Short Bio
Short Bio
Robbie Reay is an internationally renowned guitarist, vocalist and songwriter. Equipped with a cigar box guitar and licence plate stomp-box. He blends traditional material and original songs with incredible skill, variety and innovation.
Robbie is currently touring to promote his latest album Up and Down, A brilliant collection of original, contemporary, blues songs, influenced by life, the current struggles, folklore and the Deep South.
Latest Press
Latest Press
" The venue had a fantastic atmosphere throughout the day, a very enthusiastic crowd greeted all artists on stage and participated when necessary. Dark, dingy Club atmosphere added to the grittiness of this event. The room’s acoustics adding to the ambience and sound was great throughout the day. This was an unqualified success, summed up by those attendees and artists. Opening such an event is a daunting prospect for any artist and especially when there has been a dearth of live music. Enter Robbie Reay and Willie Cran who gave an excellent performance intermingling traditional blues songs from the Mississippi Delta and some originals. Barefoot Blues was the first tune, Robbie was inspired by a trip to Mississippi and even wrote a book about his experiences. This was an upbeat set peppered with audience participation numbers like, Grinning In Your Face and The Jeckyll Can’t Hide, full of humour and a real feel for traditional blues values, they are a very entertaining duo. Robbie’s expertise at using the cigar box guitar is most noticeable in the closing song Willie Brown, segueing this with Baby Please Don’t Go, interplaying well with Willie Cran’s powerful harmonica style, a feature of a few bands playing this Festival. A rousing start indeed enjoyed by an appreciative audience."
WORDS & IMAGES: Colin Campbell - Blues Matters Magazine - York Blues Festival Saturday 24th July, 2021, 1.00pm
Album Review
Album Review
" There is a nicely relaxed feel to the opening track of this release, ‘Skylark’, a song of a satisfied man coming home, set to a fine solo Mississippi slide guitar accompaniment. That's no coincidence either, as Robbie recently visited Mississippi, and the title track that follows has a tougher approach, with fine vocals and harmonica added to the driving guitar work. Yes, I am impressed, but then this CD was an “IBBA Pick Of The Month” for August - and deservedly so. The tightly-controlled ‘2020 Blues’ (very nice guitar break) leads into an original ‘Crossroads’, then ‘Just The Same’ provides a change of direction, a folky ballad, ‘This Time’ has something of a jaunty country feel, and ‘Hold Me Close‘ is a folk piece with a curious but effective arrangement. ‘Satisfy My Roll’ picks things up again as it is a fine rocking and nicely lascivious blues, and ‘Ain’t Got No Biscuit’ has a strongly traditional approach, a little related to Elizabeth Cotton’s approach, though with a blues harp break; it is easy to imagine this with a washboard added to the accompaniment, somewhat like Blind Boy Fuller. The closing track begins as a fine, romantic folk song and has a livelier blues-based interlude to close out the album. Robbie has something of a winner here, showcasing his fine voice, accomplished playing and plenty of excellent blues and roots numbers. Check it out,."
Norman Darwen - Blues In Britain Magazine
Additional Press
Additional Press
Gig Review
Gig Review
This was my first live blues music event since March 2020 and what a great one to start off with! It had been cancelled from day before due to the great British weather, but the blues gods were shining outside The Mule On Rouge Café at Berwick Upon Tweed. A lovely day and appreciative audience made this very memorable and enjoyable. These two Scottish Borders based blues troubadours had not played live for two years and throughout appeared to be loving the experience. Robbie is the singer songwriter, guitarist and singer. Willie is a harmonica specialist, their chemistry together is a sound to behold, with Robbie putting in a few comical asides as well as explaining his songs and giving a potted history of Delta blues.
Words and Pictures: Colin Campbell 27th June 2021
Fans Comments
"Robbie's music touches the soul because it comes from the soul! He shares with us - through verse and musical notes - his inner feelings and experiences. Gives me the hope that the world we live in, is not totally lost yet. Just listen! And i'll guarantee you'll learn!"
- Mr E Dumitrescu -
Fabulous performance. I have listened to music for 40 Years without having the ability to listen to the lyrics. Never will be able too. I go on the overall sound and feel. Your song side by side really grabbed me. It's a superb piece of work. Hope to see you play it again soon.
- Mr Jonny Logan -
Robbie's superb guitar playing, fine vocals and songwriting skills lend themselves to any size venue. He possesses excellent skill at holding audience attention and involving them in the performance.
- Mr Roger M Daniels -
Great show tonight at The Crafty Baa in Windermere. Well played! Vocals were proper mint and I loved the sound of the different guitars. Especially that cigar box, you’ve done a top job making it sound good. Hope to catch you again mate.
- Mr Colin Liptrot -