YOU CAN ORDER RAY'S CDS RIGHT HERE!
.. --> -->Goin' By Feel -->
.. --> -->Roll It Down -->
.. --> -->Rough Luck -->
.. --> -->Gust of Wind -->
.. --> -->On The Main -->
.. --> -->Solid Ground -->
Influences
Slim Harpo, Tony Joe White, Hank Williams Sr, Mississippi John Hurt, early Taj Mahal, Jimmy Reed, Roy Orbison, New Orleans, Flannery O'Connor
Note to Ray's friends and fans: Ray's MySpace is maintained by a friend, but Ray does check in from time to time.
Ray Bonneville calls himself a North American. Born in Canada, he moved
to the Boston area in his early teens where he started playing guitar
and harmonica. His last 30 some odd years have seen him seeking
adventure and playing music throughout the world. Being a dual citizen
allows him the freedom to live in both Canada and the United States.
Bonneville is a distinctive artist, a man who cooks up a deep groove
soup, stirring his own unique percussive electric guitar style, his
weathered voice, and soulful rack harmonica lines into songs that can
be believed. He uses his index finger and thumb, sometimes a slide, and
a Fender tube amp. He also brings his foot down on an amplified piece
of plywood on the floor. The result is a powerful and visceral sound,
with an almost primitive quality to it and a lot of forward momentum.
"When I first heard good blues and country music I was very young, but
I felt a deep excitement within, and I somehow knew right then what I'd
do with my life," says Bonneville, remembering his introduction to
roots music in Boston in the mid 1960s and early seventies. Over the
next decade, Bonneville honed his sound up in the Northeast, Colorado
and Alaska, and then moved around between Seattle, New Orleans, and
Paris, France in the 1980s.
"I remember playing in Memphis Slim's club in the heart of Paris in the
early eighties," says Bonneville. "I'd show up for the gig at four in
the morning after doing another show across town. The place would be
really jumping at that time of the night. "Slim was often there, as
were other jazz and blues players, and a whole slew of late night
characters from all kinds of places. After the show I'd take a taxi
back to my flat around eight in the morning in the full-on Paris rush
hour traffic".
In the streets and clubs of New Orleans, Bonneville soaked up the
prevalent back side of the beat attitude that ran through the music
being played there. "There were so many great drummers to learn groove
and time from, not to mention the piano and guitar players, and man,
the singers and horn players too! This was the place that influenced me
the most," he says. "It was infectious. In New Orleans, you learn that
solid rhythm is like a tightrope on which the notes and words can do
their dance."
Says Bonneville: "I'm deeply in love with playing live music. It's the
time and place where I really live, where I feel the most centered and
alive. When a show is over, I just want to get on down the road to the
next one, always
looking to get back onto another stage and do it again."
"I write the songs as they come to me, without predictability or in any
set way. They come from real life mostly, snapshots of emotions and
feelings lived and felt, and the recall of observations of things gone
by along the way. I'm forever looking to write another song, find
another groove."
Ray won a prestigious Juno Award, the Canadian equivalent of a Grammy,
in 1999, for his third album, Gust of Wind. His next release, Rough
Luck, and his fifth album, Roll It Down, were also nominated for the
coveted award.
Ray is currently working on a new recording, slated for release to the
world on the Red House label in early 2007.
Ray Bonneville dearest: I feel myself honored and proud to have you as my musical friend. Sertanejo or blues,what does matter is that your music is far-out, your duets are sweet and tuneful and make sure if I ever had to pick out two songs of your repertoire as best-loved, I'd mention "Crow John" and "Shy Star" certainly. May you feel like getting to know my provincial songs and send me any comments, please. My congratulations and wishes for a good successful career. From your Brazilian admirer,
You gave a wonderful performance at the Acoustic Barn last Saturday. Thanks also for the conversation and willing ear. And of course, thanks for adding me! I hope we cross paths again before too long.
Hi Ray, thx a lot for ur friendship here on myspace.Ive always been a fan of Austin/Texas-Music (Band of Heathens, lately).Now I have one more on my list.Its great to have you along the ride.All the best to you, good luck, success, and always a stage beneath your feet.All the way from Germany.GBM
Ciao, Ray ,Thank you for the add and the friendship. you are very good, I like your stupendous music a lot,and stupendous voice. you are fantastic ..really. you are a myth for me;-) talk to you soon, and all of my best wishes to always listen to your good music. all the best.. from italy neal
Hi Ray, what a wonderful and exciting evening yesterday at Musicstar in Norderstedt! Thanks for the great concert and the nice chat. Look forward seeing you next year in Berlin at Berlin Guitars. Have a good continuing tour. Your friend LB
There seems to be some confusion over which date Ray will be appearing at our place. It's always been May 31st....most definitely NOT 24th.
I don't know how this happened...please don't come to see Ray in Twickenham on May 24th as we won't be there. There is no gig scheduled for that day and there never was. So please ignore the Red House adverts you may have seen in the UK magazines like fRoots and Maverick Country which list May 24th.
Our gig was always lined up for May 31st....hopefully see you then.
New Orleans
A courtesan,
not old and yet no longer young,
who shuns the sunlight that the illusion of her former glory be preserved.
The mirrors in her house are dim and the frames are tarnished;a
ll her house is dim and beautiful with age....
And those whom she recieves...come to her in an eternal twilight....
New Orleans...a courtesan whose hold is strong upon the mature,
to whose charm the young must respond.
And all who leave her?
Return to her when she smiles across her languid fan....
New Orleans.
-from "The Tourist,"New Orleans Sketches,
by William Faulkner,1925
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Casey is the manager there. He is very knowledgeable with our entire line of Baden's. We do have a large amount of selection there and would like you playing a Baden someday! It's unique, different, gives you your own identity, and tone!
Let me know if there is anything I can help you with. If you would like the specs and or story of Baden guitars, feel free to contact me at my information below!
Sincerely,
Kevin Hall Sales www.badenguitars.com Kevin@badenguitars.com 760.738. 0370 office
