POP MUSIC REVIEW : Robert Cray Offers Bland, Commercial Set at Bowl

Singer-guitarist Robert Cray is a casualty of commercialism, and his blues-based set at the Hollywood Bowl on Wednesday was another example of his talent gone to waste. Those who recall him in his pre-glory days in the ‘70s--back when he was a vibrant, soulful, daring artist--must shudder at what he’s become.

At the Bowl, he was in his usual commercial mode, burying the blues under pop, R&B; and rock trappings. The result was a bloated hybrid--entertaining but never electrifying or even remotely challenging. Yes, he’s a terrific guitarist, but it was hard to enjoy the show on that level because those soulless elements kept intruding. As a singer, Cray was stuck in second gear, cruising comfortably but never even approaching overdrive.

Second-billed blues/R&B; singer Etta James would have been a much more interesting headliner. She was just starting to roll when her brief set, buoyed by the excellent support of her Roots Band, was over. James puts intense passion and humor into her wronged-woman songs, cleverly building tension with subtle intonations and gestures and pulling you deep into her fascinatingly tawdry tales.

Singer-guitarist Robben Ford opened the show with a so-so blues-rock set. Though he’s an excellent guitarist, as a frontman he has just a hint of charisma and dull drone of a voice.