Larry McCray: Heartbreak City Review

American blues guitarist and singer, Larry McCray established himself on the blues scene way back in 1991 with his debut release titled Ambition. After more than three decades on the scene, with multiple records under his belt, and having received several awards for his contributions to blues music, including the ‘Sunshine’ Sonny Payne Award for Blues Excellence in 2015, and was voted Blues Rock Review’s #1 album of 2022 for Blues Without You, McCray is back with a brand new album labelled Heartbreak City. The new record, made in collaboration with Joe Bonamassa’s KTBA Records features 10 brand new tracks in Larry’s signature style.

A funky, spellbinding rhythm welcomes us aboard this blues express, before McCray dispatches the train with guitar licks played with a feel that even the late great B.B. King would have been proud of. In addition to the strong lead vocals, “Try to Be a Good Man” also features powerful backing vocals adding that soul vibe to the mix. Next up, introduced by a killer brass section “Heartbreak City” is a slow-paced late-night blues number. Larry’s soulful singing style is enriched by wonderful electric organ parts adding to the overall warm atmosphere. The title track has got great dynamics throughout, and that slow bend leading up to a deluxe guitar solo is what really makes this song stand out. “Bye Bye Blues” is another soul-infused tune. Talking about the healing power of love the chorus meditates on a lovely lyric: ‘when I said hello to you, I said bye bye blues’.

Grabbing the attention right away with the breaks in the intro, “Bright Side” features creative guitar work, and an airtight groove, with percussions and hand-claps fuelling its energy. Now for something completely fresh, we’ve got a digital beat kicking “Everything Falls On Me” off. That is eventually superseded by a fun and irresistible drum groove. The track is spiced up with a cheeky, bluesy riff, while the vocals are just soul, soul, soul. Keys lead the way into a minor-key ballad titled “I Know What I’ve Done”. A fiery guitar solo is the crown of this slow-burner packed with emotion that focuses on the theme of making amends. Larry McCray is an extraordinary guitar player all around, but the tone that he squeezes out of the old 6-string is out of this world!

“Keep On Loving My Baby” is a straightforward, no-nonsense blues tune. Oh, the shuffle in this one – absolutely infectious, not to mention the honky-tonk piano. The guitar licks are so fine, it’s borderline rude. The gem of this record – a live rendition of this tune must be a real treat! Another hot, bluesy track called “Hangman” follows, with an acoustic delta-style guitar riff underlined by a laidback stomping drum beat, paving the way for a fine blues-soul blend that is “Stop Your Crying”. One, two, one, two, three, uh! Tight collaboration of the rhythm section is the driving force behind the mean blues rock banger titled “Crazy World” in which McCray once again showcases just how great a guitarist he is. What a way to wrap this amazing album up!

Throughout his career, McCray has kept his roots deep in the blues, but never hesitated to explore and blend other genres, most notably rock and soul. The new album is no exception – Larry takes the best out of those genres and creates a truly powerful, genuine, and personal piece of work. Speaking about Heartbreak City, the artist said, “I feel totally reborn. This new album lets me show the full scope of what I do—it’s blues, it’s soul, it’s real stories. This is who I am.” With his seemingly inexhaustible creativity, wonderful guitar work, and rich soulful voice, Larry McCray continues to nurture and evolve the genre whilst inspiring the fans and fellow musicians alike.

The Review: 9.5/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– Heartbreak City
– Everything Falls On Me
– Keep On Loving My Baby
– Hangman

The Big Hit

– Keep On Loving My Baby