"Nothin' But Love" is Cray's 16th studio album, and all of the songs from this session can be found on that volume. "Won't Be Coming Home" says goodbye to a damaged lover -- the seeming cause of the relationship's fracture -- without really moving on. Slow-burning and expansive, "I'm Done Crying" sets a dim and lonely mood while recounting nondescript hardships, presumably too painful to speak of. Picking up the pace, "Side Dish" slinks and winks a warning about what becomes of a relationship not properly attended to -- burnt peas.
But the session's best cut is the one that starts it off. In the pocket from the first note, "Great Big Old House" mourns the smiles, laughter and tears that used to emanate from some long-since-forgotten residence, and pours out a tribute soulful enough to more than fill its empty rooms.
All photos by Chris Bay.
