Ray Kennedy Expanded Edition

This is a really good album released in the early '80s. For years it was only available as an expensive Japanese import but it's now out in the States with a bonus track. Working with a group of A-list studio musicians Kennedy does his version of the Babys' "Isn't It Time," which he co-wrote, and also "Sail On Sailer," co-written with Brian Wilson. He did a couple of later albums of bland country that don't match the quality of this set. It came on time and in good shape.

not what I expected

I keep buying this when available for backup. I love this CD. And this is even better with the added songs.

Ray Kennedy is one of those names who people may or may not remember, but his work behind the scenes is very recognizable. As a songwriter, he penned songs with and/or for the likes of the Beach Boys and Fleetwood Mac. Prior to his songwriting work, he signed to Atlantic Records in the 1960's as one half of the duo Jon & Ray with fellow performer Jon Misland. Despite being surrounded with talented producers like Arif Mardin and Phil Spector, their project ended up unreleased. Ray then switched gears by becoming a member of the band Group Therapy. He recorded two albums with them before splitting from them by the end of the 60's. In 1970, he went on to release his debut album while continuing on as a songwriter- penning "Sail On Sailor" for the Beach Boys and a couple of songs for The Babys- the group that featured future solo artist John Waite (of "Missing You" fame). He tried the group thing again by joining the short-lived blues-rock supergroup KGB. They- much like his prior act Group Therapy- also released two albums before he decided to split once again. In 1980- a decade after his solo debut- he released his self-titled sophomore effort "Ray Kennedy".The recording was released on Columbia subsidiary American Record Company- a label founded by Earth, Wind & Fire frontman Maurice White, which also contained Kennedy's labelmates Deniece Williams and The Emotions. Despite being produced by David Foster and having appearances from the members of Toto and Foster's group Airplay, Ray Kennedy's album is anything but a soft rock record. Kennedy writes most of the album with his songwriting partner Jack Conrad, save for a couple of songs. He longs to muster up the courage to express his feelings on "It Never Crossed My Mind". He also sings his versions of songs he penned for other artists- such as The Beach Boys' "Sail On Sailor" as well as The Babys' "Isn't It Time". Another song of his "My Everlasting Love" would be rewritten as "Tonight Tonight" by one of the recording's background singers, Bill Champlin for his 1981 album "Runaway" (which was also produced by Foster). Also included is the moderate hit AOR ballad "Just For The Moment". Overall, Ray Kennedy's album isn't a bad recording- it's actually pretty decent. The problem is that his voice at times sounds way too much like Robert Palmer to have any distinctive sound. Overlooking that minor drawback, this album is worth checking out. Long Gone Music reissued the album in 2015 with a few bonus tracks in the hopes of getting the attention of a new generation of listeners. Sadly, Ray himself passed away a year before the reissue, making it a bittersweet recognition of sorts.

2 titres repris par johnny hallyday (you oughta know by now et isn't it time ) raison pour laquelle j'ai acheter ce cd comme d'autres cd d'ailleur c'est pas ma tasse thé ce genre musique

Ray Kennedy remains something of a footnote in music history, best known for his co-write on the Beach Boys' "Sail On Sailor" as well as his stint in mid-70's soft rock/soul/funk band KGB, where he proved to be a star turn with his gritty, soulful vocals and classy songwriting.In 1980 Kennedy put out this fine solo album, featuring A-list session musicians Steve Lukather and the Porcaro brothers from Toto. Not surprisingly, the album leaned towards guitar/synth-driven AOR with a smattering of ballads, including "Just For The Moment", the album's sole hit (reaching #82 on Billboard).Kennedy's powerful rock voice came to the fore on anthemic, uptempo rockers such as "It Never Crossed My Mind", "You Oughta Know By Now" and "Can't Seem To Find The Time", where quality production, pop/rock hooks, Lukather's guitar leads and tasteful, unobtrusive keys sculpted a sound that was muscular, but not without colour.The ballads were classy, lush MOR without being schmaltzy, at times veering into Neil Diamond territory with those classic piano lines, Kennedy's vocal chops on point without overdoing it. He also found time to revisit "Sail On Sailor", mirroring KGB's smooth, soft rock version from 1976.The album is sleek, has a nice flow and is well balanced, and while very much of it's time, is a quality piece of work which compares well with other US AOR big hitters. The album failed to chart on its release and is long overdue a reappraisal. Anybody looking for new (old) thrills could do a lot worse than this. Try it.

デビッド・フォスター、スティーブ・ルカサー、80'sのL.A.サウンド好きにはたまらない１枚です。当時から長年愛聴していますが、ボーナストラックもついてリイシューされたので買いました。ざっくりですがボズ・スキャッグスのミドルマンに近いAOR感のL.Aサウンドです。サンタナなど豪華ゲストはないですが。。物議を醸した八神純子のパープル・タウンはその後カバー曲と改められています。 ザ・ベスト・セレクション 改めてこのリイシュー盤のライナーノーツで確認したところデビッド・フォスターのプロデュースではありませんが、やっぱり彼も作曲や鍵盤で全面的に参加しており、クレジットされているギタリストはルカサーのみです！ボーナストラックのシングルエディットのStarlighは出だしの徐々に入っていく部分をカットして時間短縮した感じです。オリジナルミックスという２曲はアルバムのバージョンとはアレンジが違います。ボーナストラックによくあるデモテイクとは違い、これはこれで仕上がっています。オーケストラがメインのバラード色が高いアレンジで、ルカサーのギターが控えめです。この２曲はデビッド・フォスターと試行錯誤したことを思わせます。未発表のDance The Night AwayはファンキーなAORで、ベースのグルーブとギターのカッティングが印象的なナンバーです。さて、なぜ2014年に再発されたのか不思議だったのですが、このライナーノーツの最後の記載に2014年L.Aのご自宅で亡くなったとのこと。寂しいです。レイ、ありがとう。ご冥福をお祈りします。再発してくれたレコード会社にも感謝 ザ・ベスト・セレクション

八神純子のパクリ疑惑となった曲の原曲が収録されている。NETも何もない当時でも、巷ではかなりの話題だったかな？少なくとも自分の周囲では・・・今の若い世代ではもちろん、当時の若者(笑 でもRay Kennedyを知らない人は多いかも。では何故、パクリ疑惑になったかといえば、当該曲の「 You Oughta Know by Now」がCMソングに使用されてたから。同年に、イントロからそっくりの曲をリリースしたら、情報の少ない当時であってもパクリと言われても仕方がない。ともかく、名曲ぞろいの名盤であり'70〜80ロック好きには絶対のオススメ！