Ray Charles: Live At Montreux – 1997

by Ethan Nahté

Ray Charles’ final Montreux performance - and what a show!

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About the time that Elvis was coming into fashion back in the ‘50s, R&B had Ray Charles was beginning to blaze his own star, which would start shining brightly by 1959. The blind pianist/singer with the big smile and his feet and legs constantly dancing as he played became a legend throughout his 50-year musical career.

In 1997 he performed for the third and last time at the Montreux Jazz Festival, fronting a 15-piece orchestra and backed on some songs by the 4-girl group known as The Raelettes. Looking dashing in a fancy black jacket and red shirt, Charles hits the keys of his Yamaha KX88 electric keyboard with a running start as he kicks into “I’ll Be Home (Sadie’s Tune)”. His playing style is a combination of Rhythm & Blues and Jazz. Sometimes his animated playing style makes it look as though he’s improvising half the time. But it’s all in the same key and sounds great on Ray Charles: Live At Montreux - 1997.

Next up on the set list is “Busted,” followed by his trademark version of “Georgia On My Mind.” The pace quickens with the romping “Mississippi Mud” before Ray switches his piano sound for vibraphones and rolls into “Just For A Thrill.” It’s amazing how well he’s familiar with his keyboard and its functions despite how much he bounces around in his seat while performing/.

Other tunes include “You Made Me Love You,” “Scotia Blues,” & “Song For You” before The Raelettes enter the stage. They sing “Watch Them Dogs” and “Shadows Of My Mind” before they begin their backup vocals to “I Can’t Stop Loving You” and the entertaining finale of “What’d I Say.” (I’m not sure which Raelette had the lead vocal on “Shadows Of My Mind,” but she had a really great voice.)

The disc is only 58 minutes long and there are no extras, unfortunately.  The disc is widescreen, and the audio options are PCM Stereo, Dolby 5.1 Surround and Dolby DTS.