Chris Cain

Chris Cain has a worldwide reputation as one of the truly great blues guitarists of his generation, touring and releasing critically acclaimed albums for over 30 years. The 2018 winner of the Blues Music Award for Best Instrumentalist Guitar, he's an intense, jazz-infused player who adds gruff, commanding vocals and a sharp songwriting wit. The twelve original Cain compositions that make up 'Raisin' Cain' are a head-spinning showcase of raucous blues, horn-driven romps and moody, after-hours laments bursting with skillful songwriting, deep, expressive singing and sparkling, amazingly inventive guitar playing.

Of all the artists out there playing blues guitar, Chris Cain is one of the best. His command of the guitar and it's subtelties makes him a natural to cover BBKING. He squeezes beautiful notes and sings with a commanding baritone voice. Toss in some horns and you have a perfect mix.

This record doesn't get enough credit. The tunes are great and the playing is tight. Cain's guitar playing is top-notch and will have you shaking your head over and over again. Lizz Fischer's keyboard's are smooth as are the drums and bass. This is a lesser known band and this record is a little hard to come by, but well worth the effort!
The eclectic creativity of Cain’s music owes something to his mixed background. Part Greek, part African-American, he was imbued with a love of the blues by his father who grew up on Beale St. in Memphis. Thus inspired, Cain took up the guitar at the age of eight. Studying at San Jose City College, he developed his precocious talent absorbing different techniques and influences as a multi-instrumentalist, playing piano, bass guitar, clarinet, alto and tenor saxophones…

Chris Cain is remarkable. He has amassed an admirable body of work over the years, despite (or perhaps because of)) lack of widespread acclaim. Great chops, solid writing and gritty vocals. This CD stands out, however, for its tight, funky arrangements. Those crisp, punchy horn fills add a groove to Cain's songs and give each one a distinctive sound. And the rhythm section could make your grandma sound good. Coupled with Cain's many other assets, they make this perhaps the finest of his many fine projects.

Can't Buy a Break is a slow-burning, laidback contemporary blues record that positively swings. Cain's licks are clean, warm and fluid — he's able to seamlessly bounce back and forth between R&B, funk, jazz, jump blues, and Chicago blues. Furthermore, he proves himself to be an adept saxophonist, keyboardist and vocalist, as well as songwriter — the album is a true tour-de-force. His backing band is tight and sympathetic, giving the impression that Cain is fronting a much larger band than he is. It's a refreshing, diverse, and relaxed record that shows there is more to contemporary blues than wailing blues-rock.

Jimmy plays the blues clean through his amplifier with a swinging sensibility, yet he can also go deep into the soul with stinging sounds and ferocious slide guitar. Always gritty, soulful, and sweet, this Pittsburgh based blues guitarist has become a respected musician in and around the area, yet has expanded his journey where he continues to make new fans and friends along the way…

CITIZEN CAIN originally formed in London in 1982 with Gordon Feenie (drums/flute) and Cyrus (bass/vocals) and shortly after Tim Taylor on guitar. But even though many critics rated them very highly the band split in 1988 and Cyrus returned home to Scotland…