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The Eric Byrd Trio + 4: Brother Ray
ByIn conventional fashion, Byrd introduces the disc with an upbeat "Let the Good Times Roll," employing his four-horn section and making the resulting octet swing like a big band. Byrd expands this approach to include "I've Got News for You" and "Get on the Right Track Baby." Byrd recreates the Charles/Betty Carter duet with Lea Gilmore on "Baby It's Cold Outside," as bassist Bhagwan Khalsa inserts a brief solo before the warm closing choruses.
Byrd proves a capable balladeer on "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin'" and "You Don't Know Me." His piano style is two-fisted and effective. Byrd is not flashy, but proficient in a way that does not tax the jazz novice. Byrd is also quite the blues player, betraying hints of the late Gene Harris on "I Want a Little Girl." Brother Ray is an enjoyable tribute to the genius of the title. I almost hope that the tributes to Ray Charles stop here.
Track Listing
Let the Good Times Roll; Them That Got; Come Rain or Come Shine; I've Got News for You; Get on the Right Track Baby; Baby It
Personnel
Eric Byrd: piano, vocals; Bhagwan Khalsa: bass; Alphonso Young, Jr.: drums; Brad Clements: trumpet; Lyle Link: alto saxophone; Paul Carr: tenor saxophone; Chris Watling: baritone saxophone; Lea Gilmore: vocals; Frank McCreary: vocals.
Album information
Title: Brother Ray | Year Released: 2008 | Record Label: Self Produced
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