When Brian Ray decided to record his first solo CD, he didn?t have to look far for a supporting cast. The award winning songwriter for Smokey Robinson, guitarist and musical director for Etta James, now on tour as guitari... more »st and bassist with Paul McCartney simply asked some of his mentors and friends to help him out. When he asked the legendary blues singer Etta James if she would sing with him on the CD her answer was simple ? and immediate ? ?I?ll do anything for Brian.? Not surprising considering the bond the two had developed over the years Brian had spent as her musical director and guitarist. ?She?s family to me, really,? he explains. The rest of the players were a few more of his best friends ? Scott Shriner from Weezer, Davey Faragher from Elvis Costello?s band, Abe Laboriel, Jr., Wix Wickens and Rusty Anderson from Paul McCartney?s band all appear on the album with Brian. The collaborators? Oliver Lieber, Adam Cohen, Tonio K. The resulting album, Mondo Magneto, is filled with fresh, stylish songs whose lyrics and catchy melodies stay with you long after your first listening. It?s a pop record that rocks and a rock record with pop radio sensibility. ?What was really fun for me about making this album,? Brian explains, ?was that every person involved came into the studio and brought their own personality to the sessions. And that shows on the CD.?« less
When Brian Ray decided to record his first solo CD, he didn?t have to look far for a supporting cast. The award winning songwriter for Smokey Robinson, guitarist and musical director for Etta James, now on tour as guitarist and bassist with Paul McCartney simply asked some of his mentors and friends to help him out. When he asked the legendary blues singer Etta James if she would sing with him on the CD her answer was simple ? and immediate ? ?I?ll do anything for Brian.? Not surprising considering the bond the two had developed over the years Brian had spent as her musical director and guitarist. ?She?s family to me, really,? he explains. The rest of the players were a few more of his best friends ? Scott Shriner from Weezer, Davey Faragher from Elvis Costello?s band, Abe Laboriel, Jr., Wix Wickens and Rusty Anderson from Paul McCartney?s band all appear on the album with Brian. The collaborators? Oliver Lieber, Adam Cohen, Tonio K. The resulting album, Mondo Magneto, is filled with fresh, stylish songs whose lyrics and catchy melodies stay with you long after your first listening. It?s a pop record that rocks and a rock record with pop radio sensibility. ?What was really fun for me about making this album,? Brian explains, ?was that every person involved came into the studio and brought their own personality to the sessions. And that shows on the CD.?
CD Reviews
A Brilliant Album
Caroline | England | 10/27/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Brian Ray's debut album, Mondo Magneto, is a fantastic piece of work. So many different instruments, so many different sounds. So many different emotions conveyed through the lyrics. Each song has its own story; some funny, some sad. Brian has a very versatile voice, able to express pain, longing, wit, irony and lots more besides.
All the songs are terrific but stand out tracks are:
IF YOU'RE LEAVING ME - a beautiful but sad song where the guitar, reflecting the lyrics, sounds so lonely.
ANYWHERE BUT HOME - very strong vocal and poignant lyrics.
SOFT MACHINE - a duet with the legendary Etta James. You know before the verse starts that this is going to be a great song. The voices blend perfectly.
GOOD FOR NOTHING - when you hear the music, it feels like it's going to be an upbeat, happy song but it isn't...I like that contrast - it kind of reflects the mood of the lyrics and the use of the word `good' in a song that isn't really about `good'.
I like the fact the lyrics are part of the packaging. The booklet is informative as it tells you which guitars are being played for each song - obviously, with Brian's background, the guitar work is outstanding throughout the album, whether it be subtle and soft or at its rocking loudest!
Mondo Magneto is a brilliant album. It has been created with care and dedication and it comes from the heart. It will appeal to anyone who likes classic rockers, fresh sounding pop/rock or sentimentalists who just love a good ballad! I can't recommend it highly enough. Brilliant!!"
Lots of fun
kb6 | San Francisco, CA USA | 12/29/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I found this album to be fun to listen to from the first playing. There is a throw-back sort of sound to it, and though of a different style, the clever twists of phrase built into the lyrics reminded me a bit of Tom Petty. And the guitar is great, as expected from a musician of this level. (Includes great drumming throughout as well.)
Stand outs for me included:
"I liked you better" (who hasn't sobered up and then wondered how they were ever attracted to someone the night before?)
"Going down swingin' " : this one is a lot of fun, about a `bad to the bone' couple, who live hard and fast --in the great traditions of hard rock, with maybe a touch of rockin' redneck thrown in...
"Soft machine" : I assume that this is a reference to the book of the same title(?) by one of the Beats. Etta swirls her earthy sexy magic around this and raises it to another level. Great blend of voices.
"Anywhere but home" This is my personal favorite -- again, who hasn't just wanted to take off and run away from all of the tangled relationships that sometimes go hand in hand with "home"?
One note: another review spoke of the song "Coming up roses" and seems to have missed the point -- the prince is obviously George W. and it's a political satire.
Overall, a really good listen that bears a lot of repeat play very, very well!"
An Outstanding Rock Album!
Fiona | Ireland | 10/27/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm extremely picky about the music I listen to and it takes something really amazing to get my attention, but Mondo Magneto has barely left my CD player since I got it. The entire album rocks from start to finish. It's loud, melodic, vibrant, honest, raw, witty, powerful... The playing is fantastic throughout - you can tell the best of the best worked on this album, using the greatest gear. Brian's lyrics are honest and meaningful, and you just know that the words come from his heart. I love every single song on the album, but here are a few highlights...
VINYL: This song tells the story of a guy who drives across America in his dad's old car with his record collection in the trunk, only to have them all stolen away one night. It's a very retro sounding song that kicks off with a cool guitar intro.
SOFT MACHINE: This is my overall favourite track. I love it!!!!! It's a very sexy song. Etta James sings on it with Brian and her voice gives it a slightly bluesy feel. I can't describe how good this song is, you have to hear it. Strong lyrics with a sinister edge.
SUB ATOMIC: This is a great rocker with manic guitars and slick, punchy lyrics. "Where's my medication, liquid patience, for all occasions". Yeah!! This song is firmly stuck in my head!
IF YOU'RE LEAVING ME: Beautiful. Heart-breaking. Perfect. I get goosebumps listening to it.
ANYWHERE BUT HOME: This one gives me goosebumps, too. It's a very atmospheric song and actually made me cry the first few times I listened to it. The lyrics are very evocative and the guitars are heavy and loud. One of the best songs on the album.
Finally - the packaging with the CD is outstanding!! The warm pick colour is so eye-catching and the case and booklet have a luxurious and sexy feel. It adds the perfect finishing touch to a wonderful record!
"
Great Debut Album
hi13ts | 11/02/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"To tell you the truth, I would've never even think of looking at this album if Brian Ray hadn't been in McCartney's band. I saw Paul McCartney's Red Square DVD and there was this blonde guy who rocked out hard during "Get Back". So I looke around I saw his album. I found it at a retail store about a week ago, and I really like it. It's fit for mainstream music but it's harder than thos crappy "Power Pop" stuff. So it fits really well with rockers, or soft rock players. I am a blues player, and so I was really enticed by the song "Soft Machine". It has Etta James singing and ad-libbing in it, and it just sounds so powerful with a bluesy touch to it! The first track "Good for Nothing" has a really laid back tune to it that's really easy to fall in love with, and Coming Up Roses contains great lyrics, and a great melody. There are 2 ballads in this album, one called "All I know" and the other is "If You're Leaving Me". I especially liked "If You're Leaving Me" because Brain's normal raspy rocker voice comes down to a really soft tone. He really knows how to sing and can belt out notes just as good as McCartney. This was a surprisingly good album. Everybody should check this out, it's much better than "The Click Five" or "American Rejects" which claims to be "rock" but it's really just crap pop. Check this album out, you won't be sorry."
Mondo Magneto
Louis F. | Long Island, New York | 03/12/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Brian Ray (Paul McCartney's rhythm guitar/bass player) has given us a very good first effort. He has a sense of humor which produces interesting twists ("I Liked You Better" - my favorite song on the album). He is an outstanding guitarist and an excellent song writer. His songs rock! He has a nice singing voice but can be a bit "breathy" at times. Definitely worth listening to..."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1