Thought it was an excellnt tribute, and a really good idea to get Jools Holland to introduce it. Jools has to be apart from a very talented musician, a music fan with few peers.

It could have been a bit longer I suppose and lots of the story was glossed over, but unlike so many Americam tributes, there was only a little smultzing, I think Jools was really in awe when interviewing Ray.

For anyone who is interested. I read a biography by Michael Lydon about Ray. It is a real Tome, but goes into all the stories, warts and all. It also gives some good in depth listings of the band members, and members of the Raelets.

I was away when Ray died, and assume most people will have had their say then, but I would just like to add, sadly missed, but always close at hand, thanks to the beauty of vinyl, in my home.

Mikey.

A great prog I thought and Jools is, IMHO, THE man to present musical shows in this country - By the way, did I mention that Brother Ray sang to my Mum in the White House a few years back after finding out she was a HUGE fan - sadly I wasn't over that side of the pond at the time but it didn't stop her from calling me and letting me hear him singing to her - GUTTED!!! A true top man and a wonderful talented artist - a one-off.

I watched it. Thought it was great when Ray Charles was telling the sound engineers to turn the mike down. "I'm doing it my way! Not your way!" what a man.

Thought it was an excellent tribute but would have liked more clips from the beginning and less of people like Elton John etc. Jools was probably the right person to introduce it though. He knew what he was talking about.

Don't supposed anyone taped it? I was out....

I have it on tape Rowly.

Do you work around Victoria?? I could pop it up to Strutton Ground one lunchtime.

Am I alone in finding Jools Holland a smug git? That terrible band of his (Hugh Laurie for christs' sake), those awful album covers. That bleedin' advert for whisky. Pass the sick bag.

I think the worst aspect about it is that far from holding up people like Ray Charles, Al Green, Sam Moore and Bobby Womack as idols, he sees himself as some kind of equal.

Think you hit the nail right on the head there Gareth

Paul

Yup i'd agree with the smug Tw** theory. A good friend of mine persuaded me to see him live at the Cornwall Collesseum and it was a truely dreadful experience i'd rather have visited the Cornwall Pasty museum ;o))

John

He he.

I love the diversity of opinions on here.

I have not heard him play, though he sounded very clever on the whisky advert.

I also thought he did and excellent job, and felt if any fault lay anywhere it was with the BEEB, trying to shoehorn the program into 45 minutes on a saturday night, against Casualty. Ok forget that last bit, but surely an interesting programme on Ray Charles, the man and his music, could last a still very entertaining 2 hours. Maybe in time there will be one. He certainly deserves it.

Couldn't agree more there Mikey. I reckon there must be more extant live footage of RC than most other performers from his 50 odd years in the business.

Paul

Where is it then? Cant any TV channel in Britain get hold of any - there must be loads in the US. Its got to be a lot better than the rubbish that is on now.

I have it on tape Rowly.

Do you work around Victoria?? I could pop it up to Strutton Ground one lunchtime.

No mate... I'm in Hastings!!

I reckon Jools is Ok..... seen him & his big band a couple of times too.... there are worse ways to spend an evening!

Saw the show and really enjoyed it, i like Jools Holland saw his band a while back thought they put on a great show,also saw Brother Ray in Las Vegas a few years back another top class evening.

Can't understand why you guys don't like Jools, he has always struck me as someone who loves music and admires great musicians. His BBC2 prog, 'Later...', is without doubt one of the best progs on the box.