Robert Cray Remembers Tony Joe White in New Song ‘To Be With You’
Swampy blues-rock pioneer Tony Joe White was playing and creating right up until his unexpected death in 2018, sitting in with everyone from Foo Fighters to Robert Cray. The latter enlisted White for his 2017 album Robert Cray & Hi Rhythm, delivering fierce versions of White compositions “Aspen, Colorado” and “Don’t Steal My Love.” On his new album That’s What I Heard, Cray pays tribute to his old friend with the brand new song “To Be With You.”
It’s a heartfelt performance, with Cray’s gentle guitar work setting a reflective tone. “I would do everything for you/and if I could go anywhere/the place I’d be is right here with you,” he sings, before the ballad culminates in a heavens-reaching solo.
“I had the great pleasure to watch and to work with Tony Joe, and see and feel his soulfulness. He and his music are just so honest and heartfelt,” Cray says. “Once again through him, I’m reminded that one should get out of one’s own way when you write, or whatever you do. That’s what I dug about him.”
The multiple Grammy-winning Cray will release That’s What I Heard on February 28th via Nozzle Records. Steve Jordan, the drummer and member of Keith Richards’ X-Pensive Winos and the John Mayer Trio, produced the album.
Robert Cray’s tour dates:
January 17 — Baton Rouge, LA @ L’Auberge Casino & Hotel
January 18 — Mobile, AL Mobile @ Saenger Theatre
January 19 — Ponte Vedra Beach, FL @ Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
January 21 — Orlando, FL @ The Plaza Live
January 23 — Bonita Springs, FL @ Southwest Florida Event Center
January 24 — Fort Lauderdale, FL @ Parker Playhouse
January 25 — Clearwater, FL @ Capitol Theatre
February 28 — Charles Town, WV @ Hollywood Casino
February 29 — Glenside, PA @ Keswick Theatre
March 1 — Patchogue, NY @ Patchogue Theatre
March 3 — Brownfield, ME @ Stone Mountain Arts Center
March 5 — Plymouth, MA @ Plymouth Memorial Hall
March 6 — Burlington, VT @ Flynn Center
March 7 — Ridgefield, CT @ Ridgefield Playhouse
March 8 — Verona, NY @ Turning Stone Resort Casino
March 10 — Troy, NY @ Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
March 11 — Englewood, NJ @ Bergen Performing Arts Center
March 13 — Greenburg, PA @ Palace Theatre
March 14 — Kent, OH @ The Kent Stage
March 15 — Kalamazoo, MI @ Kalamazoo Theatre
March 17 — Madison, WI @ Barrymore Theatre
March 18 — Milwaukee, WI @ The Northern Lights Theatre
March 19 — Des Moines, IA @ Hoyt Sherman Place
March 20 — Skokie, IL @ North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
April 9 — San Juan Capistrano, CA @ The Coach House
April 10 — Scottsdale, AZ @ Talking Stick Casino
April 11 — Henderson, NV @ Henderson Bluesfest
April 15 — Livermore, CA @ Bankhead Theatre
April 16 — Sacramento, CA @ Crest Theatre
April 17 — Merced, CA @ The Art Kamangar Center
April 18 — Solvang, CA @ Solvang Festival