Don Ray Band

For our readers of Southern Fried Magazine, I’ve already had the pleasure of reviewing Don Ray’s second album, “Lonesome Rider” and his DVD release, “Live in Nashville.” To top that, I personally met Don and the band in Nashville, June 2010 at the annual Jam-A-Que. I consider Don, beyond being a great singer, songwriter and musician…a friend to our magazine.



With that being said, it is so rewarding doing a review on his current release, “Full Throttle”. For this record Don wanted to capture the Muscle Shoals soul sound and in doing so, made some changes in the lineup of the band. Hammond B-3 organist/piano player, Jonathan Armstrong is a holdover from the last 2 CD’s and is joined by Will McFarlane on acoustic and electric guitars. Will’s son, Jamie plays bass who is affectionately known as part of “The Bandito Brothers Rhythm Section” with drummer and percussionist, Justin Holder. Helping on background vocals is Cindy Richardson Walker, Rachel Robinson and Michael Pyle. Many of our readers will recognize Will McFarlane for his work with Bonnie Raitt.


The shift in musical direction came about when Don and Jonathan started writing songs for this album and with Armstrong’s heavy keyboard presence it was to Don, reminiscent of the rhythm and blues/soul/blues sound of early Muscle Shoals music. Don went on to say, “It’s a departure from the harder rock sound to a more soulful sound. This fits Will McFarlane so well.”


The CD starts with a rousing kickoff, “This Is Our House”, sure to easily be identified in many people’s minds with their favorite Saturday night place to let it all hang out. In fact, our editor Teri felt it would be a great theme song for this year’s Jam-A-Que. The song makes you want to get up and par- tay!


The title track, “Full Throttle” to me, and my wife Donna, has a touch of Eagles in it…a bit of “Life in the Fast Lane” with Joe Walsh like guitar and Don even sings, “so I been in the fast lane since I was in my teens."


After listening to the CD several times I had to ask Don how much of it was autobiographical and his response was, “a huge piece of me in every song but the most autobiographical song are”……At this point, I will add Don’s feedback to reviewing other songs on the CD.


The third track is titled, “Daniels and Caine” and Don commented, “true story about a big biker named Orlando from my early eighties Austin days.” That song is followed by a rocker, “Bad Decisions” which to me has a bit of a Bob Seger feel to it. Don explained to me, “who isn’t that a story about at one time or another.”
I believe the fifth track on the CD, “Morningside Ave.” is the highlight of the record; it is brilliant. Don recalled to me, “a true life recollection and appreciation”. The final verse of the song surely captures the sentiments in the song with:


“Learned how to be a man, learned about love.
Learned how to live free, why I need to pray to God above
…on Morningside Ave”.

The song has a terrific groove and for a week or so it was just nagging at me, it had a feel I heard before, and I finally remembered Curtis Mayfield’s masterpiece, “Freddy’s Dead”. Don’s writing on “Morningside Ave”, in my humble opinion, is worthy of a listen by those who nominate songs for Grammys.


“Morningside Ave” is followed by “Suicide Girl” which is in Don’s word, “about a conversation I had with a young lady in a tattoo studio. It’s actually a positive song about killing off demons, not oneself”.


“My Rush” gets the CD back to rockin’ and like the opening track, “This is Our House”, could easily become a favorite of every juke joint that we all go to. Include the next to last tack, “All Get Together” into that mix, and it will be one heck of a night!


Finishing up with Don’s insight to me is “Road to Nashville”, which Don said, “true through and through with a tiny bit of window dressing in the second verse” and for the closer of the CD, “The Clown”, Don chimed in, “I think every ent - Southern Fried Magazine

"Full Throttle" marks the 3rd album I have received from the Don Ray Band, of which I felt the first, "On Top Of The Heap" was exceptional enough to get my #2 position in my 2009 Year End Review in the category of Top 25 Albums 2009. I also chose it as Best American Blues Album in that Review, as well. "Lonesome Rider" was their Sophomore release, and although I quite liked it, it was, for me, not quite as good as their Debut. That being said the Don Ray Band has, with the release of "Full Throttle", once again caught my full and undivided attention.

With the release of "Full Throttle", the Don Ray Band continue the only way they know how, and that is with Straight Up In Your Face Blues and Southern Style Rock.

For "Full Throttle", Don Ray brings us a new incarnation of his band, which now consists of members, Will McFarlane (Guitar), Jamie McFarlane (Bass), Jonathan Armstrong (Keyboard), and Justin Holder (Drums). In addition to playing Guitar, Will McFarlane produced "Full Throttle" with Don Ray. In addition to the band, they also have a great group of Background Vocalists which for this album included, Cindy Richardson Walker, Rachel Robertson, and Michael Pyle. No Don Ray Band production is complete without it's lineup of great Background Vocalists.

"Full Throttle" consists of 10 Tracks of all new originals written or co-written by Don Ray. The co-writers on "Full Throttle" included Jonathan Armstrong (6 Tracks), Curt Ryle (2 Tracks), Tony Paoletta (1 Track), and Will McFarlane (1 Track).

3 for the road, my 3 favorites...

Track 1 "This Is Our House", Track 5 "Morningside Ave.", and Track 7 "My Rush".

Track 1 "This Is Our House" is pure Don Ray Band from beginning to end as it grinds out not only the great Vocals, but also the superb music behind the Vocals. This one makes you feel like getting in the old car and heading for the open highway, rolling down the windows and turning the music up high.

Track 5 "Morningside Ave.", was a slower Track, but it is the one that not only showed off Don Ray's amazing Vocals, but also his superb talent as a Songwriter. As always great Background Vocals as well.

Track 7 "My Rush", is another example of what makes the Don Ray Band sound so addictive, with Don Ray clearly and concisely doing his magic with Vocals and the rest of Band following in step with their own creative magic. Great Guitar work, Great Keyboards, Great everything. It is one of the songs among many on "Full Throttle", for which Don Ray shows us why his is considered one of the finest Vocalists around.

The Don Ray Band may certainly be a bit more Southern Rock than Blues, but I really don't care, because the music they lay on the line has always been consistently great, of which "Full Throttle" is no exception. Like all previous releases, their music comes at you with no compromises, just pure unique and creative energy.

"Full Throttle", as with all previous releases from the Don Ray Band, gets my highest rating of 5*****. Don Ray and his band have and will continue to be, the real deal.

Review by John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)
http://www.bluesundergroundnetwork.com/

Listen To Samples Here...

Additional Artist Info... http://www.donrayband.com/
- Blues Underground Network

DON RAY BAND/On Top Of The Heap
-This Nashvillian has a growling, bluesy, bruiser delivery. On the title tune to his current CD, he is a working-class moaner with more than a little Southern-rock punch. For some grins, spin "Perfect Ten," wherein he digs a fat chick to a rocking backbeat. "So Wicked" is voodoo swamper. "Boom Chika Wah Wah" and "Good Bad Boy" are irresistibly sexy. Heck, this whole album rawks. I bet these guys are great live.
Robert K. Oermann – Music Row Magazine • January 5, 2011 - Music Row Magazine

The Don Ray Band's mission statement is "Music with a blues feel that tells a country story and throws in a big rock and roll hell yeah!" Now don't go thinking this is "Country Blues", 'cause it isn't. Musically, this is good old raunchy and rockin' blues at it's best, it's the all original lyrics that tell the country stories.

Since he usually does his singing through a mic behind the drum set, "On Top Of The Heap" is Don Ray's first undertaking on which he's left the sticks behind and performs as the up front vocalist. Joining him are: Curt Ryle on acoustic guitar, electric guitar solos and lap steel guitar; Gary Smith on piano and keyboards; Steve Bryant on bass; Steve Brewster on drums and percussion; Troy Lancaster and Mike Durham on electric guitar; Annette Donald, Wanda Jordan-Barnett and Terra Allen on background vocals.

On the opening track, the bands not just taking "The High Road", but they're taking it in high gear, with the petal to the metal, as well. This smoker features some red hot rhythm, led by savage drum work from Steve. It's quite obvious that since Don was vacating the position, he wasn't turning the kit over to just anyone.

Blues purists are going to be in their glory - as I was - while listening to "I Might Just Say Goodbye". With the rest of the band locked into one of those grooves that puts you into a trance, this one is all about the scorching guitar riffs and the intense and soulful vocals. Don and Curt are absolutely amazing on this one. If this isn't the discs best track, then I can't wait to find the one that is.

Once again, it's the rhythm section that's impressing me here. Both Steve's are at discs best on drums and bass, and together with Gary's work on the organ and the wonderful work of the background singers, they're all just "So Wicked" together. This one may very well put a spell on you.

"Good Bad Boy" is one of those rockin' sing-a-long type songs which contain the lyrics that live audience's love and that country hits are made from. There's no question in my mind that when he plays this one at his live shows, Don's got most of the audience up on their feet, shaking their bodies and simultaneously shouting out the chorus line along with him.

Obviously telling a true story, with very real and warm lyrics, Don pays tribute to his wife first, then his daughter, all while using the same words. Although he actually knows the answer, it seems he's still speculative as to "How a man at 200 pounds and over six feet tall, could be "Wrapped Around A Finger" that small" Don's enthusiastic vocals, and very well written lyrics steal this one.

You are a "Perfect Ten". Now that's not just the title of the song, it's Dons answer to that question that every man in a relationship has been asked.... "Do you like what you see or does my butt look big in these jeans". This track is the bands mission statement in full swing. Don and the background singers are singin' their hearts out while the band is kickin' out some rockin' blues.

"How Much Of This Is Love" is a catchy retro tune on which Don Ray and his Rayettes will have you thinking of your favorite sixties singing groups. Once again, as it has been on pretty much most of the tracks, the vocals - lead and backup - along with the percussion, are profound.

Other tracks on "On Top Of The Heap" include: "I Can't Find My Angel", "Boom Chika Wah Wah", "Barbecue And Beans", and "On Top Of The Heap".

"On Top Of The Heap" could possibly be one of the most well rounded discs I've listened to in some time. Right from the first to the last track, it had it going on vocally, musically and lyrically.

You've really got to get over to www.donrayband.com and check them out. Once you give a few of the tracks a listen, I'm sure you'll want to hear more. And one more thing, after you buy the disc, make sure you tell Don that the Blewzzman sent ya.



Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro
Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com

- mary4music.com

Sitting on the porch drinking a beer listening to the Don Ray Band will become a favorite past time of fans. Although I have listened to the CD and find different nuggets each time I listen, Poison is the standout track to my ears. Something a bit different than the other tracks and more Southern Rock with slide guitar the way we love it. The next track, Gone Nowhere, follows in the same vein and comes together in tour de force of Southern Rock.

The Don Ray Band has loads of professional talent in both the studio and on stage so the influences are made into their own unique form. You won’t hear much more professional musicians than these folks. As for the music, it is a mix of many styles but holds true to the roots of the bands influences.

With Don Ray and his cast of talented band mates he has transposed their influence in a very subtle way as well and is walking the same path, with some finely crafted and performed songs. I wonder if this music will be too sophisticated for many southern rock fans with its influences that sounded to me like T-Bone Walker, George Benson, The Allman Brothers Band, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Delbert McClinton. But influences are just that, they help mould the sound that is the Don Ray Band, the subtle influences merge to form what is a fine CD by an excellent band.

You will very rarely hear an artist who offers such a variety of styles on one album, from down home Raising a Ruckus to lead off track The Trigger with its jazz influences, to the rocking southern rock of Lonesome Rider, to the blues of Love Is, to the jazzy sounding Ball and Chain this is music that just begs to be played over and over.

Vernon Tart


- puresouthernrock.com

Sitting on the porch drinking a beer listening to the Don Ray Band will become a favorite past time of fans. Although I have listened to the CD and find different nuggets each time I listen, Poison is the standout track to my ears. Something a bit different than the other tracks and more Southern Rock with slide guitar the way we love it. The next track, Gone Nowhere, follows in the same vein and comes together in tour de force of Southern Rock.

The Don Ray Band has loads of professional talent in both the studio and on stage so the influences are made into their own unique form. You won’t hear much more professional musicians than these folks. As for the music, it is a mix of many styles but holds true to the roots of the bands influences.

With Don Ray and his cast of talented band mates he has transposed their influence in a very subtle way as well and is walking the same path, with some finely crafted and performed songs. I wonder if this music will be too sophisticated for many southern rock fans with its influences that sounded to me like T-Bone Walker, George Benson, The Allman Brothers Band, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Delbert McClinton. But influences are just that, they help mould the sound that is the Don Ray Band, the subtle influences merge to form what is a fine CD by an excellent band.

You will very rarely hear an artist who offers such a variety of styles on one album, from down home Raising a Ruckus to lead off track The Trigger with its jazz influences, to the rocking southern rock of Lonesome Rider, to the blues of Love Is, to the jazzy sounding Ball and Chain this is music that just begs to be played over and over.

Vernon Tart


- puresouthernrock.com

You readers looking for a nice CD to put you in that real nice groove after a hard day's work, or better yet, tough week of work? It's Friday, ready to chill out, enjoy a cold brewskie? I've got the CD for you! The Don Ray Band's latest release, Lonesome Rider.

The band, who come from Nashville, has a nice mix of blues/jazz/southern rock on this CD. Their lineup is Don Ray – Producer, Singer / Songwriter, Curt Ryle – Producer, Songwriter, Guitarist and Nashville Session Bandleader, Jonathan Armstrong – Keyboards, Songwriter / Vocalist, Donnie Lee Clark – Guitarist, Songwriter, Vocalist, Mike Durham - rhythm guitar, Gary Smith - piano, Steve Bryant - bass, and Wayne Killius - drums. Durham steps out on solo guitar on a few tracks and Kelly Bamberger sits in on drums on the song, "Poison" and also contributes backup vocals.

The band released its first CD, On Top of the Heap in 2009 to much critical acclaim, Lonesome Rider, due to be released on August 17th is a terrific followup. The production/sound mix is very clean and crisp, making it a totally pleasurable listening experience.

"The Trigger", the opening track gets you right into that nice groove I mentioned above. Yes, sit back after getting that bottle cap off and enjoy a cold one. Tasty playing, not over the top, a nice feel, those guitar licks dancing in your head. I knew I was hooked after listening to the CD for a few days and while in bed last night, this song was still playing in my head.

The second track, "Monday Morning News" paints the perfect picture of many of our feelings when it's that time to start the work week.

The jazzy feel is present on the song, "Ball and Chain." This song too has that catchy hook that will have it ingrained in your brain in no time. The song also has a haunting feel to it, like remembering ex-lovers we have had. You recall the good times, but you just knew when it ended, it was best.

For you that like those uptempo songs and jump sound, "The Ruckus Room" will have you up on your feet bumping and shaking your booty and the beer will start flowing real nicely at that moment. Overall, there is a nice mix of blues and southern rock that will make listening to the entire CD a joy.

When I first listened to CD it reminded me of a little Johnny Lang, some Robert Cray, some Skynyrd, especially on track 11, "Gone Nowhere." Hard to pin down Don's singing, as to who he reminds me of, but his voice comes through loud and clear, every word easily picked up. Great job Don!

The title track, "Lonesome Rider", starts out with the sound of a Harley, which made me think of the late Hughie Thomasson of The Outlaws. Hey, if radio station DJs still had the freedom they had 20-25 years ago, the song would make a great segue with The Outlaws, "Ghost Riders in the Sky."

Pick up this CD now! Check out the band at www.donrayband.com and make sure when you're on the site to click on the tour schedule and go see them when they come to your town.

Hank "Hitman" Hart - southernfriedmagazine.com