|
contents | jazz | |||||||||||||
| Rick Ray Releases 28th Album-Temporary World Rick Ray is like a lot of us, he saw the Beatles on Ed Sullivan in 1964, and his life changed forever. Shortly thereafter, he got his first guitar and subsequently formed a band. Since 1979, Ray has been in the studio recording music. Twenty-eight albums later, a new release titled Temporary World is already creating a stir. Ray has opened for notable artists such as Robin Trower, Allan Holdsworth, Michael Shenker Group, Kansas, Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush, The Dregs, and The Steve Morse Band to name a few. The respect from his peers is obvious and his future looks bright and promising with the release of Temporary World. Over the years, Rick Ray has developed into one of the most versatile and eclectic guitar players recording music today. His sound, although not defined easily, has become recognizable to his listeners as very distinctive. He mixes rock, jazz, blues, and progressive into one simmering musical stew. Ray is the prototypical D.Y.I. artist, handling all the recording, production, and distribution of his recordings through his own Neurosis label and then made available through his own website and various internet outlets. The momentum has never subsided for this ‘man on mission.’ His intention was to get the music to the masses and his methods have garnered tremendous success. He has taken his career into his own hands right from the start. While enjoying the satisfaction and rewards for all of his hard work, Ray’s music is a direct reflection of his attitude and endless drive to become the epitome of independence. While there have been many successes there have been the hard times as well. The man has paid his dues. Ray gets up early every morning and goes off to work just like the rest of us working stiffs, the difference is when his day is done he has something special to look forward to. When he gets home, he goes right to work on his music with the hope that some day this will be all he has to do to support his family. Keeping the dream alive is his mantra and you can hear that hope and energy in his music. Temporary World is an exciting release that takes you through different styles and tempos. “X In The Sky, ” a tasteful yet rockin’ track, will please many different tastes. It features some timely saxophone to give it a decidedly jazz fusion edge. “Modified Universe” is a textured acoustic jazz number that displays the many talents of Ray on his six-string. The title track says it all with slap-you-in-the-face lyrics and rockin’ guitar. In a fatal stroke of irony, this reality hit home recently with the shocking loss of long time friend and lead vocalist Chuck Abraham, who suffered a massive heart attack a few days after the release of the album. This is the kind of message that ever reminds us of how precious life is and how it can change in the blink of an eye. With the memory of Abraham and his spirit in the music forever, Rick Ray and his band will continue to record with the kind of variety and intensity that long time fans have come to expect, and surely, along the way many new listeners will climb on board for the ride. write your comments about the article :: © 2005 Jazz News :: home page |