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Ray Charles: Live At Montreaux

By Mike Perciaccante
September 1, 2002
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This is a superb live performance. Ray and The Raelettes are at their best on this electrifying set recorded in 1997. Ray Charles Live at Montreaux delivers everything anyone ever asked for in a Ray Charles CD. It is clean, crisp, exhilarating, thrilling, the band is superb, Brother Ray's voice is in fine form, the song selection is excellent and most of all it is LIVE!

With a set list that reads like a greatest hits album, Ray and company leave no stone unturned. Everyone will find at least five favorites here. From "Busted," to "Georgia On My Mind," to "Mississippi Mud," to "I Can't Stop Loving You," to "Angelina," to "Smack Dab In The Middle," to "What's I Say" this CD has it all. The most interesting track on this seventeen song excursion into musical heaven is "Watch Them Dogs" which is given a very funky arrangement and very prominently features the Raelettes.

Ray Charles is both a legend and a genius. It is difficult for some to be hailed as such. It is even more difficult to continue to live up to such descriptions. It is even more difficult to continue to deliver the goods after being so highly acclaimed. Yet, Ray Charles is acknowledged as even more. He is an American Icon. Live at Montreaux is a wonderful testament to his genius and artistry. The genius of this legend lives on, and Live at Montreaux will give future generations a glimpse.

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Mike Perciaccante has been contributing live rock reviews to the weekend edition of All About Jazz since 2002.

Track Listing

1. Ray Charles Opener - 1:03 2. I'll Be Home - 3:24 3. Busted - 2:24 4. Georgia on My Mind - 5:49 5. Mississippi Mud - 3:02 6. Just for a Thrill - 6:48 7. You Make Me Love You - 2:58 8. Angelina - 5:29 9. Scotia Blues (Blues for Big Scotia) - 4:02 10. Song for You - 5:51 11. Do It to Me Slow (Rayettes Intro) - 0:48 12. Watch Them Dogs - 4:27 13. Shadows of My Mind - 5:50 14. Smack Dab in the Middle - 2:38 15. I Can't Stop Loving Him - 4:37 16. People Will Say We're in Love - 3:00 17. What'd I Say - 6:49

Personnel

Ray Charles

piano and vocals

Ray Charles - Piano Tom Fowler - Bass Charles Johnson - Sax (Tenor) Doug Sax - Mastering Ernest Vantrease - Organ, Keyboards Terry Howard - Producer Herbert Waltl - Producer Ken Sharp - Trumpet Karen Evans Robert Hadley - Mastering Alan Waters - Sax (Tenor)

Album information

Title: Live At Montreaux | Year Released: 2002 | Record Label: Pioneer Entertainment

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