Larry McCray is a one-of-a-kind favorite son whose generosity and kindness are legend with local musicians and fans alike. In fact, I've never before witnessed such a genuine expression of affection for an artist. There was a profound sense of intimacy during McCray's landmark 3-night residency at White's. McCray has a vibe that is open and friendly. He EVEN remembers names... people he hasn't seen for years - back when he worked for General Motors. Folks brought in their kids - some are aspiring musicians - to meet him. And Larry's interest appeared sincere, tested, and true.
That's so heavy

Larry took the time to reminisce with old friends and some of Saginaw's great players such as Earl the Pearl Cavendish, Matt Besey & Caitlin Berry, Scott Baker, Mike Brush, brother Billy McCray, Frank and Vander Washington and many, many others. Larry is a musician's favorite 'cos he plays it real and rocks it with vitality.
McCray is a relentless piledriver, no flash or smoke & mirrors. He just plays it with heart and soul.And he's just a flat-out great singer. He can shout it with a hurricane ferocity or purr honey-sweet and soulful - sounding at times like B.B King or Bobby Blue Bland. And just like them great singers, McCray sings with incredible depth and range. Known for his masterful guitar work, McCray's singing is icing on the cake.

During these gigs, McCray pulled material from each of his albums from 1991's incendiary debut Ambition to his 2001 blues/rock masterpiece Believe It
It's more than an impressive catalog of music
It's McCray's own Dead Sea Scrolls - the bible of modern electric blues.
It's no exaggeration
Like other young blues royalty - Chris Beard, Junior Watson, Rusty Zinn, and John Nemeth come to mind - McCray is redfining the genre. These are working-class bluesmen who pack up their suitcases and travel the backroads and play the festivals to make it pay. One gig at a time. But unlike the others, McCray's music is more Texas-raw than Delta born...
He rocks harder...so hard and so soulful that he could make a Gregorian Chant sound funky.

McCray opened with I Don't Mind and Nobody Hurt Blues, a pair of blues funk tunes from "Ambition". McCray's soulful "Delta Hurricane" LP was represented by Witchin' Woman, Hole In My Heart, Blues In The City, Last Four Nickels, Soul Shine, and the funked up and delicious Buck Naked

Larry tagged 1998's "Born To Play the Blues" LP with I Wonder, Same Old Blues, Gone For Good, and a powerful 12-bar workout on Feel So Damn Good

Larry was in his element - at home. The reunion with his Saginaw fans seemed to inspire McCray's performance.
The positive vibe electrified the crowd.

And Larry too!

McCray's band is phenomenal. The rhythm section is first-rate with the exceptional Johnny Begaden on bass and brother Steve McCray on drums and vocals(he's a great singer too).

It doesn't get any better than this
"Believe It" is one of my favorite albums and a full seven tracks were performed during the show. That's How Strong is a heavy rocker with riff from John Entwhistle's My Size that segues into an Allman Brother's hook straight outta Midnight Rider.
Love it
. On You Don't Know McCray sounds like a young B.B. King singin' his ass off and playin' Lucille until she squeals with delight. Blues Is My Business is a rockin' ode to survival. It has a fairly standard tongue-in-cheek blues metaphor whereby the singer steps outside his pain and celebrates life.

The soul gospel of Cash Money followed the blues/rock anthem Believe It.

But one of my favorites was the ZZ Top inspired rocker Best In Town. McCray's fret-work is an awe-inspiring jaw-droppin' 8th wonder of the world. And Begaden's basslines can take you 'round the block a time or two!

McCray's three days of blissful rockin' blues were THE most triumphant performances I've ever heard. It was an unprecedented exhibition of craft mixed with intimacy and genuine affection.
Pure GOSPEL from the man himself
He's been to the mountain and back...and lived to sing about it. McCray's a road warrior whose been promised the world but instead found solace and meaning in family and fatherhood...
and music
In this regard McCray is like you and me. It's life's simplicities, in the everyday nature of existence, that we can appreciate the deepest meaning in the small things that lift our spirits and soothe our soul. It was the real thing presented by one of our most gifted artists. Weeks later, as I burrowed-in for a cold winter, McCray's electrifying performance continued to warm my memory. And make me smile. Thanks to Larry McCray, Paul Koch, Hyperman Productions, and everyone who made it happen

Peace
Bo White

May 2004