With 1986's STRONG PERSUADER, Robert Cray ascended to the blues ladder's highest rung. LIVE AT THE BBC documents Cray's BBC performances in the wake of that ascension, in the late-'80s/early-'90s. Performing material from his MIDNIGHT STROLL and DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK albums, Cray is at the peak of his powers as a soulful singer and crisp, biting, Albert Collins-influenced guitar soloist, as he leaps heartily into the emotionally complex, insidiously grooving tunes that helped cement his reputation as the king of contemporary blues.

Live at the BBC excerpts two performances by the Robert Cray Band at Hammersmith Odeon in 1988 and 1991, respectively. The Hammersmith shows were multi-night affairs -- in 1991 there were four -- from which the BBC assembled a pair of hour-long broadcasts. Unfortunately, this hastily issued, shoddily notated CD package gives only the dates of the original radio programs. There are no musician's credits whatsoever. The liner notes by Peter Doggett simply offer a thumbnail biography. Talk about how great Cray is -- continually cite Eric Clapton and Robert Christgau as proof -- and give the sketchiest of details about the actual shows. The first six cuts are the Cray band supporting Don't Be Afraid of the Dark. They perform three cuts from that album, and three from Cray's 1986 breakthrough Strong Persuader. These tracks are adequate with Cray in fine voice and playing plenty of guitar. That said, they all suffer form really dated keyboard sounds; the synths are especially cheesy. Faring better are the eight cuts form the 1991 shows of Cray touring in support of 1990s Midnight Stroll. The Memphis Horns were part of the group for these shows, and the fuller backing lends real electricity to these performances. The material is also better. Track seven is a smoking version of "Phone Booth" from 1983's Bad Influence. Midnight Stroll is represented by four cuts: "These Things," "My Problem," "The Forecast (Calls for Pain)," and "Consequences" -- all of which are exponentially better than the studio versions. The Memphis Horns add dynamic and texture, Cray's singing is full of grit and passion, his guitar playing is choppier and funkier, and the keyboards have been cut back to Hammond B-3 and piano. The final three cuts -- "Acting This Way," "Right Next Door (Because of Me)," and the smoking closer "Smoking Gun" are taken from Don't Be Afraid and Strong Persuader, respectively. They are fantastic show closers -- especially the final track which clocks in at just shy of seven minutes -- offering the sound of a much more seasoned and less studied show band. For Cray fans this will be a necessary addition to the shelf. Finally, Cray, who is a bona fide icon of modern blues, deserves far better treatment than this rather haphazard collection, as these were historic performances and defining moments of his career. ~ Thom Jurek

Alternative Press (p.89) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "The earlier selections, including the title track of DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK, showcase the style that got Cray noticed, while the remainder reflect a move towards a more soul-based approach..."

Down Beat (p.79) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "He riskily throws himself into 'These Things,' an inner power governing his emotions down to the smallest detail."