Ray

[johnfowles]

A few weeks ago we had the great pleasure of seeing the wonderful film Ray, in which Jamie Foxx gives an uncannily accurate
performance as the great blind singer Ray Charles.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/graphics/2005/01/21/bfray2.jpg
The Real Ray: subject and actor meet
I still have three vinyl albums and fondly recall seeing Ray in 7 of 8 concerts on four days at the Hammersmith Odeon in
London (several of us poor students from the nearby Imperial programmes and Ice creams there in return for seeing the concerts..I don't now remember why I had to miss one concert)
I was most pleased to read in today's Daily Telegraph a flatterring review of the film it is at:- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2005/01/21/bfdg21.xml
if you get the chance to see this or rent the DVD I strongly urge you to do so
It is a rare treat a musical delicacy
John Fowles
How did the headless horseman know where he was going

[Borderstone]

I (still) haven't seen the film yet but I knew when I heard Jamie Foxx was making this film that he'd be perfect for it.

When ET covered the story last year it showed Foxx in certain scenes already shot,with the dark glasses on and dressed like Ray. I checked my album cover for,"Modern Sounds I C & W music and he was definetley the mirror image! http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif

Then,in those same scenes,he was singing and with those two factors together,I just knew it was going to be big! (Besides,Mr. Charles was supervising and I don't think he'd let anything less than accurate get under the radar.

Speaking of "Ray" himself,I have most of his hits and I have his last three singles that he ever released. "I'll Be Good To You" from '89/'90. "A Song For You"-1992 and "I'll Be There" (not the J.5 song) from 1993. I only wish I could have seen a live show. http://www.corfid.com/ubb/frown.gif

Been me,later.

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"A knight of the road,going back to a place where he might get warm." ;) - Borderstone

[closetcanadian]

I had the pleasure of seeing this film last month and Jamie Foxx is brilliant in the role. He will receive a well deserved Oscar nomination. First time nominees rarely win Academy Awards but this year may be an exception!

[Borderstone]

I would say that it's a shoo-in (and I'm not!)but I believe it would be a big faux-pau on the Academy's part if he doesn't win. http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif

That's all I'm saying! http://www.corfid.com/ubb/eek.gif

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"A knight of the road,going back to a place where he might get warm." ;) - Borderstone

[The Rez]

Brother Ray. Gordon Lightfoot. John Stewart.

I couldn't count which one I've driven any distance to see more often.

The day "Ray" came out on DVD, I got one. The CD from the film, too.

Those live cuts from "Ray" were from a '62 unreleased show at the Shrine Auditorium in LA. I was 16 and one of half a handful of white guys there. First time . . . and I could watch his hands up close. The band was the original cats. I tried so hard to play like Ray & play like Fathead.

After the concert, my wife-to-be and I stood at the stage door (only white folks there.) Finally, the door opened and out stepped Ray w/ a guide beside him. The crowd (couple hundred)just parted like the Red Sea for him . . . and became quiet.

As he got to his limo, I got brave and said, "Say, Ray." He looked back at me (I swear he did) and said, "Say, Baby."

So, I figure when Brother Ray met his Saviour, Jesus said, "Say, Ray." And Ray say back, "Say, Baby." And then the welcoming embrace.

The Rez



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It was a Beautiful Rainbow
A Beautiful Time in my Life
A Thing to Share
A Time to Care
To Be Alive

[BILLW]

quote:Originally posted by The Rez:
Brother Ray. Gordon Lightfoot. John Stewart.

I couldn't count which one I've driven any distance to see more often.

The day "Ray" came out on DVD, I got one. The CD from the film, too.

Those live cuts from "Ray" were from a '62 unreleased show at the Shrine Auditorium in LA. I was 16 and one of half a handful of white guys there. First time . . . and I could watch his hands up close. The band was the original cats. I tried so hard to play like Ray & play like Fathead.

After the concert, my wife-to-be and I stood at the stage door (only white folks there.) Finally, the door opened and out stepped Ray w/ a guide beside him. The crowd (couple hundred)just parted like the Red Sea for him . . . and became quiet.

As he got to his limo, I got brave and said, "Say, Ray." He looked back at me (I swear he did) and said, "Say, Baby."

So, I figure when Brother Ray met his Saviour, Jesus said, "Say, Ray." And Ray say back, "Say, Baby." And then the welcoming embrace.

The Rez



Nicely said.

Bill http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Borderstone]

Forgot to mention,I finally did see the movie on Feb. 12th at my local discount theatre ($2.50) Totally awesome! http://www.corfid.com/ubb/cool.gif <----Oh yeah...and way cool!
Go Jamie! Go Jamie! Go Jamie! http://www.corfid.com/ubb/wink.gif


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"A knight of the road,going back to a place where he might get warm." ;) - Borderstone

[Borderstone]

Well,Jamie Foxx did win Best Actor but sorry to say "Ray" did not win best picture. http://www.corfid.com/ubb/frown.gif

Nothing against Eastwood or his film,but I was a bit dissapoited last night. If I were younger,I'd have been totally P.O.'d,but I don't take it to heart as much as I did then.

Even if I see "Million Dollar Baby",I'll still feel that "Ray" was the better film. I really loved Foxx's speech too. http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif

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"A knight of the road,going back to a place where he might get warm." ;) - Borderstone

[johnfowles]

quote:Originally posted by Borderstone:
Well,Jamie Foxx did win Best Actor but sorry to say "Ray" did not win best picture. http://www.corfid.com/ubb/frown.gif

Nothing against Eastwood or his film,but I was a bit dissapoited last night. If I were younger,I'd have been totally P.O.'d,but I don't take it to heart as much as I did then.

Even if I see "Million Dollar Baby",I'll still feel that "Ray" was the better film. I really loved Foxx's speech too. http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif




I tend to agree Walter. the idea of a female pugilist is not one that gets my pulse racing but you have to admit that Hilary Swank's lack-of-a-back-half-dress
http://www.azcentral.com/style/pics/0227oscarfashion.jpg
was rather more exciting that Jamie's tattooed head and lack of hair
http://www.news24.com/Images/Photos/20050228064127Foxx.jpg !!
John Fowles
I am as an aeroplane enthusiast resolved to go to hire "The Aviator" from Blockbuster as soon as possible

[The Rez]

Howdy All,

Just bought another copy of "Ray." Gave my first copy to my long time friend, Jim.

Costco was sellin' it. It has a Picture Book inside. I couldn't help myself.

4 hrs of "stuff." Don't know what "stuff," exactly. But 4 hrs of "stuff" and a Picture Book - I'm there!

Now, if I only had a DVD player . . .

The Rez

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It was a Beautiful Rainbow
A Beautiful Time in my Life
A Thing to Share
A Time to Care
To Be Alive

[The Rez]

Just have to toss this in the mix.

I have a CD of the entire LP for "Live at Newport" (1958) First album of Ray's I ever bought.

That's no longer available, as they've repackaged most of the tune wtih another live performance a couple laters.

You can't lost. "Drown In My Own Tears" is taken at an impossibly slow timpo (what his players used to call Ray's Death Tempo.)

So, all this is before Georgia & Modern Sounds in C/W Music. Matter of fact before everything except "What'd I Say"

All I can say is get it, cause the original just isn't offered any more. The creme of the crop is there - Margie Hendrics herslelf and Fathead Newman. All the original cats.

Than lean back, turn it up loud, and be prepared to transmorgrify into a black man in 58. It wil happen - really.

The Rez


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It was a Beautiful Rainbow
A Beautiful Time in my Life
A Thing to Share
A Time to Care
To Be Alive

[Borderstone]

Gee,all I have is a used Best Of type LP of Ray's and a very great copy of "Modern Sounds In Country and Western Music". I also have 2 copies of,"Night Time Is The Right Time" (although one's a bit warped.) http://www.corfid.com/ubb/tongue.gif

I'm hoping to get a box set of Ray Charles at Best Buy that covers his music from Atlantic to 1992/93's "A Song For You" (#103 on the Bubble Under Chart.)
I already have that song on a cassette single, along with what I believe is his last single ever,"I'll Be There" (no not the J-5 song.) On the B-side of that though is,"Still Crazy After All These Years",which would have made a much better A-side.

A question,it's been over a month since Isaw the movie and I noticed something when looking at my #1 hits book.....the book says Ray's dad died when he was 10. I don't remember seeing his father in the film,then again I came in when it was 1940-something.

Anybody know? Let me know,if he's not in the film that's a major mistake! http://www.corfid.com/ubb/eek.gif

Been me,later! http://www.corfid.com/ubb/cool.gif


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"A knight of the road,going back to a place where he might get warm." ;) - Borderstone

[Patti]

I have My World on cassette. It's a good one.

[The Rez]

There's a great 3 CD set "The Atlantic Years" But that Newport appearance in 58 is the only take on Down in My Own Tears at that wonderfully, slow tempe

My World and Thanks for Bringing Love Around Again are fine albums. He never lost it till the cancer won. Even then it was right up to the wire. Angeline was great in person.

That 4CD Box Set is great too. Leon loved Ray's take on A Song for You. Lots of mutual respect.

Unfortunately Amazon & the others all full of repackages (like Elvis) that don't do Ray justice.

I find myself wishing they just reissue the albums as they were on CD - like Gord. There's one called Valcanic Action of My Soul that's just not around, not any songs from it.

When you refer to "the book" about Ray's father do you mean "Brother Ray" from 78. There lies the truth. But filmakers often take liberties for dramatic effect. "Brother Ray" is one fine read (done w/ David Ruiz) Check the old, dusty bookstores.

A litle quickie about the film "Ray." In the scene where What'd I Say is born, Jamie Foxx does this great piece of business. The first words of the lyrics don't come out, so he grabs the mic and turns the "sound side" toward him.

Actually, that cut was from a 1962 concert at The Shrine Auditorium in LA. (It's credited on the CD.) I was 16 and I was there - first time ever.

The sound guy just didn't get the pot up quick onough - just a glich. That recording from 62 exists, but I can't get a hold of it - yet.

Great little film business, that.

Adios for now all you good people,

The Rez



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It was a Beautiful Rainbow
A Beautiful Time in my Life
A Thing to Share
A Time to Care
To Be Alive

[The Rez]

GOTTA TELLYA!

Just got the live stuff from Newport Jazz Festival '68.

First half of the CD is Ray's band w/ instrumentals like no other big band.

Night Time is the Right Time
Tell the Truth
What'd I Say
and most of all that incredibly wonderful
s-l-o-w take on Drown In My Own Tears.

When I first heard that record in 7th grade it knocked me clean down to the ground. Still does.

Lordy, how Brother Ray could howl.

The Rez

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It was a Beautiful Rainbow
A Beautiful Time in my Life
A Thing to Share
A Time to Care
To Be Alive