Search - Johnnie Ray :: Live at London Palladium

Your opportunity to hear Johnnie Ray live

patricia m dryburgh | 02/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This collection is a live performance, as indicated by the cover title. Johnnie sings some of his most well-known hits to an enthusiastic audience and keeps the energy going. What makes this collection interesting to me is that we are able to get a real sense of what it was like to be there with the audience, listening to this very soft-spoken yet dynamic entertainer. The pacing is great and he draws us in so that we feel that we are there. Of course,"Cry" is included but so are some ballads, as well as some very upbeat, gospel-influenced offerings. I enjoy this album because it is a rare opportunity to hear the reaction of an audience to this very likeable and talented performer. His deference to the audience is refreshing."

That tornado--Johnnie Ray !!!

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 05/16/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Want to treat yourself to a great CD full of classic pop vocals? Look no further--this one's IT! This is a very well done recording of Johnnie Ray thrilling his audience with his exceptional charm and talent at the prestigious Palladium Theater in London. Johnnie wowed the audience that night--and on many other occasions, too!



Oh sure, this recording has the usual minor imperfections that a live recording usually has. For example, there is that "popping" sound whenever Johnnie sang too close to the microphone. But you know what--Who cares? It's great material performed passionately from the heart. In fact, the audience reacts so enthusiastically it's a miracle they let Johnnie ever leave the stage!



Despite the fact that this is a short performance coming in at just over 32 minutes long, you get the complete and unedited song set and Johnnie sings eleven songs. Of course, Johnnie sings the song he was well known for entitled "Cry;" but you also get a powerfully delivered rendition of "Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone" in addition to "As Time Goes By." I also enjoyed the song called "The Little White Cloud That Cried." Johnnie's song set ends with another dynamically delivered performance of "I'm Gonna Walk And Talk With My Lord." Awesome! Johnnie is not remembered the way he should be remembered for all his fine contributions to the arts.



The liner notes are excellent, too! There are pictures of record album covers and there's a sweet essay from the heart by Johnnie himself. You get four nice black and white photographs of Johnnie including one taken of him singing and playing the piano as he performed this song set at The Palladium. The liner notes also include a review by Jack Marshall of The New Musical Express about how Johnnie wowed them with POW! that night at The Palladium. Lyrics are not written out for us; but Johnnie sings so clearly that you won't need them.



In short, this CD is a magnificent recording of Johnnie Ray live in concert when he was really beginning to hit his stride. His performance is solid and electric; and the screaming young ladies in the audience are ample proof of that!



I highly recommend this CD for fans of Johnnie Ray who want to hear him as he sounded live in concert; fans of classic pop vocals and people who want an EXHILARATING introduction to the talents of Johnnie Ray. This one's a keeper! Enjoy!

"