I've always liked Johnnie Ray, and have all or almost all his US LPs. This is one I have never seen before - a UK-only release from 1954 that comes our way courtesy of my friend anonymousremains.
It's a live performance, and that provides a sense of Johnnie's impact in person. The audience is enthusiastic, particularly when Ray launches into his hits, Cry and The Little White Cloud That Cried.
I have to admit that the latter title isn't one that I would ordinarily admit to liking. It is, frankly, ridiculous. However, Johnnie puts it across with a great deal of sincerity, with the overt emotionalism and vulnerability that were his trademarks - and those are qualities that I value. There also is a strongly rhythmic aspect to his singing. So I always enjoy listening to him, even when the material is awful. Here, he presents some very old chestnuts along with his hits, including Such a Night, a big seller for him in the UK but not the US. (It was done much better by Clyde McPhatter with the Drifters.)
Ray is sometimes compared to Frankie Laine in his upfront, rhythmic singing style, but they are very different. (Try to imagine Johnnie doing Rawhide and Frankie doing The Little White Cloud That Cried.) To me, Ray is much closer in approach to Kay Starr, an early influence.
The sound on this LP is very clean, giving a good account of Johnnie's vocals, but putting the band well in the background. That is, except for the obtrusive lead trumpet, whose annoyingly penetrating tone is the featured in the generic arrangements.
As I mentioned, this post comes to us courtesy of anonymousremains, who has a variety of most interesting blogs. Let me point you to akid4twofarthings, which focuses on things British - pop music as well as film scores from the golden age, many of them unreleased. You can find his transfer of the Johnnie Ray LP there, but at his suggestion I have refurbished the sound and covers for presentation here.
LINK
