Don Ray Band - Lonesome Rider (2010)

A powerful singer and songwriter of huge talent, Don Ray and his band display a big sound and well articulated performance throughout all original songs. It can be likened to a frenzied madness, by the inherent musical quality and the amazing professionalism of every musician included on the cd. Along with the impressive bright voice of Don Ray, always superb and firm, with great rage, you should add all the musicians to the mastery. There is also a faultless bright final production that goes together with the very original and personal Don Ray compositions. In short words, a project done with big enthusiasm that will certainly call the attention of all listeners. GREAT. --Vicente Zumel

Sitting on the porch drinking a beer listening to the Don Ray Band will become a favorite past time of fans. Although I have listened to the CD and find different nuggets each time I listen, Poison is the standout track to my ears. Something a bit different than the other tracks and more Southern Rock with slide guitar the way we love it. The next track, Gone Nowhere, follows in the same vein and comes together in tour de force of Southern Rock. The Don Ray Band has loads of professional talent in both the studio and on stage so the influences are made into their own unique form. You won t hear much more professional musicians than these folks. As for the music, it is a mix of many styles but holds true to the roots of the bands influences. With Don Ray and his cast of talented band mates he has transposed their influence in a very subtle way as well and is walking the same path, with some finely crafted and performed songs. I wonder if this music will be too sophisticated for many southern rock fans with its influences that sounded to me like T-Bone Walker, George Benson, The Allman Brothers Band, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Delbert McClinton. But influences are just that, they help mould the sound that is the Don Ray Band, the subtle influences merge to form what is a fine CD by an excellent band. You will very rarely hear an artist who offers such a variety of styles on one album, from down home Raising a Ruckus to lead off track The Trigger with its jazz influences, to the rocking southern rock of Lonesome Rider, to the blues of Love Is, to the jazzy sounding Ball and Chain this is music that just begs to be played over and over. --Vernon Tart - puresouthernrock.com

You readers looking for a nice CD to put you in that real nice groove after a hard day's work, or better yet, tough week of work? It's Friday, ready to chill out, enjoy a cold brewskie? I've got the CD for you! The Don Ray Band's latest release, Lonesome Rider. The band, who come from Nashville, has a nice mix of blues/jazz/southern rock on this CD. Their lineup is Don Ray Producer, Singer / Songwriter, Curt Ryle Producer, Songwriter, Guitarist and Nashville Session Bandleader, Jonathan Armstrong Keyboards, Songwriter / Vocalist, Donnie Lee Clark Guitarist, Songwriter, Vocalist, Mike Durham - rhythm guitar, Gary Smith - piano, Steve Bryant - bass, and Wayne Killius - drums. Durham steps out on solo guitar on a few tracks and Kelly Bamberger sits in on drums on the song, Poison & and also contributes backup vocals. The band released its first CD, On Top of the Heap in 2009 to much critical acclaim, Lonesome Rider, due to be released on August 17th is a terrific followup. The production/sound mix is very clean and crisp, making it a totally pleasurable listening experience. The Trigger, the opening track gets you right into that nice groove I mentioned above. Yes, sit back after getting that bottle cap off and enjoy a cold one. Tasty playing, not over the top, a nice feel, those guitar licks dancing in your head. I knew I was hooked after listening to the CD for a few days and while in bed last night, this song was still playing in my head. The second track, Monday Morning News, paints the perfect picture of many of our feelings when it's that time to start the work week. The jazzy feel is present on the song, Ball and Chain. This song too has that catchy hook that will have it ingrained in your brain in no time. The song also has a haunting feel to it, like remembering ex-lovers we have had. You recall the good times, but you just knew when it ended, it was best. For you that like those uptempo songs and jump sound, The Ruckus Room will have you up on your feet bumping and shaking your booty and the beer will start flowing real nicely at that moment. Overall, there is a nice mix of blues and southern rock that will make listening to the entire CD a joy. When I first listened to CD it reminded me of a little Johnny Lang, some Robert Cray, some Skynyrd, especially on track 11, Gone Nowhere. Hard to pin down Don's singing, as to who he reminds me of, but his voice comes through loud and clear, every word easily picked up. Great job Don! The title track, Lonesome Rider, starts out with the sound of a Harley, which made me think of the late Hughie Thomasson of The Outlaws. Hey, if radio station DJs still had the freedom they had 20-25 years ago, the song would make a great segue with The Outlaws, Ghost Riders in the Sky. Pick up this CD now! Check out the band at their website and make sure when you're on the site to click on the tour schedule and go see them when they come to your town. --Hank Hitman Hart - southernfriedmagazine.com