrinkles on lust or forlorn love in old standbys as well as recent songs."