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Larry McCray Band: Hodi’s Half Note, Fort Collins, CO, 5/16/07 |
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Written by Glenn BurnSilver
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Friday, 25 May 2007 |
Within the first few songs it was clear two different factions had come to see Larry McCray—those who wanted to check out the latest guitarist to join Phil and Friends, identified by their baggy clothes, dreadlocks and ability to dance through searing solos, and those who came to see Larry McCray the blues giant, who stood in awe, arms crossed, soaking up those same solos. Both sides came away satisfied
With his regular four-piece touring band, McCray focused on his brand of loud, gritty and biting Chicago blues, while rolling out classic blues material and tracks from his seven albums, including “No More” and “Real Mother for You” from his most recent release, Larry McCray.
What perhaps attracted Lesh in the first place is McCray’s subtle use of southern boogie rhythms and patterns in his blues à la The Allman Brothers or Gov’t Mule. More than once he seemed on the verge of breaking into “Whipping Post,” but never really entertained the thought. Though he did perform Warren Haynes’ “Soulshine,” it just felt like he was driving south more than once. Instead, the evening focused on McCray’s hard-rocking style. But whether tearing into an Albert Collins number with double-finger note bends, going “Shaft” with some wild wah-wah action (and he really got good use out of his pedal all night) or singing like a young Freddie King, McCray’s blues remained completely individual.
When he wasn’t bemoaning bad women, broke-down cars, money woes or perpetual heartbreak, his songs were marked with long, driving solos broken up with the occasional glory shots for his organist—who was generally lost in the mix most of the night—and bassist, who was laid-back yet thunderous at exactly the right instant. The drummer got his best solo at the mic, singing one of the evening’s final numbers.
As for the crowd, many certainly had to wonder how well he actually fit in with Phil Lesh and what direction he may have coerced the band, while others could only wonder how, with 40 years of performance experience, Larry McCray had flown under the radar so long.
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