July 2006 Featured Artist: Northwest Ray Charles Tribute
Web Site: http://www.nwraycharlestribute.com
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Northwest Ray Charles Tribute features 25 of the Northwest’s top musicians. This group was assembled originally to do a one off performance for Portland, Oregon’s Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival. The energy and vitality of the performance lead to multiple performances and then into the studio to record “Let The Good Times Roll.”

This recording was modeled off the ‘Old School’ Motown style recordings in the 60’s and 70’s. The arrangements were inspired by ‘O Genio – Live in Brazil’, a recently discovered film of a Ray Charles concert and rehearsal televised in Sao Paolo in 1963 when Ray, then 33 years old, was in his prime. The music captures the essence of Brother Ray, while showcasing the depth of Portland’s talent. “Patrick Lamb has brought together the very best of a rich and vibrant Portland music scene. These musicians pay tribute not only to Brother Ray, but to this community – past, present and future,” says Don Campbell, music writer and Portland musician. The CD features vocalists Andy Stokes, Norman Sylvester, Duffy Bishop, Patrick Lamb, Kristina Michelle, ‘Sweet Baby’ James Benton, Linda Hornbuckle, Lee Garrett, Olivia Warfield, Gretchen Mitchell and Paul deLay; horns Dave Mills, Thara Memory, Stan Bock, Dan Brewster, Reggie Houston, Tim Bryson, Renato Caranto, Steve Cannon and Patrick Lamb; and rhythm Anthony Jones, Gene Houck, Eddie Martinez, Janice Scroggins, D.K. Stewart, Peter Dammann and George Mitchell. “650 copies sold first weekend! The CD is hot!”… Approximately $3000.00 from the first weekend will go to The Oregon Food Bank!