I don't know if there was a thread on this...Here goes...Here are my favorite Ray Monette's guitar solos...not in order...
What'd I Say Under God's Light Get Ready...From IN CONCERT(WOW!!) Losing You.. From IN CONCERT Thoughts..From IN CONCERT I Could'nt Believe What Happened Last Night Do It Right Love Music Mota Molata I Heard From The Grapevine
Yeah so I was playing the live album for a guitar playing friend of mine and he was blown away by Ray's playing. Funny thing is, my buddy went to Farmington High like Ray.
I find that statement hard to disagree with. Ray is a great player.
Mark,
That's a great list. I also must add:
Ma *All of those licks and effects, especially in the last few minutes when he's playing those wah wah licks. Tasty stuff! Hum Along & Dance Hey, Big Brother * The short but sweet solo in the bridge, right before Gil's turn. Keeping Me Out Of The Storm
Pete nails it. So many years ago I was in the studio trying to wrap up the Stoney and Meatloaf album. It was night and I had a roaring case of flu. I was in pretty bad shape..chills..achey..fever. I wanted Ray to lay down a solo on the final song of the album. I should have been out on the studio floor with him running things down, but I was too sick to do that. The studio lights had been lowered and Ray was alone and I'm sitting behind the board in the control room trying not to die. Ray asked through the cue system what I wanted. Too sick to really explain myself I simply said.." Make it sad" Needless to say, he nailed it the very first take. Yeah, Ray is definitely a keeper.
That's a great song. I haven't heard that in a while :)
Ray just really nailed that solo towards the end. One thing I've come to realize: Ray always seems to play just the right thing. Whether it's some funky rhythm or a tasty guitar solo, he never over does it. I'm no musician but I think it's jsut as important knowing what to play as it is knowing what NOT to play.
A good eaxmple for me: Peter Green during his Fleetwood Mac days (67-70). He floors me with those bent and sustained single notes. There's more feeling in 1 note than 100 notes.
Ralph, I've heard that story about the Stoney and Meatloaf track before, two thoughts came to mind: Glad you survived the flu, I can picture Ray playing those notes and helping to rap up the session.
I've seen countless Rare Earth shows and seen Ray play while he was fighting off the flu, have a string bust amid one of his solos, and not to mention the soloing with his teeth - yes his teeth for God sake.
Back in February I took in a Funk Brothers show in Milwaukee. I did not have the chance to say hello to Ray, let alone hook him and the band up with some Chicago deep dish pizza, but as for the show, it was simply OUTSTANDING!!!
I didn't make it backstage, sure wished I had though. My wife and I were upstairs in the balcony, since that was where are seats were situated. Also wish our seats were one of the booths near the stage. After the show we waited in line to meet Bob Babbitt and Eddie Willis for autographs and to try and catch Ray. No luck meeting up with Ray, but the Funks were super cool, as always. It was a treat to see the Funks play "I know I'm Losing You" one of my all time favorite tunes.