Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Where Have Johnnie's Fans Gone?!, September 23, 2004
Okay, this isn't as much of a "review" as it is a general call-to-action directed at Johnnie Ray's fans. It's very sad that with all of the great stuff of his that is currently on a digital format, nobody seems to be buying any of it. His entire career is on compact disc, and yet the amazon reviews for all of his CD's combined amount to a handful. Is it just that nobody knows who he is? If that's the case, I urge all of you, please share this music with people!
There's no excuse for this legend to fade away just because of historical revisionism in the musical community. Get your kids to listen to this, and your GRAND-kids! This man moved an entire generation with his music, and there's no reason that he can't do it again, but people have to learn about him. I know first-hand how seldom heard the name Johnnie Ray is. I myself only discovered him about four years ago when I was in High School.
Through a magnificent twist of fate, I was sent home early from school after twisting my ankle, and while sitting in the car that afternoon (waiting for my dad to finish some errands), I nearly bolted out of my seat as a cool, smoky, and effortless voice crooned "Walkin' My Baby Back Home" from the radio that was tuned in to our local Oldies but Goodies station. It made an instant mark on me, but I still had no idea who this guy was. I had to search the internet for hours just to find information on this amazing voice, and when I learned of Johnnie Ray's tumultuous rise to fame (he easily caused more media scandal than Elvis), it was a shock to find out that this man is practically unknown today.
People, I beseech you, don't let this music go unheard one day longer. It has the power to move young people just as it does Johnnie's die-hard fans. In fact, if you can listen to the Cry-Guy and honestly say that you are not moved by it, you should check yourself into the nearest morgue, because you probably don't have a pulse.
As for the CD being reviewed, it's very good. "Whiskey & Gin" is a hard-to-find early hit, and that tune alone makes this disc worthwhile. It's almost scary how close to Rock & Roll this song comes...especially when you consider that it was recorded in 1951, several years before "Rock & Roll" was to become the new soundtrack to American life. Elvis is always credited as the "first white artist to record in an R&B style", but what most people don't know is that Johnnie Ray beat him by three years! Check out this CD. It'll put a new spin on the Cry-Guy, and perhaps present a few new favorite songs in the process!
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
16 Most Requested Songs, December 7, 1999
For those of you who have ever skipped around on several records to hear these songs, or have none of Johnnie's music,this classic is your collection! From "Cry","Whiskey and Gin","Tell The Lady I Said Goodbye", right through to a fabulous version of "As Time Goes By", each track is a gem. If you've ever wondered why Johnnie is still marvelled at, this is your answer. Fabulous! You'll listen to every track, appreciating them more every time you play this CD.
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14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
16 Most Requested, October 26, 2000
Johnnie Ray was a very talented singer and these 16 songs attest to that strength. I would highly recommend this to anyone who is curious about Johnnie Ray or looking for a "Greatest Hits" type album to bring back some memories. You can draw a fine line between Elvis and Johnnie as far as their singing and personal lives...why Johnnie doesn't get more credit as a pre-rock/post Sinatra is because he was an absolutely scandalous person. If you are looking for a serious musician with a powerful voice in an early fifties style, this is your man. Minus one star for the novelty songs on this album (I'll admit I sing along though).
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