Ray Charles - Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival

Starring:Ray Charles
Studio: Geneon [Pioneer]
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

There are few absolutes in this world, but Ray Charles, an artist to whom hackneyed terms like legend and genius actually do apply, is one of them. So even if more intimate venues are usually preferable to cavernous concert halls like Montreux's, any Ray is good Ray. Filmed in 1997, the 18-song, 73-minute show features Charles's big band visiting very familiar ground ("Busted," "What'd I Say," "I Can't Stop Loving You," and, of course, "Georgia on My Mind"), along with some less obvious choices (a swinging rendition of the Oscar Peterson instrumental "Scotia Blues" and a very funky "Watch Them Dogs," featuring the Raelettes). DVD bonus features include a text bio and timeline, but the unquestioned highlight is the voiceover track by the man himself, in which he offers anecdotes from the past, insight into specific songs, and a healthy dose of humor and soul. Great stuff. --Sam Graham

Product Description

Ray Charles has experienced a longevity in the music business that is nothing short of astounding. Thrilling audiences with his unique mix of rock, R&B, and soul since the 1950s, Mr. Charles is a true legend. This performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival finds Mr. Charles in fine form as he plays some of his best loved material.

Customer Reviews:

Overall a good concert!.......2006-12-29

I enjoyed this concert. The audio was fairly good although several horn solos were poorly recorded so they were barely audible. The camera angles must have been quite restricted because throughout the DVD the right side of the same 'bone player's face kept being shown. The Raylette's were fun to watch. The DVD featured a good number of tunes. I recommend it!

Genius at his best!.......2005-01-10

I was a fan of Ray's since childhood when my grandmother used to play his music all of the time. I didn't realize the genius of the man until I got older. The man played many instruments,including the sax, trumpet, and of course the piano that we associate with him, just to name a few. The Genius besides being an accomplished musician was also an accomplished music writer, arranger and producer. Watching this DVD concert left me wanting more and made me appreciate the genius of the man so much more. The concert was about 75 minutes long, but as the adage goes, "time flies when you're having fun", definitely applies here. He played alot of his standards and some classic pop standards from other artists with his special touches which make you think, "why didn't they do it that way"? My only complaint was I wished the concert could of been longer. There were some standards he didn't play that I was hoping to hear, but I guess when you're watching a concert of a musical genius who have a repetoir of over 600+ songs, you have to end it somewhere. Ray's performance in this concert will impress and his mastery of the keyboard synthesizer in this concert will bring tears to the eyes. The added treat to this DVD is the interview feature where he critiques his music, where he drew his inspiration, and why he did each song that way in the concert, and his views on music in general. One other additional feature I liked in this DVD/CD set is the timeline of the man and his many, many, accomplishments which was chronicled from his childhood, to when he became blind, the ooodles and ooodles of awards and accolades he accomplished throughout his career, just stopping short of his death. If you're a fan of the Genius, this DVD/CD set is a must have.

Where is Ray Charles.......2003-02-25

Boy, there sure is not eonugh of Ray Charles here. and i'm sure every one would agree with me that there needs to be more of ray charles here? What's up with that? That's the only complant i have. Other then that get this dvd, with the special edition we finily her what ray charles has to say.

Brother Ray.......2002-10-06

Great Performances Live that truly adds to His Legacy.His band is tight&Ray SOunds really strong on this Performance.digging the performance&everything included here on the DVD.Ray Charles is truly a Musical Standard. a must Dvd.

Ray Charles - Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival (W/CD)

Average customer rating:

Overall a good concert!
Genius at his best!
Where is Ray Charles
Brother Ray

Ray Charles - Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival (W/CD)
Starring: Ray Charles
Manufacturer: Geneon [Pioneer]
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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