Beyond Time

Ray Benson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 24, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Koch Records
• ASIN: B00008OLZ8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #300,778 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wide variety from Asleep at the Wheel's main man, July 31, 2003

By 

hyperbolium (Earth, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Beyond Time (Audio CD)

Asleep at the Wheel's driving force and front man steps out for his very first solo album, composed almost entirely of original tunes, ranging widely from folk-styled country to jazzy R&B to electric blues and fully orchestrated pop. Benson shines on the upbeat and twangy blues numbers, but the ballads, and the soft-jazz changes of the Bill Wither's styled "Hands of Time," don't click fully.

This album hits a pair of high points with two half-spoken, half-sung blues originals, "Mary Anne" and "Clearing Up to Be Cloudy." The former features Mike Judge's slap bass, the latter showcases Delbert McLinton's duet vocal, and both are illuminated by Jimmie Vaughn's vintage Gibson ES-5. The lush Nelson Riddle styled "Sorry" shows off Benson's jazzy phrasings against a zesty horn chart, and "Let's Get Lost," sounds like a long-lost tin-pan alley tune, with a romantic lyric backed by horns and woodwinds.

Additional highlights include a duet with Dolly Parton on their co-written "Leave That Cowboy Alone," a novel Conjunto arrangement of Marty Robbins' "El Paso," and the acoustic, finger-picked "Ain't Chet Yet." Having minted his fame with the western swing of Asleep at the Wheel, it's refreshing to hear all the other sounds and styles tumbling around in Benson's head.

3-3/4 stars, if allowed fractional ratings.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have ..., June 27, 2003

By 

Kay Schneider (Unicoi, TN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beyond Time (Audio CD)

This CD is definitely a MUST have forall Asleep at the Wheel and Ray Bensonfans. While the selections are definitely not what I'd expect fromAsleep at the Wheel... they are exactlywhat I'd expect from a Ray Benson soloCD. If you've been to AATW shows youknow for sure that Ray is way more thanwestern swing.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars smooth as silk, August 7, 2003

By 

Ann C. Smith (Fort Wayne, Indiana United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beyond Time (Audio CD)

Ray Benson's seductive voice finally gets the prominence it deserves on this smooth effort. Asleep at the Wheel is a pleasure, of course, but Benson is a more than worthy solo performer. This collection of tunes spans many styles and includes fine instrumental contributions. Still, it's that velvety baritone that makes this well-constructed production so special. Some of the songs are a little simplistic, but it's easy to enjoy them just the same. I like to shuffle this with Suzy Boggus's Swing, which Benson produced. They're a great combination.