| CD Review: Beyond Time - Ray Benson | |
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Reviewed by Jennifer Webb
Many country fans know that Ray Benson is the voice of Asleep At The Wheel, which is a group that has won multiple Grammy and other awards, yet know he has his very own debut album in the form of an eclectic mixture of sounds ranging from jazzy to what most know him for - swing. Despite his country sounding voice, he does the other types of songs with ease.
Ray Benson's voice seems like it would be suited for different types of music and on "Sorry," he sounds like he would be right at home taking the stage of a smoky bar with an audience of jazz or big band aficionados. The man feels that he did everything right, yet cannot understand how the woman could have been so unappreciative of his love and fondness for her.
"Maryanne" takes more of a rollicking rock and roll sound as Ray sings about wanting to be her number one fan, as well as her one and only man as he sings about not getting an answer from his messages on her answering machine. He wants to hurry and get her answer so he can go on ahead and start showing her how much he loves her. The guitar solo in the middle is wonderful and fits in perfectly at that point of the song, which is right before the guy re-declares his love and says he wants to be able to hold her hand.
More along the lines of the type of song Asleep At The Wheel does, yet not quite, "Let's Get Lost" is about wanting to be all along with a special loved one if that means taking a trip via boat or plane because they need to "find their way home." Sometimes you have to get away from it all and find something that might have been lost in the hustle and bustle of life.
"Leave That Cowboy" is, no doubt, my favorite track from Beyond Time, because not only does it sound energizing, but the guest vocalist is the legendary Dolly Parton. The sassy attitude she provides sounds great while she sings about a Texan cowboy with eyes and big as Texas, and Ray says she should leave him alone even though she has the urge to chase him down. Dolly sings "I'd like to corral him, rope and tie him down. Lace my brand upon him and pin him to the ground" while Ray continues to try talking her out of being interested in him because he knows it would end up in a mess.
Though I recognized the song the accordions were playing, I did have to laugh a little bit as Ray started singing a wonderful Tejano sounding version of Marty Robbins' "El Paso." The accordions make a nice accompaniment and his deep voice sounds exceptional as he sings the classic tune.
A splendid instrumental is found on "Ain't Chet Yet," which is entertaining in a subtle way even though the melody is pretty repetitive. Ray Benson has made no bones about liking different kinds of music, and although I was expecting Texas Swing or music like what Asleep At The Wheel would do, Beyond Time is enjoyable and easy to listen to.
Song List:
Album cover, used with permission of Lost Highway.
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