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Robert Cray set to drop new album, launch tour with John Hiatt
Bluesman Robert Cray releases his 13th studio album on Tuesday (7/1), and supports the set with a lengthy road trip featuring many co-headlining dates with John Hiatt and the Goners.
Cray and Hiatt kick off their joint tour on July 25, and dates stretch into mid October. Before hooking up with Hiatt, Cray will complete an already-in-progress headlining outing of his own, and has also tucked some additional headlining dates in between shows with Hiatt.
Titled "Time Will Tell," Cray's latest studio set is his first release on Sanctuary Records. The collection includes the single "Back Door Slam," which Robert Cray Band drummer Kevin Hayes wrote with his sister, Bonnie Hayes, who is known for her work with Bonnie Raitt on releases such as "Have a Heart" and "Love Letter."
Cray co-produced "Time Will Tell" with his longtime keyboardist Jim Pugh, according to a press release. Bassist Karl Sevareid rounds out Cray's backing band, while guest musicians on the set include Sly & the Family Stone trumpeter Cynthia Robinson and saxophonist Jerry Martini, the Turtle Island String Quartet, and percussionist Luis Conte.
Hiatt, who recently signed to indie label New West Records, released his latest album, "Beneath this Gruff Exterior," last month. The set is his 18th, and is the first to be credited to "John Hiatt and the Goners," which refers to his longtime band.
Guitarist Sonny Landreth, bassist Dave Ranson and drummer Kenneth Blevins reunited with singer-guitarist Hiatt for the first time in almost a decade on Hiatt's previous album, "The Tiki Bar is Open," which hit stores in 2001.
