False Accusations (CD - 1985)

Additional personnel: Dale Wilson (guitar); David II (tenor saxophone); Nolan Smith (trumpet); Dennos Walker (bass).

Recorded at Sage & Sound, Music Lab & Haywood's, Los Angeles, California.

Personnel: Robert Cray (vocals, guitar); Dale Wilson (guitar); David Li, David II (tenor saxophone, percussion); Nolan Andrew Smith (trumpet); Peter Boe (keyboards); Dave Olson (drums).

Audio Mixer: Bill Dashiell.

Recording information: Haywood's, Los Angeles, CA; Music Lab Studios, Hollywood, CA; Music Lab, LA, CA; Sage & Sound Recording, Hollywood, CA; Sage & Sound, LA, CA.

Photographer: Carl Keyes.

If its predecessor hadn't been so powerful, this collection might have been a little more striking in its own right. As it is, a solid if not overwhelming album sporting the memorable "Playin' in the Dirt" and "I've Slipped Her Mind." ~ Bill Dahl

Robert Cray's third album is also his first great one. The production is vastly superior, finally allowing one to hear what a gorgeous tone Cray gets on the guitar. His singing is relaxed and assured, and the songs, originals by Cray and his bandmates, are sensational.

FALSE ACCUSATIONS comes across as a concept album about infidelity and guilt. Everything clicks here, but the best songs are slow burners such as "Porch Light" and "Playin' in the Dirt," where Cray's solos are little marvels of concision and passionate intensity. "I've Slipped Her Mind," a gospel-tinged ballad about being stood up, is an instant classic. Cray turns the number into a virtuoso soul workout that stands with the best of Otis Redding or James Brown. minimize