The Robert Cray Band - Cookin' In Mobile (2010)

Robert Cray’s been releasing live albums for the past few years in order to get the best of himself out there. In the studio, he’s always been the polite, well-mannered bluesman and here is where he loosens up and lets his spirit shine through — with a few memorable guitar solos for good measure. His band pushes him hard throughout Cookin’ In Mobile, a single show recorded in February 2010. Old hits such as “Right Next Door” and “Smoking Gun” are attacked with a new, vital groove, sounding deeper and more committed than ever. “Whole Lotta Love” is sweet and soulful, proving Cray is also a top-flight soul crooner when the moment calls for it. The old blues classic “Sitting On Top of the World” adds more sensual grinding to the mix. “I Can’t Fail” allows the swelling organ to embrace Cray’s emotive tongue. Despite all the Cray live albums to choose from, this might be the best of the lot.