Tim

Thanks for the recommendation, Tom. I’m going next Tuesday, Thursday & Friday.

You’re welcome, Tom. Thanks for the great reports on Birmingham & Alabama; made me a little jealous.

Here is a brief review from someone who saw Ray in York on Saturday. It sounds like Doug is really improving the sound:

Just watched Ray in York, same setlist as the ireland shows…

Love the new band, two guitarists (doug on electric and acoustic), the most amazing pedal steel and a fantastic keyboard player.

A lot of the songs now have a much fuller, upbeat feel. The pedal steel on ‘Hold you in my arms’ was awesome.

Doug Pettibone seems to have formed a really good partnership with Ray, the version of “You can bring me flowers” (the country one) with Dougs backing vocals rocked.

The new song ‘Home’ was a surprise, a Marvin Gaye type number with an almost reggae rhythm (if thats not a contradiction). Some really nice guitar work on it from DP, if Eric Heywood was a ‘less is more; guitarist, DP a lot more ‘more is more’ and it works.

The cover where Ray just sings (I forget the name) was gobsmacking, like having a window to an old motown session.

Overall I though Ray was more relaxed, there was a bit of banter and the set was far less intense than some of his previous tours and IMO the better for it.

Wish I could go again…..

Just got my tickets to the Calvin Theatre show. 5th row in the orchestra section. Tickets were $28.