All Artists: Ray Benson Title: Beyond Time Members Wishing: 2 Total Copies: 0 Label: Koch Records Original Release Date: 1/1/2003 Re-Release Date: 6/24/2003 Genres: Country, Pop Style: Number of Discs: 1 SwapaCD Credits: 1 UPC: 684038816828 |
Ray Benson Beyond Time Genres: Country, Pop
Long, tall Ray Benson is usually in the driver's seat of Asleep at the Wheel as the hard-working, multi-Grammy-winning Western swing aggregation hurtles down the highway. But Benson changes musical vehicles with his first-... more » | |
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Amazon.com Long, tall Ray Benson is usually in the driver's seat of Asleep at the Wheel as the hard-working, multi-Grammy-winning Western swing aggregation hurtles down the highway. But Benson changes musical vehicles with his first-ever solo album, Beyond Time, opting for a more casual cruise down a variety of stylistic side roads. Benson wrote or co-wrote all of the songs but one, and most fall into the sentimental (if not outright romantic), jazz-tinged category. The opening "Sorry," for example, with its Nelson Riddle-style, strings-and-horns arrangement, serves notice that Benson has a different destination in mind and he explores it fully, bringing his baritone voice to bear on cool jazz numbers like "Let's Get Lost" (co-written with Willie Nelson) and folky social tunes such as "Small Town." The only cover here is one of the highlights, as Benson and accordion legend Flaco Jimenez offer a tasty Tex-Mex take on Marty Robbins's classic "El Paso." Other guests include jazz guitarist Stanley Jordan, blues singer Delbert McClinton, and guitarist Jimmie Vaughan. Best of all, however, may be "Leave That Cowboy Alone," a country collaboration with Dolly Parton, pedal-steel guitarist Lloyd Maines, and Austin's secret weapon, guitar-slinger Redd Volkaert. --Michael Point Similarly Requested CDs
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CD ReviewsBrother Ray Has Got The Goods! Ann C. Smith | 11/13/2003 (5 out of 5 stars) "Last weekend we saw Ray Benson perform at a small club in Washington, DC in an almost 2 hour concert Ray with Jason Roberts on fiddle & a bass player performed many selection from Beyond Time, Asleep at the Wheels new Alamo & new Live @ Billy Bob's CD's all three are terrific. As Ray states style wise Beyond Time is all over the musical map & that whats so great about it. Highlights for me included Sorry, El Paso, Annabelle, Aint' Chet Yet & Leave That Cowboy ALone with Dolly Parton. Ray is a pro's pro, and you won't go wrong on this CD." Wide variety from Asleep at the Wheel's main man hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 07/31/2003 (4 out of 5 stars) "Asleep at the Wheel's driving force and front man steps out for his very first solo album, composed almost entirely of original tunes, ranging widely from folk-styled country to jazzy R&B to electric blues and fully orchestrated pop. Benson shines on the upbeat and twangy blues numbers, but the ballads, and the soft-jazz changes of the Bill Wither's styled "Hands of Time," don't click fully.This album hits a pair of high points with two half-spoken, half-sung blues originals, "Mary Anne" and "Clearing Up to Be Cloudy." The former features Mike Judge's slap bass, the latter showcases Delbert McLinton's duet vocal, and both are illuminated by Jimmie Vaughn's vintage Gibson ES-5. The lush Nelson Riddle styled "Sorry" shows off Benson's jazzy phrasings against a zesty horn chart, and "Let's Get Lost," sounds like a long-lost tin-pan alley tune, with a romantic lyric backed by horns and woodwinds.Additional highlights include a duet with Dolly Parton on their co-written "Leave That Cowboy Alone," a novel Conjunto arrangement of Marty Robbins' "El Paso," and the acoustic, finger-picked "Ain't Chet Yet." Having minted his fame with the western swing of Asleep at the Wheel, it's refreshing to hear all the other sounds and styles tumbling around in Benson's head.3-3/4 stars, if allowed fractional ratings." A must have ... Kay Schneider | Unicoi, TN USA | 06/27/2003 (5 out of 5 stars) "This CD is definitely a MUST have forall Asleep at the Wheel and Ray Bensonfans. While the selections are definitely not what I'd expect fromAsleep at the Wheel... they are exactlywhat I'd expect from a Ray Benson soloCD. If you've been to AATW shows youknow for sure that Ray is way more thanwestern swing."
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