Larry McCray records acoustic blues album

Michigan blues artist Larry McCray has completed recording his first full-length acoustic blues album, marking a new direction in his longtime career. The project was recorded at Pinhead Recorders and produced by Canadian blues artist Colin Linden, who also performs on most of the album’s tracks.

The upcoming release features one traditional song alongside nine original compositions, all co-written by McCray. The sessions included a lineup of notable musicians, including Dave Jacques on bass and George Receli on drums. Additional guest appearances come from Mickey Raphael on harmonica, Ketch Secor on fiddle, Dominic Davis on bass, and Rebecca Lovell on mandolin.

McCray shared his thoughts on completing the project, saying, “I have always wanted to make an acoustic record, but I was never in the right place to make that happen. I truly believe that my friend Colin Linden has brought together the right musicians and the right approach. I think we have a good record here.”

The album currently carries the working title Blue Mary, named after one of the tracks co-written by McCray and his partner Peggy Smith. The song draws on a ghost story narrative set to a country-style waltz arrangement.

Release details for the album are still to be announced as McCray finalizes a record label agreement.

McCray’s latest album, Heartbreak City, recently received two Blues Music Awards nominations, including Album of the Year and Song of the Year for “Bye Bye Blues.”