The Movie Ray : Thoughts and Comments

[puma]

  I just finished watching Ray, the movie about Ray Charles starring Jamie Foxx, and I was impressed.  A lot of the history behind the man who combined Gospel and Blues, and a lot of great tunes.  I don't want to give away the movie for anyone, but I recommend it to anyone who wants to see a good "music" movie.

[Siberian Husky]

awesome movie...

[MTS_JSOT]

I don't want to give away the movie for anyone, but I recommend it to anyone who wants to see a good "music" movie.

It's a good movie period! lol, I loved this film alot. I'm definately going to get it on DVD

[puma]

  The opening song is KILLER!  Just learned it on the piano - it's a 12 bar blues - I'm pretty sure it's Unchain My Heart but can't say for certain.  It's got that real bluesy intro that's to die for.  If you like blues, you have to see this movie.  I'd say half of the songs are blues piano!

[lenny]

how good a pianist was ray himself?

[puma]

Judging from his music and the movie I saw, I'd say he was pretty damn good - pretty sure that he was trained classically, then moved on to popular.  But he could play jazz, country, and blues all on the piano.  I think that earlier in his career you can hear more of his virtuosity until his stuff was overproduced, henceforth less piano.

[puma]

And speaking of Ray Charles, he just won grammy for album of the year!

[PianoStudentReady2Perform]

I just watched it yesterday.. one of the greatest movies I've seen in a long time.  If Jamie Foxx doesn't win the oscar for best actor then there's something really wrong with these people.  His acting was not only phenominal, but he sang and even played piano quite well in the movie, and even looked just like him!  I didn't realize all the horrible stuff Ray Charles went through and the odds he had to beat to get to where he got to be.  This is such a fantastic movie.

[rlefebvr]

Ray Charles was good enough that most pro players were scared to play for him, especially drummers.

His timing was incredible and he could spot a bad note anytime, anywhere.

I can still remember him treating Keith Richard like a school boy once, cause his playing was not up to par.

[lenny]

he was a musical genius but did he have a monster technique?

i heard him unleash a jazz improv on chopin's prelude 20, impressive stuff.

[athykay]

Wonderful movie.  It's sure to be up for a lot of awards.   I think he'll be neck to neck with Don Cheadle (Hotel Rwanda) for best actor.   You really did get the sense you were watching the real Ray. 

One of the things I love about good  music movies is that they open up  a whole new musical venue for throngs of people.  I for one never had too deep an appreciation for Ray Charles's music, but  the movie has piqued my interest, and consequently, I'll be pursuing it.  Amadeus did the same for Mozart, as the Pianist did for Chopin.  I bet his record sales with soar as a result of this film.

[lenny]

they have, he is number 1 at amazon last time i saw.

[ChristmasCarol]

Fabulous movie.  I saw Ray three times live in the Boston area.  When he was up, when he was down, and when he was back up again.  His last album has some great cuts on it.  Some that should have been on the cutting floor, but not because of him (I think the Willie Nelson number is .... expletive deleted).  What a master of technique!  I miss him.  The album was aptly named "Genius Loves Comapny".  Oh yeah!

[puma]

  Btw, the song in the opening credits (and mid-way through the movie) is What I'd Say.  Unchain My Heart is another song, but it has the same chord progression as What I'd Say, hence my mixing up the two.  They might even be in the same key, but don't quote me on that.

[silva]

I have about 50-60 of Rays Songs on Sheet music as I have been a huge fan of his for years..... I can only play a few

I can play What'd I Say in F but recently bought another real transcription in E
 Im working on Hard Times, my favourite song by him (I uploaded an mp3 on the site of my playing)

I can play a little of Georgia on My Mind, I have 3 versions

Im a Ray Charles Nut.... Even got his autograph on my wall  in my bedroom

- Silva

[Torp]

Even got his autograph on my wall  in my bedroom

- Silva

What was Ray doing in your bedroom??      

Jef

[beethoartok]

it was such a good movie.

[silva]

What was Ray doing in your bedroom??      

Jef

playing the piano of course....

- Silva