Mondo Magneto

Brian Ray | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 2005)
• Original Release Date: October 25, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Whooray Records
• ASIN: B000BNM7JS
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #264,302 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

When Brian Ray decided to record his first solo CD, he didn’t have to look far for a supporting cast. The award winning songwriter for Smokey Robinson, guitarist and musical director for Etta James, now on tour as guitarist and bassist with Paul McCartney simply asked some of his mentors and friends to help him out. When he asked the legendary blues singer Etta James if she would sing with him on the CD her answer was simple – and immediate – “I’ll do anything for Brian.” Not surprising considering the bond the two had developed over the years Brian had spent as her musical director and guitarist. “She’s family to me, really,” he explains. The rest of the players were a few more of his best friends – Scott Shriner from Weezer, Davey Faragher from Elvis Costello’s band, Abe Laboriel, Jr., Wix Wickens and Rusty Anderson from Paul McCartney’s band all appear on the album with Brian. The collaborators? Oliver Lieber, Adam Cohen, Tonio K. The resulting album, Mondo Magneto, is filled with fresh, stylish songs whose lyrics and catchy melodies stay with you long after your first listening. It’s a pop record that rocks and a rock record with pop radio sensibility. “What was really fun for me about making this album,” Brian explains, “was that every person involved came into the studio and brought their own personality to the sessions. And that shows on the CD.”

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Brilliant Album, October 27, 2005

By 

Caroline (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mondo Magneto (Audio CD)

Brian Ray's debut album, Mondo Magneto, is a fantastic piece of work. So many different instruments, so many different sounds. So many different emotions conveyed through the lyrics. Each song has its own story; some funny, some sad. Brian has a very versatile voice, able to express pain, longing, wit, irony and lots more besides.
All the songs are terrific but stand out tracks are:
IF YOU'RE LEAVING ME - a beautiful but sad song where the guitar, reflecting the lyrics, sounds so lonely.
ANYWHERE BUT HOME - very strong vocal and poignant lyrics.
SOFT MACHINE - a duet with the legendary Etta James. You know before the verse starts that this is going to be a great song. The voices blend perfectly.
GOOD FOR NOTHING - when you hear the music, it feels like it's going to be an upbeat, happy song but it isn't...I like that contrast - it kind of reflects the mood of the lyrics and the use of the word `good' in a song that isn't really about `good'.

I like the fact the lyrics are part of the packaging. The booklet is informative as it tells you which guitars are being played for each song - obviously, with Brian's background, the guitar work is outstanding throughout the album, whether it be subtle and soft or at its rocking loudest!
Mondo Magneto is a brilliant album. It has been created with care and dedication and it comes from the heart. It will appeal to anyone who likes classic rockers, fresh sounding pop/rock or sentimentalists who just love a good ballad! I can't recommend it highly enough. Brilliant!!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lots of fun, December 28, 2005

By 

kb6 "kb6" (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mondo Magneto (Audio CD)

I found this album to be fun to listen to from the first playing. There is a throw-back sort of sound to it, and though of a different style, the clever twists of phrase built into the lyrics reminded me a bit of Tom Petty. And the guitar is great, as expected from a musician of this level. (Includes great drumming throughout as well.)

Stand outs for me included:

"I liked you better" (who hasn't sobered up and then wondered how they were ever attracted to someone the night before?)

"Going down swingin' " : this one is a lot of fun, about a `bad to the bone' couple, who live hard and fast --in the great traditions of hard rock, with maybe a touch of rockin' redneck thrown in...

"Soft machine" : I assume that this is a reference to the book of the same title(?) by one of the Beats. Etta swirls her earthy sexy magic around this and raises it to another level. Great blend of voices.

"Anywhere but home" This is my personal favorite -- again, who hasn't just wanted to take off and run away from all of the tangled relationships that sometimes go hand in hand with "home"?

One note: another review spoke of the song "Coming up roses" and seems to have missed the point -- the prince is obviously George W. and it's a political satire.

Overall, a really good listen that bears a lot of repeat play very, very well!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mondo Magneto, March 12, 2006

By 

Louis F. (Long Island, New York) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mondo Magneto (Audio CD)

Brian Ray (Paul McCartney's rhythm guitar/bass player) has given us a very good first effort. He has a sense of humor which produces interesting twists ("I Liked You Better" - my favorite song on the album). He is an outstanding guitarist and an excellent song writer. His songs rock! He has a nice singing voice but can be a bit "breathy" at times. Definitely worth listening to...