Customer Reviews

Ray [Original Motion Picture Score]

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

 

 

After seeing this film, which had literally maybe five minutes of score, I wondered how an album could possibly be made from so little music. What we get will satisfy nobody. There are short cues from the film, with dialogue over them, alternating with lengthy pieces inspired by the film to fill out the running time.

Fans of the film have no need for this CD, since most of the music wasn't in the film, while fans of Armstrong's music will be disappointed by the intrusive dialogue. Why is it that, since Pulp Fiction, so many soundtrack producers think leaving dialogue over the music is somehow "cool." If I wanted that, I'd have just snuck a tape recoder into the theater. What film music fans like me want is to hear the music on its own.

A disappointment, though with some lovely pieces here and there.

As a filmmaker and film score enthusiast, I loved Craig Armstrong's score for RAY in the film -- but find the score album to be a travesty. Nowhere on the album packaging does it warn the customer that there are intrusive dialogue excerpts throughout the disc. When will score album producers realize that score fans want only the music. If I wanted to hear dialogue, I'd purchase the DVD (which I will when the film becomes commercially available). The producers don't even have the courtesy to place the dialogue excerpts on a separate track so that score purists can program it out. I do not want to hear young Ray wailing for his mother after he trips in the house as a setup for a particularly moody cue. Just give me a cue title that responds to what I saw in the film and I'm with you. Right now, this disc is about as useful to me as a coaster. Which is more the pity, since Craig Armstrong composed a beautiful and moving score for the film. I'm a big fan of Craig's music - but cannot recommend this album because of the misguided inclusion of dialogue and effects.

Wayne Kramer

Rhino Records presents the original film score for "Ray", from Craig Armstrong the award winning composer on the life and times of legendary Ray Charles...the impact of 26 tracks opens doors on the ups and downs of this icon in the world of music.

Mixed with dialogue from the film and the heart wrenching themes "DREAMS OF RAY", "DREAMS OF RAY II" and "DREAMS OF RAY III", musical journey for the listener behind those dark glasses and we're given a rare glimpse of a man and his music...each cue has a memorable moment mapping out his musical genius.

Ray Charles was that one-of-a-kind that only comes this way once in our lifetime...Craig Armstrong has captured those moments...take a bow Craig Armstrong as composer, arranger and orchestration, Simon Chamberlain on solo piano, Metro Voices is the choir, Jenny O'Grady is the Choir Leader, Gavyn Wright is the Orchestra Leader...a job well done.

Mr. Charles received many honors including the Grammy "President's Merit Award", "African American Heritage Month" for February 2004, Grammy Awards of the "Lifetime Achievement", "Presidential Medal for the Arts", original inductee into the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame", "France's Legion of Honor", NAACP Image Awards "Hall of Fame Award" this past March and the "Kennedy Center Honors"...his music is a must have for all "film-score-buffs" and fans of Country Western, Soul, Rock N' Roll and American Standards of the Day...we'll miss your Genius...Brother Ray Charles!

Total Time: 50:51 on 26 Tracks ~ Rhino Records 78480 ~ (12/07/2004)

This is an awesome soundtrack. It's fun and enjoyable to listen to. the best songs on this disc are all of them

Don't let the fact that this CD has dialogue from the film on it stop you from buying it. The good news is the speaking is only on a few very short tracks. All the themes that you want to hear are unspoilt and a sound great.

This is one of Craig Armstrong's best scores and he deserves the BAFTA nomination.

I haven't seen the film yet so I'll leave that alone. However, as a big C.Armastrong fan i have to say that it is a very moving score, and the Minor intrusion by bits of dialogue only go to allow the listner to dip in and out of the film. Momentary dialogue is all it is. If the addition of minor samples on this work upsets you, then don't listen to any of his earlier Massive Attack work, or work from the entire hip-hop genre for that matter. Listeners should be reminded that this is a film score and not an album. A very fine score and should be commended for being innovative and modern.