Brian Ray: Latest News

Latest News

October 2nd 2008 Our Show in Tel Aviv, Israel

I'm back in LA after 3 weeks away, first in London for 1 week of rehearsals, then Rye in the south of England near the coast, for 3 days more. The rehearsals were swell... I'm always surprised when my hands and voice know where to go when it's been months since we played together! Paul was in top form, and we worked our buns off.

We had 4 days off in London and then Abe Jr., our drummer [for my new friends] and I were invited to Paris for a day of recording there with a French artist, Florent Pagny. So we flew over because the Eurostar was down, due to a fire in the Chunnel. We stayed at the Costes Hotel and had an amazing dinner at Philippe Stark's new Thai food hotspot, "Bon". We worked from 9 a.m. til 6:30 the next day, and then jetted back to London.

Body surfing in Tel Aviv

The next day we all flew with Paul to Tel Aviv on a private charter jet. It's fun to be together.. after 6 years with the same line-up, we are family now.. He doesn't feel the need to entertain us all with Beatle stories and we can all just chill out together.

When we arrived in Tel Aviv I didn't know if it was safe to get out and walk around there, the only long haired blond guy within a thousand miles!! Hahahaha!! So, the next day I got out for a walk on the beach after a pot of strong coffee. On the way back I saw Wix [keyboards] in the water and jumped in to join him for some good bodysurfing in Israel.. it felt amazing and the water was glorious. We then went to the park where we were to play the next day for a rehearsal.. It sounded perfect onstage, so much so that we were all puzzled. See, there's an old saying.. "good soundcheck, BAD gig !!!" But actually, it was just that we have a great new monitor guy, Jonathan.

So... Show Day!!!

The next day we all went over at about 2pm to soundcheck, rehearse, eat and relax... Our backstage "camp" was so groovy.. check out the pics! We had all these bamboo day beds all over this grassy area with our awesome catering [Eat Your Heart Out] making ridiculous vegetarian food and awesome killer desserts, so that when we hit the stage at 8:30, we were fed and happy..

WOW!!! 53,000 people, many of whom had been lined up since the night before to get a good place, rushed in at the end of our sound check, yelling and celebrating what was to come.. By the time we hit the stage the sun was down and the mood was up.. WAY UP! This was one of the coolest crowds we have ever performed for. So much heart and soul, singing every lyric in perfect English. They cried during Paul's gorgeous pairing of "A Day In The Life/Give Peace A Chance".. not a dry eye in the house.. The cel phones and lighters in the air during "Let It Be" could have lit up a desert.

One of the best shows of the past 3 years...

Paul sang with so much energy and we all played our hearts out for what turned into one of the best shows of the last 3 years. It was cool of Paul to drive through the wall to the Church of the Nativity on our first day there and he made his best effort show that he was there simply to play music, not for any political statement.

So... BIG thanks to all of our new fans and friends in Tel Aviv. Thanks for making us all feel at home! Watch this space for news of upcoming shows.. and check out my photos from TelAviv!!

News of my home studio and my new dog, Charlie!!

Also, I am just about finished with my new home studio so that my work on my upcoming project can continue right here at home with my new dog, Charlie!! Isn't he beautiful?? Hahahaha!! I love this little dude! He is learning to play Soccer now!

I might be back in Paris next month for some TV shows with Johnny Hallyday in Oct.. I just finished his new CD. It is spectacular, with so many cool tunes, great production and players, recorded the old fashioned natural way.. and Johnny, singing his lungs out! Watch for it, ok?

Also, I also just finished work on Kelly Clarkson's next CD, and it is really off the chain!! So listen for that as well... and don't forget you can join my mailing list if you wann stay in touch!

Ok, abientot, cheers, shalom and ... later!

Love,
Brian

Sept 26th 2008 To My New Friends in Israel

To my new friends and those who have been here for awhile,

Last night was the most special night in recent memory.. We played for 53,000 people in a gorgeous park in Tel Aviv, Israel.. Paul was in magnificent form and the show was powerful and moving.

I want to welcome my new friends and let you all know that I will be sending a newsletter on our experience there and the preperations. I will include a few backstage and rehearsal pics for you as well.. You can join my mailing list here.

All coming very soon. Right now, I'm knackered and need...to.... sleeeeep..

ZZZZZZZzzzzzzz ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzz ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..

love,
Brian

August 23rd 2008 Music from my sister, Jean

Hey Everybody! Are you lovin' your summer? It's been pretty glorious out here by the ocean in LA. I'm enjoying some relaxing downtime after so much work over the spring and early summer with Paul McCartney and Johnny Hallyday.

I've been digging the Olympics and re- discovering my inner sports fan... and not just rooting for the USA, either.. What a display of dedication... This Usain Bolt guy was unbelievable, right? I love his spirit.. So what if he was happy and wanted to celebrate after crushing the competition and world records? Get over it!!! He drove a lot of interest in the games and enjoyed himself at the same time. Right ON!! But I must say... some of the athletes from China looked younger than stated... what do you think?

Did you all catch the closing ceremony? What a show!! Who would have pictured Jimmy Page playing "Whole Lotta Love" for the Olympics in 1969 when they recorded it?

Music and video by my sister, Jean

I wanted to share a video with some of my close friends out there. As many of you know, my sister Jean was probably the most important and influential person in my life when I was a kid discovering my passion for music. I went with her to her gigs, watched from backstage as she and her husband Jim played and sang with some of the best musicians of our time. She invited me to play at the LA Troubadour when I was just 15 years old and my temperature from music fever has never come down since.

She was talented beyond belief, pretty beyond description and she changed lives with her music. Sadly, she passed away one year ago this week.

I was sent this video of Jim & Jean from 1967, performing live at the Cafe Au GoGo in NYC. Even with a mistake in the song, they sounded spectacular. So, if you are interested, here it is on YouTube:

And here is a song of Jean's, just sent to me by an old friend. I recorded this with Jean when I was 17 years old.. That's me on the slide guitar and the bass-like low guitar.

"The Sweetest Word" by Jean Ray (mp3)

I love you always, Jean.

Upcoming shows with Paul McCartney

In other news, I will be traveling to London to rehearse with Paul for some upcoming shows, far far away. No big tour plans to report at the moment, but stay tuned. Plus, I am just now finishing my home studio and will hear it tonight for the first time, so the Fall will be filled with music. I send you all the best.. Rock onwards!!

Join my mailing list

Don't forget that you can join my mailing list and receive these updates direct to you inbox:

Love, love, love..

From,
Brian

July 26th 2008 Kiev, London, NYC and Quebec

Hey everybody,

Just got back from our show in Quebec, a free show for nearly 300,000 people celebrating 400 years of independence. It was quite a sight.. The streets around the Hotel and the streets of the city were filled to the top with people anticipating Paul's arrival there. The local constabulary had to disperse the fans from every possible entrance in advance of our police escort speeding us into the garage of the castle-like Fontenac Hotel.. But hang on...

Our big show in Kiev!

Let's back up because I haven't had time to write all of you since our other BIG show in Kiev in the Ukraine, I've just been sooo busy. So, last we met we just finished the show in Liverpool, right? So, we went back to the south of England to rehearse for Kiev.. 4 beautiful days at Paul's country spot there.

Pulled over by the Ukrainian cops...

We flew into Kiev the day before the show. At dinner on the terrace I met some locals who invited me out for a drive around their city.. and as an ambassador of my own fair city, how could I refuse? It was great until Katya took an illegal left right in front of the cops!! Yeah, so they pulled the 4 of us over and took Katya into the back of the police car to question her.. and closed the door! That would be a lawsuit here!! Anyway, she told them she was showing Paul MacCartney's guitarist around.. they insisted she was drunk and demanded 100 Euros!! Wow... so THAT'S how it's done there? Ah, but what a gorgeous city .. and what nice people.

Show day - it was POURING.. I mean BUCKETS..

The next day was show day.. woke up to a nice but cloudy day.. Well, pretty soon it started raining... then lightening, thunder and then it was POURING.. I mean BUCKETS.. for an outdoor show with 350,000 expected to show up! The rain stopped for our soundcheck after we postponed it. We all hoped we would have a clear night.. It poured even more. Sheets of rain, more than we had ever seen. Our trailer was almost floating away as Paul calmly continued to learn Ukrainian in the dining/hang out area.. We were all awaiting news of cancellation.. it never came. We walked with umbrellas to a drenched stage and started the show. The people couldn't believe it.. HE'S here!

No one left... soon, after about 6 songs the rain slowed.. then it stopped. The crowd was ecstatic, hearing these songs live for the first time... Wow.. I'll never forget their spirit, standing in the rain, lightning and thunder over us all, not giving an inch of their standing space.. Beautiful!!

Recording in London with a French rock icon

After Kiev I returned to London to begin recording a new CD for Johnny Hallyday, French Rock icon.. A first, I thought the schedule of 12 days, 10 hours a day, no days off was going to be a drag.. By the second day we were all having the time of our life.. great players, great songs and producer, great food and tons of laughs.

And finally... on to beautiful Quebec

So, shoot forward to Quebec... after rehearsing in London we flew to NYC... [105 degrees!!] As the motorcade slithered into the parking garage and we took the backdoors and service elevators to our rooms we looked out over the beautiful Quebec City.. Show day, NO RAIN!! ahhhhhh, nice! In the Field of Abraham where the French fought for and gained their independence, one certain Englishman returned to sing for them.. As far as you could see there were people.. faces behind the stage for a mile, watching us on another big screen.. and in the nearby city squares and parks as well.. Paul McCartney sang 37 songs, not even counting some segues and impromptu jams... 3 hours. We had a terrific time, thanks to Canada. I LOVE it up there.

So, back home with a bit of a tour hangover. Leaving my pals in the band and on the crew is always weird.. I'm back in the studio with Johnny and lovin' it.

No more hyphen for brianray.com!!

Here's some news for y'all. My website, soon to be re-imagined, is now under a new domain name.. brianray.com. That's right... no hyphen!! Yeah, I had to work a deal with a certain fellow who was sitting on it but it's mine now.. I'll return to recording my next record soon with my new home studio almost ready to plug in.

Ok, so that's a LOT.. Sorry to go on and on. Next time I won't wait so long to update my friends.

Wishing you the best summer EVER!!

With love,
Brian

June 08th 2008 Onstage, backstage, in transit and rehearsals for Liverpool's great Anfiled Stadium

Live at The Liverpool Sould

Hello friends near and far,

As promised, here is my report from the stage, backstage, in transit and rehearsal for and at Liverpool's great Anfield Stadium..

It was like going from 0 to 160 in 4 seconds, to go from rehearsals in a modest place to playing before 36,000 in a packed football stadium in the Beatles home town or Liverpool. It was raining for a day and a half and all during our sound check onstage with our gear being covered while we rehearsed... with the crowd pouring in and the show set to start, the clouds parted and it stopped raining just at the Zutons [great home team band] took the stage followed by the fab Kaiser Chiefs..

The kindest, warmest audience ever...

We had a fantastic show there... the people of Liverpool are the kindest, warmest audience ever and they were as much a part of the show as the lights and sound were. [GREAT singers too!!] Paul was in great form, even as he seemed at a loss for words at times, trying to express his gratitude for the city which informed his musicality, humour and personality.

4 new songs and a special guest appearance

As many of you know by now, Paul added in 4 new songs to the set, opening with the very early Bealtes "Hippy Hippy Shake" [& my solo] and a new song he wrote with lyrics about his beloved home town, "In Liverpool". Late in the show we then added a new version of "Something" with the band entering at the guitar solo [Rusty!!] and it was very touching to watch the faces in the crowd..

Later on, Paul made a brilliant and brave move to play "A Day In The Life" with the ascending orchestra [WIX!] bits and then finished it up with "Give Peace A Chance"... a moment that was a pure act of love and respect, a loving tribute to his fallen brother, John. Then, Paul announced our special guest, Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighter who played 3 songs with us, one on guitar, 2 with Abe on double drums [hammers of the GODS!!]

We had a blast... what can I say??

Next stop - performing for 360,000 people in Kiev!!!

The next day we drove down south to rehearse [for our upcoming show in Kiev in the Ukraine] for 4 more days.. THIS is gonna be off the HOOK!! 360,000 people are expected in the Square [10 TIMES the huge crowd in Liverpool] and we will be ready to rumble..

It's so good to be hanging together, the five of us again, for full length big shows, as much fun as the smaller shows over the last year and a half have been. Paul is in GREAT form and sounds toppermost of the poppermost right now, singing his ars off!

The Foo Fighters at Wembley Stadium

So... last night we were invited to go see the Foo Fighters at Wembley Stadium.. What a show!!! And what cool guys they are.. they built an amazing career from the rubble of one of the best bands to come along in 40 years, from clubs and theaters to headlining Wembley for 2 nights.... 86,000 per night!

On their encore, Dave Grohl announced 2 special guests... Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones~ they tore into "Rock and Roll" like 4 guys at a banquet who hadn't eaten in days... Dave on Drums, Taylor singing. the "Ramble On" to a crowd of freaking fans... there it was.. just for us 86,000 peeps.

So..indulge me in a little story..

After the show we went backstage to hang and I was looking for the Zep guys because as a young lad on my first trip to Europe with Etta James at the 1975 Montreux Jazz Festival , John Paul Jones was set to play bass for Etta at the fest.. Me, skinny little 19 year old kid with blond hair halfway down my back was the bandleader, teaching Zep's bassist Etta's songs..

Well, at the end of our first rehearsal, who walks in but Jimmy Page and Robert Plant.. !! Page pulled me aside and asked to play my '57 Les Paul and told me he thought he had met me in a past life [wow!!].. Then they invited me to dinner, Racqlette in a chalet in the Alps.. with Led friggin' Zep!! All this was made better when 2 of my friends from LA had witnessed the show there and came back to LA to tell the stories for me.

So, back to Wembley... I see Page and shake his hand, reminding him of our meeting and he smiled broadly as his eyes flipped back through the memory banks to remember... then, I saw JP Jones and we talked and talked.. he said he still watches the tape of that show from 1975 in Montreux playing with Etta James and me..

And finally...

So it's Sunday, day off in London, first in 11 days and I'm glowing.. throat is sore but, hey.. sometimes you gotta shout it out and go for it, right?

We will have news of my new recording sessions and some contests coming up on my site brian-ray.com.. please come in and make yourselves comfortable. Join my mailing list to get all the news first!

All the best to you all!