The second album I ever owned was a Ray Charles Album. My Grandmother gave it to me. The last concert I went to (about 2 years ago) was Ray Charles. I took my eldest daughter, who was in piano lessons at the time. She loved watching and listening to him. So appreciation for the man's music, and admiration of his talents, contributions and accomplishments, spans 4 generations in my family. When I heard yesterday that he had died, it shook me up a bit. I wrote this as a tribute if it's any good. If it's not, then at least it was cathartic.
Brother Ray
============
I remember when I first heard him sing "Baby, what'd I say"
I expect that folks would answer differently.
When I heard the news that we had lost our brother Ray,
I thought I'd write down what he said to me.
I heard him singing "Hit the Road" and never once look back,
that seemed like good advice when I was young.
Shortly afterwards when I was broken down and busted flat,
with Georgia on my mind I headed home.
When times were bad I'd listen,
when times were good I'd sing,
he helped me get through
many'a mournful day.
with a smile as big as Texas,
and that easy rhytmic swing,
when the blues come down,
I'll think of Brother Ray.
I imagine he's in heaven singing "Unclouded Day",
and teaching all the angels twelve-bar blues,
I wish that one of them could take a note to Brother Ray,
- "This world's a better place because of you."
When times were bad I'd listen,
when times were good I'd sing,
he helped me get through
many'a mournful day.
with a smile as big as Texas,
and that easy rhytmic swing,
when the blues come down,
I'll think of Brother Ray.
-- Scratch
-- Scratch 8)
"...if heartaches were commercials, we'd all be on TV" -- John Prine
42
A lovely and fitting tribute to a great man.
Thanks for this, Scratch.
"Sometimes the beauty of music can help us all find strength to deal with all the curves life can throw us." (D. Hodge.)
Not easy to write a tribute without getting schmaltzy. Nice one.
"Be good at what you can do" - Fingerbanger"
I have always felt that it is better to do what is beautiful than what is 'right'" - Eliot Fisk
Wedding music and guitar lessons in Essex. Listen at: http://www.rollmopmusic.co.uk
As a post-script - did you see who was at the funeral?
BBKing Stevie Wonder etc
Maybe something like.........
"All the Legends came today,
Said "Farewell" to Brother Ray....."
Might make a nice coda.........just repeated over and over.......?
"Sometimes the beauty of music can help us all find strength to deal with all the curves life can throw us." (D. Hodge.)
Alan, Thanks.
Vic, That's a great couple of lines. When I get a chance to revisit this one, I'll try to work them in like you suggested.
-- Scratch 8)
-- Scratch 8)
"...if heartaches were commercials, we'd all be on TV" -- John Prine
42
You really have got to record this one!!!!!!!!!!
"Sometimes the beauty of music can help us all find strength to deal with all the curves life can throw us." (D. Hodge.)
good tribute, my favorite part is the chorus and add vic's idea
Cheap thrill suggested that I check out "Brother ray"-wow :!: :D :D This is great . We used to play "Baby What'd I say"In my high school rock band (1973). Brings back good memories :D :D -smokindog
Geeze Dog,
I can't believe you dug this up. It was what, like 3 pages deep by now!? Anyways, glad you liked it. Thanks,
-- Scratch 8)
-- Scratch 8)
"...if heartaches were commercials, we'd all be on TV" -- John Prine
42
hey scratch,
Great songs are worth revisiting. and to think i still remembered how great it was, and it wasn't even a ssg song. :D maybe this is the spark to get you to revise it a bit. :wink: add vic's suggestion. this song shouldn't get lost in the mix with all the others. but then again i am biased. :wink: i can't help myself.
-CheapThrill
It was 8 pages :lol: :lol: -and well worth it- Smokindog
yo dog,
i am happy that you took the time to read this song. i knew you would enjoy it. and so you could see how someone else went about writting a tribute song, even though it wasn't for ssg.
plus this give a chance for new people to get to read a great song.
a whole 8 pages down, i am glad it was worth the trouble. :D
-CheapThrill
