Just Ray, playing it all 'live' Europe's largest, they reckon, FULLER than JESSE,
Influences
Started playing piano, harmonica and trumpet in the mid. 1950s.........Influenced by his 'crooning-piano playing father, who's collection of Jazz & Blues 78rpm records were always at hand .........Ray took up guitar and formed a duo with his next door neighbour Ronnie [Sammy] Johnson, called 'Jack Rabbit'...........After meeting Jim Murray [now of Hokum Hotshots] they formed a multi-instrument trio called 'Pigmeat' they went on to play the Folk, Jazz & Blues clubs on the U.K. circuit............... On leaving 'Pigmeat' Ray started a one-man-band, drawing on the material from his teenage years: Big Bill Broonzy, Josh White, Leadbelly, Jesse Fuller, Lightning Hopkins, Bo Diddley, Slim Harpo, Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, Howling Wolf, Buddy Guy & Dr. Isiah Ross.................Ray saw many of these acts 'live' and indeed, in later years, he played support to three of them................The one-man -band took about three years to develop by adding each instrument as he needed it [most of which are adapted or invented] and a lot of trial and error was spent on the mechanisms that was to drive it along.................Ray carries a 1800w P.A. System. [suitable for 400 seater venues]..........Ray decided that there would be no sampled sounds and no backing tapes....Everything you heard would be actually played by Head, Hands, or Feet [*denotes a self invented instrument or mechanism to drive it] HEAD: *KAZOOSAPHONE, kazoo blown via a tube into a chamber containing a resonator. ... VOCALS, into SM58 microphone. ... *HOOVERPHONE , [jug] ... *BLUES BLURTER, harmonica rack. ... HANDS: GUITARS. ... HARMONY SOVEREIGN. converted from 6-string to 12-string by Steve Phillips. ... YAMAHA APX4 12-string. ... HONHER GRUNN 6-string. ... SUPRO STEEL-BODIED RESONATOR, 6-string. ... ZENITH HARP GUITAR, 6-string, [for studio work] ... HARMONICA'S, ... SLAPS, on guitars or lower parts of the kit. ... FEET: PREMIER 28" Marching BASS-DRUM, ... *HAYMAN 16" SNARE-DRUM, ... ELKA BASS-PEDAL Unit, ... *FAST-RUB AUTOBOARD, Washboard, ... PREMIER HI-HAT with 14" ZYN cymbals, ... *SOCK-CYMBAL Assembly [Latin Percussion TAMBOURINE mounted under Turkish HOT-SNAP cymbal, ... *Latin Percussion COWBELL, ... ... Every instrument has it's own microphone, transducer or pick-up and is mixed by Ray and either: sent to his own P.A. or a line out to house P.A.s for larger venues or festivals. It is a complete self-contained act waiting to be unleashed. ... Ray uses LEE OSCAR harmonica's, ... D'DARIO strings 014" to 064" ... GORILLA'S TOENAILS picks, ... Shoes by SWAN HUNTER, ... and on "Rocking Horse Shit" occasions can be seen playing together with long-time pal Steve Phillips or with his 5-piece, THE RAY STUBBS R&B ALLSTARS.
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CONTACT DETAILS FOR::::: BOOKINGS::::: INFORMATION::::: WORKSHOPS::
C.D. & CASSETTE SALES.
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TEL. /FAX. [U.K.] 0191 482 0170 [OUTSIDE U.K.] +44 [0] 191 482 0170
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MOBILE: 07903 987 997
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E-MAIL. raystubbsone@tiscali.co.uk
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FOR ORDERING C.D.s [£12] or CASSETTES.[£7] CONTACT ANY OF THE ABOVE. [ALL PLUS POSTAGE AND PACKING]
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RAY STUBBS AND HIS AMAZING ONE MAN BLUES BAND. (Jazzland Records] Recorded at Topline Studios in Twickenham. Produced by Theo Johnson. This was originally released in L.P.Record format. 15 tracks include: Georgia Crawl, Dying Crapshooters Blues, Good Morning Little Schoolgirl, Railroad Worksong, Frisco Leaving Birmingham.......[C.D. & CASS.]
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DOWN & OUT BLUES. (O.M.B.Records) Two sessions here, Farsley Studios recorded by John Danby and Newcastle University Studios recorded by Douglas Doherty. 13 tracks include: The Dirty Dozens, San-Francisco Bay Blues, Daddy Rooster Blues, Backwater Blues, Deaths Black Train [with Steve Phillips]..........
[C.D. & CASS.]
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'T VERLOREN GAT- LIVE! IN BELGIUM. (Flem Records) Recorded at one of the top clubs in Belgium by Bruno Vermheir. 12 tracks include: Hey Bop A Ree Bop, Baby Don't You Worry, Death Don't Have No Mercy, Brownsville Blues, Can't Judge A Book, [C.D. & CASS.]
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LIVE! AT THE PUZZLE HALL. (O.M.B. Records) Recorded at one of West Yorkshire's established Jazz venues recorded and engineered by Thurston Binns. 12 tracks include: Everybody In The Mood, Going To Louisiana, Boogie Children, Moaning At Midnight, Few Short Lines.... [C.D. & CASS.]
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LIFT HIM UP.(Good Noise Records) Recorded at Wildtrax Studios Co. Durham by Frankie Gibbon. 13 tracks include:Lift Him Up, 99 Years And One Dark Day, She Asked Me Why, Jitterbug Swing, Cat's Squirrel, [C.D. only] ..see review...
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OPEN-TUNED BLUES-GUITAR & BOTTLENECK STYLE. (Ray Stubbs) After years of being asked about the later, Ray came up with this tutor idea of shortcuts, it is very simple to follow and by tuning in to the tutor Ray will explain and demonstrate these styles and tunings. Covers both open 'G' and open 'D' with chord windows for both. songs include: Queen Of Spades, Hobo Blues, I'm In The Mood, Few Short Lines. easy [C.D. & CASS.]
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..WORKSHOPS...WORKSHOPS...WORKSHOPS...WORKSHOPS...WORKSHOPS......
OPEN TUNINGS FOR BLUES GUITAR. Rays quick-fire methods are so easy to follow, the pupil will come out playing the blues for certain. Ray will take you through two open tunings and you will astound your pals by your slide guitar playing. Bring along your own guitar and the lecture will be jumping. Don't forget your bottleneck / slide [bluesers use their little finger] lasts 60 mins.
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...WORKSHOPS...WORKSHOPS...WORKSHOPS...WORKSHOPS...WORKSHOPS....
THE AMAZING ONE MAN BAND. A short history of one man bands from the 'stand up' European style to the American style that Ray has perfected and developed. He will play his way through both styles and explain as he goes along by demonstrating the instruments individually and in various combinations and how each instrument is amplified. Pupils are encouraged to view whats happening from any angle desired. [workshop is better performed "in the round" if possible for viewing mechanisms. Drummers love it. lasts 60 mins. and is often used at Art Centres or Festivals as a prelude to Ray's performance.
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*** COLLECTORS *** COLLECTORS *** COLLECTORS *** COLLECTORS **
ACQUIRED FROM GERMAN STOCK... "FRISCO BOUND" [Delta Records] This deleted, award winning album has surfaced in Germany, recorded at Redesdale Studios, Elsdon, by Geoff Heslop, 13 tracks include: Bring It To Jerome, Big Road Blues, Frisco Bound, K.C.Railroad Blues, it is only available in cassette format. See contact details, top of page.
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ASKED OF RAY STUBBS ???????????????????????????????????????????????????
Q. Is there only one Ray Stubbs ?.............................Ellie from Nelson............
A. Not on your nellie Ellie......two guys spring to mind, there is a Ray Stubbs sports commentator who is a Everton supporter and often if you type in
'Ray Stubbs Blues' [which is good for finding what Iv'e done or what I'm doing] you might get the other Ray's blurb or photographs. His Everton connections [often called the 'Blues] He's a very nice man and he booked me for his birthday party at a beautiful victorian pub in Barnes, and was a great host treating celebs. and old pals equally.
The other guy is Kenneth Ray Stubbs, he writes erotic books ie. Karma Sutra Of Sexual Positions, and the 'Blues' meaning 'blue' will take you there, I must admit that personal pride has forbidden me to look on his site but maybee in my twilight years the postures could be beneficial for playing my one man band.
...... OTHER DAFT QUESTIONS ........ " How many are in your one man band " ??? .... "How come there are two of you" ??? [referring to my roadie] ..... "Do you play 'Rosie' " ???
Ciao,Ray thanks for your friendship,I am very happy, you are very good, I like your stupendous music a lot, and stupendous voice. you are certainly one of my favorite, in your musical kind The feels great admiration for you, be really one whom is worth rather to lot! The hope to listen soon to you, in italy.. talk to you soon, and all of my best wishes to always listen to your good music, all the best.. from italy.. and good life.. every day neal
For some reason the link to the Blues Lounge website posted below doesn't work via Myspace. If you want to visit the website just copy the link into your address bar or google us! The website is live and working and you can buy your tickets for Ray's show there! Thanks.
Just thinking about ya Ray. Sure you could over time put down your musical biog, even if it were only to become a vanity publication, I truly believe it is a story worth telling.
Hey Ray, Hope the summer's going well! If you don't mind I'd like to spread the word about my book on one man bands. I'm looking for input from anyone with something interesting to say about any one man bands, including Ray, who I consider one of the very best! See my blog for more on the subject and post a comment or leave a message with me! Thanks, best Ray!
Hi Ray! Thanks for befriending me! It's real nice to listen to your down to earth blues! Wishing you nothing but the best! Peace...love & music forever!
Ray, great to hear from you man, and a pleasure to listen to your music again. Have missed our gigs. Yes, the ole gal is still belting out "Bessies Blues"! Much love, Bridget.
Hi Ray, how ya keeping bro' Ya gotta great voice for blues my friend, nice feel! Thanx for the add Ray. much respect...Mojo!
May peace break into your house and may thieves come to steal your debts. May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet for $100 bills. May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips! May your clothes smell of success like smoking tires and may happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy and love...Mojo!
Lover of LIFE & spiritual Orgazms. All things Natural, Beautiful, Musical, wild, clever, interesting. LIVING, LAUGHING, LOVING & LEARNING & LIFE itself. . . . . . WARNING: MAY CONTAIN TRACES OF NUTS !
Thank you for your friendship and Thank you for the add. and rockin' 2009 ! Your great! Love and peace and all good things for the future, Keep rocking @ bluesing @ ballading & & &
Thanks for the ad Ray. It's been a long time since I've seen you play - but hopefully soon! I hope you are in good health and look forward to hearing from you. Donna xx
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