Re: Ray Charles r.i.p.

[Russ Bradley <wbradley@xxxxxxxxxx>]

There might not be much harp in Ray's music, but I think the posts on 
this lists show the profound influence this guy had on people due to the 
soulfullness of his music.
I grew up listening to Ray Charles.  He is the first rhythm and blues I 
can remember hearing.  My father was into country and bluegrass, big 
band, early 50's pop, but he had a strong love for the music of Ray 
Charles.  It was the only funky stuff I remember him listening to.
When I was a kid and we went out to eat, if the restaurant had a 
jukebox, my brother and I would hit my father up for change to go play 
some tunes on the jukebox.  Dad would give us change, but always wanted 
us to play one tune for him.  Dad would assess the place and make his 
request based on the music he thought they would have on there.   "Play 
something by Hank Williams" or Glen Miller or Flatt &Scruggs.  I 
remember one time when I was 7 or 8, he handed me a quarter (5 tunes for 
a quarter back then) and told me to play something by Ray Charles.  I 
found "I Can't Stop Loving You" by the Ray Charles Singers, so I punched 
that in.  When I got back to the table, he asked if I found anything by 
Ray Charles.  I told him the song I selected and he smiled and said, 
"Good!"  When the song came on, he went through the roof.  "That's not 
Ray Charles", he said, and proceeded to give me a lecture on why that 
was a Ray Charles song and those were the Ray Charles Singers, but that 
could never be as good as Ray Charles because they just didn't do it the 
way Ray did.  It's a lesson I never forgot.  Looking back, that may have 
been one of the most important lessons I ever had on putting feeling 
into a song.  I'm sure that incident played a major role in developing 
the musical tastes I have today.
Ray was the original crossover artist and the first ambassador for 
rhythm and blues.  He will be missed.

Russ

Robert Paparozzi wrote:

>      Roger, I'll try to tune in...sounds great!  Below is a note from Mike
>Lydon from NY that sums up Ray for me. His music moved me
>deeply....Hallelujah I just LOVE him so!
>RIP Bro Ray.....Rob Paparozzi
>
>(Not much harp on Ray's recordings but if you wanna funk-ify your style on
>Harp, there are volumes to be learned from his records.)
>
>"Ray Charles lives. A spirit this noble cannot die. Ray Charles is an
>immortal, an artist of such excellence and vigor, such insight into souls,
>such titanic determination that, like Homer, Cervantes, Shakespeare,
>Rembrandt, Beethoven, Dickens, Armstrong, and Ellington, he will live
>forever in his works of art. Generations will listen and listen to Ray's
>music, and they will always marvel at its beauty, its variety, its depth of
>heart, its passion, and the inner calm intelligence of its vision. God bless
>and keep our great friend, Ray Charles Robinson.."
>
>Michael Lydon, author of "Ray Cbarles, Man and Music"
>
>
>
>  
>
>>The great Ray Charles passed away today as hopefully most of you know.  I
>>    
>>
>will be doing a tribute hour on my blues radio show on monday evening from
>10pm to 11pm PDT.  My show runs from 9pm to midnight.  I will devote the
>middle hour to Mr. Charles.  Perhaps more than just an hour depending on how
>much time I have to prepare a show worthy of the great talent of the man.
>  
>
>>Those interested in listening to the show can find it on the web at;
>>    
>>
>www.kfsr.org
>  
>
>>regards,
>>Roger Gonzales
>>
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