Customer Reviews

Beyond Time

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Last weekend we saw Ray Benson perform at a small club in Washington, DC in an almost 2 hour concert Ray with Jason Roberts on fiddle & a bass player performed many selection from Beyond Time,
Asleep at the Wheels new Alamo & new Live @ Billy Bob's CD's all three are terrific. As Ray states style wise Beyond Time is all over the musical map & that whats so great about it. Highlights for me included Sorry, El Paso, Annabelle, Aint' Chet Yet & Leave That Cowboy ALone with Dolly Parton. Ray is a pro's pro, and you won't go wrong on this CD.

Dolly Parton fans will definately be interested in this album. It contains the song "Leave That Cowboy Alone" which Dolly & Ray Benson originally wrote for their TV-movie Wild Texas Wind. The track is a definate highlight of this album. Also standing out amongst the other tracks is Benson's cover of the Marty Robbins classic "El Paso." Fans of the traditional Asleep @ The Wheel sound will be plesaantly suprised.