This project is something very close to my heart because it brings together a lot of people from different parts of the music communities and celebrates the uncelebrated. I feel this was a dream that every musician that was a part of it helped to make come true. There is no question in my mind that nothing like it on it's scale has ever happened in the Northwest - twenty five musicians, world class specialized arrangements for the the vocalists done by world reknown arrangers, and the entire Oregon Symphony at the largest and most beautiful concert hall in Portland - and might I add, very well attended. This was much more than a show, and a segment of Portland history was made in this coming together that will never be forgotten. This show was and is a celebration of our music talent here in Portland, Oregon on a level that I feel it should be shown on. I challege you to celebrate and not marginalize the depth of the talent inside of you and right in front of you. Anything is possible if you just work together. God bless! - Patrick Lamb
A NW Tribute to Ray Charles was born after the world lost a great treasure in music, the late Ray Charles. Saxophonist Patrick Lamb was inspired to produce a tribute to this musical genius after seeing a nationally televised show featuring many notable national musicians. He was inspired to feature the rich NW music community and the talent it has to offer. This has now become A NW Tribute to Ray Charles.
Saxophonist Patrick Lamb and trumpeter Thara Memory used as their model, ‘O Genio – Live in Brazil,’ a recently discovered film of a Ray Charles concert and rehearsal televised in Sao Paolo in 1963 when Ray, then 33 years old, was in his prime.
The show was originally produced for a one time only performance at the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, and it became one of the highlights of the 2005 festival. Bob Ancheta from KINK fm102 comments, “The Ray Charles Tribute was the highlight of the 2005 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, showcasing Portland’s finest talent on one stage.†The Cascade Blues Association awarded the Ray Charles Tribute the 2005 Muddy Award for Best Performance of the Year.
Patrick Lamb was once again inspired by the energy which this performance has generated and decided take The Ray Charles Tribute into the studio to record a CD. In February of 2006 The Ray Charles Tribute recorded, “Let The Good Times Roll†A NW Tribute To Ray Charles.
“Patrick Lamb has brought together the very best of a rich and vibrant Portland music scene,†says Don Campbell, music writer and Portland musician.
“This project has lit the light in people’s eyes, shown us what we can do together and truly highlighted the depth of Portland talent,†says Lamb. “Represented on the disc are the respected stalwarts, the upcoming new talent, the past, the present and some of the future.
The CD features vocalists Andy Stokes, Norman Sylvester, Duffy Bishop, Patrick Lamb, Kristina Michelle, ‘Sweet Baby’ James Benton, Linda Hornbuckle, Lee Garrett, Olivia Warfield, Gretchen Mitchell and Paul deLay; horns Dave Mills, Thara Memory, Stan Bock, Dan Brewster, Reggie Houston, Tim Bryson, Renato Caranto, Steve Cannon and Patrick Lamb; and rhythm Anthony Jones, Gene Houck, Eddie Martinez, Janice Scroggins, D.K. Stewart, Peter Dammann and George Mitchell.
“These musicians pay tribute not only to Brother Ray, but to this community – past, present and future,†says Campbell.
Live performances of “A NW Tribute to Ray Charles†have already headlined four Oregon Food Bank fund-raisers: the 2006 Safeway Waterfront blues Festival; the 2005 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival; BLUES for KATRINA, an all-day concert that raised funds through America’s Second Harvest for Gulf Coast hurricane relief; and the 2005 Oregon Harvest Dinner, a fund-raiser for Oregon Food Bank. In addition the show kicked off the Portland Trail Blazer’s 2005-2006 season, and a fundraiser for Thara Memory’s music education program.
Hey everybody, here's a great national review we received yesterday, and it is also sent out to over 70,000 subscribers. Check it out!
Patrick
A BluesWax Reprint
This review originally ran in BluesWax on February 22, 2007
Various Artists
Let The Good Times Roll: A NW Tribute To Ray Charles
BluesWax Rating: 9 out of 10
Ray’s Spirit In The Evergreens
As somebody who is not crazy about tribute albums, this album celebrates the artist with a great vibe. This record doesn't try to recreate Ray Charles' music, this record recreates Ray Charles' spirit.
Patrick Lamb and Thara Memory put the project together with an all-star cast of musicians from the Pacific Northwest. Each musician brings their "A" game on these songs. Olivia Warfield and Paul DeLay kick off the festivities with "Hallelujah, I Love Her So." This song romps through with a fiery energy that includes a burning harp solo followed by Steve Cannon blowing gasoline out of his trumpet. Warfield and DeLay sing back and forth with great confidence.
"Hard Times" eases everyone back a little while Kristina Michelle sounds great on the vocals and Patrick Lamb slides in a slick sax solo. What else would make Charles forget his "Hard Times"? How about "I've got a Woman"? I like these two songs back to back. Andy Stokes has a spry vocal delivery for the fun, upbeat song.
Linda Hornbuckle sings a deep, touching version of "Georgia On My Mind." This is a beautiful recording of an often over-recorded song. The horns blaze into "Let The Good Times Roll" allowing Patrick Lamb to take over the vocal duties. "Come Back Baby" has great vocals by Sweet Baby James Benton; at times he reminds of Rufus Thomas with his vocal inflections.
"You Don't Know Me" slows things down for Duffy Bishop to swoon the fireside song. It has the romantic, sitting-by-the-fireside-with-your-loved-one kinda feel. Then to close the album out Janice Scroggins pumps the ivories on "What I Say." And the tempo keeps aflame as DK Stewart sits at the piano and Lee Garrett hollers out the "Mess Around." The horns are right on on this song and you can't help but jump up with Garrett as he messes around. This is one of the most fun songs I've heard in awhile.
The music here is great for any music fan. This album is also for a good cause donating part of the proceeds to the Oregon Food Bank. The musicians played the tribute at the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland, Oregon, which sets the admission at $8 and two cans of food. Touted as the largest Blues festival west of the Mississippi, you can bet that this was a performance worth seeing. Not only is the festival great every year, the price and donation are well worth it.
This disc is great music with the proceeds helping a great organization and with the memories of one of the classic performers. Lamb and Memory did an excellent job assembling the musicians together to truly put their all into this effort. Mr. Charles, you are missed, but these musicians know how to keep your spirit intact.
Kyle M. Palarino is a contributing editor at BluesWax
Copyright Visionation, Ltd 2007. All Rights Reserved with limited rights offered to artist and their agents for publicity purposes only with proper citation to BluesWax, BluesWax.com, or www.blueswax.com.
BluesWax is the largest Blues publication in the world. It is delivered via email to more than 70,000 subscribers around the world each week. It is only sent to subscribers and maintains a strict privacy policy and never shares its subscribers' information; just the Blues in your box each week. You may subscribe at www.blueswax.com.
