No Boundaries

Johnny Rawls | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 1, 2005)
• Original Release Date: August 23, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Top Cat Records
• ASIN: B000A2H36M
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #291,068 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Johnny really reached his peak of eloquence, many believe, after starting up his own Deep South Soul label and connecting with Texas music veteran Bob Trenchard for the No Boundaries album (2005). This release made an extra-huge impression on critics and listeners of blues radio - don't bet against No Boundaries placing high in the upcoming Blues Revue survey on the "best" albums of the first decade of the 2000s. --Frank John Hadley, Downbeat Magazine, 2007 Blues Foundation Award for Journalism

Product Description

The combination of Johnny Rawls, a consummate blues man with his strong, soulful voice and The Rays known for their eclectic smokin' hot blend of jazz, funk, roots rock and blues makes for a powerful listening experience. While Kay Kay and the Rays broke up in 2004, Rawls talked Rays bassist/songwriter Bob Trenchard into reuniting the band for "No Boundaries" which was recorded in Texas and Memphis and also features Memphis artists Jackie Johnson and Reba Russell on background vocals. Rawls discovered the Rays in 1999 and produced their first CD, "Texas Justice" which was selected one of the top 25 blues releases for 2001 in the 9th Annual Real Blues Awards.

Rawls is a four-time nominee as Male Soul Vocalist for the W. C. Handy Award, the blues equivalent of a Grammy. His previous recordings are in the classic soul style of the Stax and Hi Records hits from the 60's and 70's. With "No Boundaries" Rawls and the Rays break new ground, going beyond traditional soul/blues by blending elements of gospel, jazz, funk, roots rock and country with his classic soul style.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rawls Best By Far, September 7, 2005

By 

A California Music Fan - See all my reviews

This review is from: No Boundaries (Audio CD)

Johnny Rawls took a risk in going beyond his trademark Memphis soul sound when he recorded No Boundaries. This album is very eclectic with music as wide-ranging as gospel, funky blues, jazzy blues, New Orleans blues, Chicago blues and roots rock as well as his more familiar soul-blues. Johnny Rawls discovered Kay Kay and the Rays in 1999. The collaboration with the Rays not only works, it is his best album by far. The thing that ties everything together is his great voice along with his expressive delivery of each song.

Since the songs average over 6 minutes, it may not be radio-friendly but it is the best blues cd I have heard this year. The CD is dedicated to the memory of the wife of Bob Trenchard, Ray's songwriter; the recurring themes are death, despair, redemption and hope. Five songs have a gospel theme or are gospel-tinged and all have superb backing vocals by Memphis singers Jackie Johnson and Reba Russell. However, each of the five are very different songs. Show Me The Way is funky soul with a smoking sax solo and powerful chorus. Keep The Faith is more traditional gospel with churchy B-3 and piano and also a powerful choir-like chorus. Fallen Bird sounds like a Mark Knopfler composition with a loping country feel but, again, with the big chorus. Long Black Car has a funky New Orleans groove, sounding like something from Fats Waller or Professor Longhair. The ending ballad, Even Though You're In Heaven, is perfectly executed by Rawls and the band, building to an emotional finish.

As for the other songs, Train Keep Rolling is a more or less traditional blues shuffle but with big horns and nice bridge chord changes. I Won't Give Up is very authentic coming from an underrated performer who has been on the road for 30 years; it is similar to style of Marvin Gaye at the end of his career, very nice arrangement and another powerful chorus. Never Found A Smoking Gun and Nothing Lasts Forever are as close to Rawls' soul-blues sound as it gets here. The first has a really nice, big horn chart, an angry Albert Collins style lead and chitlin' circuit lyrics and the latter is funky, jazzy soul with a stellar, long sax intro by Andy Roman, another strong horn chart and a solid, in the pocket groove. The thing that these nine songs have in common is they are all strong songs, performed by one of the best singers around today, backed by one of the best bands in any genre. Highly recommended.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Album, September 5, 2005

By 

A fan "Sam" (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: No Boundaries (Audio CD)

A wonderful album. It is by far the Ray's best work to date. Not only was the production top notch but the vocals and songwriting is really what makes the album soar. Bass player, Bob Trenchard again brings out his versatile/eclectic style of writing with a combination of blues, jazz, soul, gospel and a little rock. His lyrics with the combination of Johnny Rawls' warm, soulful voice makes this album perfect for any blues and roots lover. The music goes from a dynamic opener "Show Me the Way", to the heartfelt gospel of "Keep the Faith". All songs you can listen to over and over. Also noteworthy is the finale, Trenchard's ..."Even Though You're in Heaven" which reduces one to tears as you feel the loss he writes about. It is an album that leaves nothing to be desired. I love it!

1.0 out of 5 stars Johnny R. does Jesus Rock, April 15, 2010

By 

B. Johnson "audiophile" (Twin Cities) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: No Boundaries (Audio CD)

Beware, while the music is nice and professionally played by the Rays, this isn't the Johnny Rawls of his previouw albums. First, it seems he doesn't play guitar on this one. Second, he didn't write the songs. Third, and worst, is many of the lyrics are what you'd hear on Jesus Rock stations. This isn't the good old badboy Johnny singing his catchy blues and jump blues songs about woman trouble, hot ladies, etc. and playing that great lead guitar with the tight band.