Delta Hurricane is the second album by the American musician Larry McCray, released in 1993.[2][3] McCray supported the album with a North American tour.[4]

Delta Hurricane
Studio album by
Released1993
GenreBlues
LabelPointblank[1]
ProducerMike Vernon
Larry McCray chronology
Ambition
(1990)
Delta Hurricane
(1993)
Meet Me at the Lake
(1996)

Production edit

Recorded in Memphis, the album was produced by Mike Vernon.[5][6] Unlike McCray's debut, Delta Hurricane was recorded as a band album, rather than a demo on which other players contributed.[7] McCray's guitar style was mostly influenced by his father and older sister.[8]

"Soul Shine" is a cover of the Warren Haynes song.[9] "Blue River" is an instrumental.[10] A horn section played on many of the songs.[11] Tony Zamagni played keyboards on the album.[12] McCray's brother Steve played drums.[13]

Critical reception edit

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [14]
Chicago Tribune    [15]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music     [5]

Stereo Review wrote that "McCray is, above all, a superb blues-guitar player, combining the lyricism of an Eric Clapton with the power of a Son Seals."[16] The Chicago Tribune noted that "McCray is very much a '90s bluesman, unafraid of mixing in rock, soul and even the occasional heavy-metal touch in his music."[15] The State concluded that "McCray's paint-peeling guitar solos are simply awesome, packed with the kind of electric fire that Muddy Waters dreamed about on his first trip to Chicago."[17]

The Toronto Star determined that "the great combo of tenderness and toughness in Larry McCray highlights Delta Hurricane.[18] The Austin American-Statesman deemed Delta Hurricane the eighth best blues album of 1993, writing that "McCray forcefully makes his case for inclusion in the upper echelon of contemporary blues artists."[19] The Boston Herald called it "the best contemporary blues release of the year—and maybe last year, too."[20]

AllMusic wrote that McCray's "guitar work is ... authentic; there aren't any flashy phrases or flamboyant riffs, just pile-driving lines, barreling statements and energetic support for his vocals."[14]

Track listing edit

No.TitleLength
1."Delta Hurricane" 
2."Adding Up" 
3."Last Four Nickels" 
4."Soul Shine" 
5."Not That Much" 
6."Last Hand of the Night" 
7."Witchin' Moon" 
8."Blue River" 
9."Hole in My Heart" 
10."Tree Straight Days of Rain" 
11."Blues in the City" 

References edit

  1. ^ Dicaire, David (2015). More Blues Singers: Biographies of 50 Artists from the Later 20th Century. McFarland. p. 145.
  2. ^ "Larry McCray Biography by Bill Dahl". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  3. ^ DeLuca, Dan (25 Nov 1994). "Eek-A-Mouse, Larry McCray". Features Weekend. The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 17.
  4. ^ Surkamp, David (9 Apr 1994). "Larry McCray Performs Gritty Blues, Soulful Ballads". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 8D.
  5. ^ a b Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 5. MUZE. p. 622.
  6. ^ "Delta Hurricane by Larry McCray". Billboard. 105 (31): 47. July 31, 1993.
  7. ^ Mohr, Lisa (September 12, 1993). "Larry McCray". Entertainment. The Dispatch–Argus.
  8. ^ Johnson, Jeff (April 1, 1994). "Singer/Guitarist Hits Career Crossroads". Weekend Plus. Chicago Sun-Times. p. 12.
  9. ^ Hornblow, Deborah (12 Dec 1994). "Blues Guitarist Delights with High Octane Sound". Hartford Courant. p. A4.
  10. ^ Stancavage, John (September 17, 1995). "Bluesman Larry McCray Learned Best Licks From Sister". Tulsa World. p. E2.
  11. ^ Rosen, Steve (June 11, 1993). "'King of the Boogie Sax' gives new life to old familiar sound". Arts. The Denver Post. p. 26.
  12. ^ Rideout, Ernie (Dec 1998). "Escape from the combat zone". Keyboard. 24 (12): 50–58.
  13. ^ Cowle, Tracy (October 9, 1994). "Small Caravan crowd gets caught up in a blues storm". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. p. 14.
  14. ^ a b "Delta Hurricane Review by Ron Wynn". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  15. ^ a b Kening, Dan (25 Nov 1993). "Larry McCray Delta Hurricane". Chicago Tribune. p. 13E.
  16. ^ "Delta Hurricane by Larry McCray". Stereo Review. 58 (11): 124. Nov 1993.
  17. ^ Miller, Michael (July 23, 1993). "New Releases". The State. p. 12D.
  18. ^ Chapman, Geoff (24 Dec 1993). "Jeannie, Jimmy give the blues big-band bounce". Toronto Star. p. F18.
  19. ^ Point, Michael (30 Dec 1993). "'93 A Look Back". Onward. Austin American-Statesman. p. 15.
  20. ^ Convey, Kevin R. (August 13, 1993). "Discs". Boston Herald. p. S21.