I’ll have to ask Aric if he remembers what his first Compact Disc was. I’m not sure if I’ve adequately expressed what a big deal this new CD format was. Think about for a minute. The phonograph record had been around for over 100 years. Magnetic tape had been around since the 1930’s. Here, not only in my lifetime but in the middle ofMy Musical Evolution, a brand new way to store music. Digital files on optical media it was so revolutionary. It is kind of like the first time somebody flipped on a light swicht in a dark room or flushed a toilet inside a house.
Aric began to buy CD’s too. One of his early ones was this, Strong Persuader by Robert Cray. This is another cool example of how influences work. I never heard of Robert Cray at least that I was consciously aware. I have no idea how Aric heard of him. We seemed to have very similar and quite compatible musical tastes. I never would have gone for Strong Persuader. Fortunately, I didn’t have to. It does raise the Kevin Baconish aspect of who influences the influencers.
Still this CD was in the house and soon was very appreciated. Did my previous affinity for The Blues Brothers pave the way for Robert Cray? There is that hint of Chicago Blues on tracks like Nothin’ But A Woman. I can almost imagine Jake Blues singing that song.
Smoking Gun
Right Next Door (Because Of Me)
Nothin’ But A Woman
Foul Play