Featured
Review
What a wonderful way to
kick off Black History Month! The critically acclaimed bio-pic
Ray arrived on DVD on February 1st. The film Ray
details Ray Charles early years and his career rise and
the many struggles that he went through in both his personal
and professional life. Actor Jamie Foxx won a Golden Globe
award for his amazing role as Ray Charles. Jamie Foxx really
did become Ray Charles for this film. The film also stars
Regina King (Jerry McGuire, A Cinderella Story),
Clifton Powell (Woman Thou Art Loosed, Sugar Valentine),
Larenz Tate (Why Do Fools Fall In Love), and other
wonderful actors.
The DVD is very impressive. The DVD case is enclosed
in a shiny color protective slip cover. The DVD itself
includes two discs. Upon opening the case you might not
notice that there are two discs, but yes, the second disc
in in there. Disc one includes the theatrical version
and an extended version not shown in theaters. There are
a few extras on the first disc but the bulk of the extras
are on disc 2.
Disc two is filled with a plethora of extra’s and
bonus material. The most moving bonus feature is Walking
In Hist Shoes. This is a revealing look at Jamie Foxx’s
transformation into Ray Charles. There is also a short
little scene where you see Ray and Jamie at the piano.
It’s moving to see the two together. This short will
also let the people know who were not aware that Ray Charles
endorsed this film and Jamie Foxx portraying him. Ray
Remembered is another bonus feature–but it’s
too short! We see Quincy Jones, Jamie Foxx and a few others
paying tribute to Ray who passed away last year. However,
this short only lasted between 5-7 minutes.
If you enjoyed the performances in the film the DVD includes
complete uncut music performances from the moving, including
the performace for “Hit The Road Jack.” Disc
two also includes 14 never before seen deleted scenes.
Jamie Foxx won a Golden Globe for his role in the movie
Ray. He is nominated for an Academy Award also. He has
some stiff competition as he faces off with Don Cheadle
for his role in Hotel Rwanda and Leonardo DiCaprio
for his role in The Aviator.
Official Ray Website
Ray
Trailer Link
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More Music From Ray
The motion picture Ray brought the music of Ray
Charles to a whole new audience who may have missed some
of Ray Charles amazing music. With the exception of a
few songs, the bulk of the music on More Music From Ray
was originally recorded in the late 50's and 60's. The
CD opens up with the song "Leave My Woman Alone."
This early Ray Charles song songs great. Ray's voice was
much higher and smooth in his early years. So initially
upon listening to this song a new Ray Charles fan may
find themselves wondering, "Is this really Ray Charles?"
This song was originally recorded in August of 1956. The
song is followed up by the bluesy song, "Lonely Avenue,"
which is another Ray Charles song from the late 50's.
Ray Charles was very much inspired by the blues and it's
evident again in the song, "Losing Hand," where
Ray laments that he gambled on love and lost. The CD becomes
upbeat again with the song "I'm Moving On."
It is with the early 60's recording you can hear that
Ray's voice has began to change a little. Ray's music
can just touch your soul and the song "The Danger
Zone," is one of those that will put you in a real
mellow mood. Some of the songs have such a long musical
lead in, you will think that the entire song is instrumental
and then Ray will come in singing, like on the song, "Makin'
Whoopee."
More Music From Ray doesn't not include Ray's most
popular songs like "Hit The Road Jack," but
it does include other Ray Charles classics and his famous
rendition of "America The Beautiful." For the
other songs from the movie, check out the Music from Ray
CD. The More Music From Ray CD booklet includes an introduction
by the director of Ray Taylor Hackford. He gives
background on why certain songs were re-recorded and shares
some of his memories with working with Ray Charles.
There is new music on the CD too. There is a 2003 version
of the Ray Charles song "Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand,"
"Drown In My Own Tears/You Don't Know Me," and
"Everyday I Have The Blues" which is a song
by Chris Thomas King."
The More Music From Ray CD also comes with a special bonus
DVD. The DVD features performances from the Rhino Home
Video O-Genio.
More Music From Ray DVD List-
1. Don't Set Me Free
2. Carry Me Back To Old Virginny
3. O-Genio Trailer
CD Track List
1. Leave My Woman Alone
2. Lonely Avenue
3. Rockhouse Parts 1 &2
4. I Believe To My Soul
5. Losing Hand
6. But On the Other Hand Baby
7. Baby, It's Cold Outside
8. Danger Zone
9. Busted
10. Makin' Whoopee
11. Let's Go Get Stoned
12. Drifting Blues
13. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand
14. You Don't Know Me/Drown In My Own Tears
15. Every Day I Have the Blues
16. Heaven Help Us All
More
Music from Ray Listening Party
CD
Info and Order Page
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