Chains-Ray Allen, buy the CD direct from the band at gigs or through the website
Released: 2024,Rhythm Bomb Records, www.rhythmbomb.com
Recorded at Lightning Recorders Berlin/Germany. Engineered by Axel Praefke and Ike Stoye. Sleeve Design Axel Praefke.
Reviewed by Terry Mead 07/10/2024
Mat Arnold aka Ray Allen hails from Germany and plays a rock n roll/ Rockabilly /country mix, this album consists of thirteen self-penned tracks written by Mat himself, ranging from wild rockers, via crisp strollers to cool jivers with a couple of ballads for good measure. As already mentioned the album is available on CD but will shortly also be available on 12’ vinyl.
Musicians featured on album:
Mathias Arnold (Ray Allen) - Vocals, guitar. Kevin Weber – Bass Axel Praefke – Drums, electric guitar. Michael Kirscht – Electric guitar, backing vocals. Christopher Wiatre – Piano, backing vocals. Boris Israel – Drums Holger Diemeyer - Piano
Track by track Review :
Chains – So we kick off with the title track and it hits you from the start this would make a great feature western movie title track, it’s a lovely melody with a superb riff running through it. To add to this it’s one of those songs that will stick in your head and your never get tired of listening to it.
Don’t Push Me- Love the beat to this one certainly has that 50s feel to it with some nice guitar breaks. Ray gives us some tasty lyrics about it being a waste of time trying to push him around which blends into the song.
Footlight, Fears & Fame – Piano intro starts this one off, it’s a lovely country rock tune which flows along to a foot-tapping beat.
When Love’s Dead And Gone – This one’s a neat little stroller or a slow paced jiver with a cool backbeat that contrasts the vocals which tell us the story of lonely nights.
The Only Thing That Matters Is Loving You- Ray gives us a beautiful caressing ballad which the title explains, with a soft talking verse mid-way. The music portraits the song carefree and laid back.
Let’s Have A Good Time – Back to some Rockin” magic from Ray, this one pushes all the buttons with its high paced driving force especially from the guitar that produces some electrifying chords.
You’ll Cry A Tear-This one’s right out of a late fifties’ textbook, it’s a catchy little tune which will have you swaying along.
Let Me Be The One -With a hand clapping, cross-stick drum combination beat, and some neat guitar work makes this a quite jolly tune to listen to.
I’ll Have My Way – Catch your breath your need it for this fast-paced rocker, awesome guitar sounding work with Ray giving a more gritty performance on vocals.
Get Down With The Blues- Gutsy blues track accompanied by some hallowing guitar playing and ghostly backing vocals.
No Hard Feelings – Rhythm and slap with a piano break give this one some magnitude, comes across as a fast jiver to a cool vibed tune..
Walking Through The Mountains- Lovely heart felt song beautifully adapted to bring the tears to your eyes. It’s got such a caressing rhythm musically and Ray sings to the soothing beat.
You Move Me- So, we end with this track and its one of those tunes that will let you drift away. The guitar break reminisces of a Spanish resonant tone, while Ray sings in more of a high-pitched voice producing a kind of crescendo towards the end.
So, let’s Summarise: Here you have thirteen WOW ( Wonderful, Original & Written) tracks to delight you finally produced to form a terrific album certainly worth buying you won’t be sorry order yours today!
Links to Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, you tube, web page)
Album Teaser: https://youtu.be/YeEmdzTnzS0
Track List:
1.Chains
2.Don’t Push Me
3.Footlight, Fears & Fame
4.When Love’s Dead And Gone
5.The Only Thing That Matters Is Loving You
6. Let’s Have A Good Time
7.You’ll Cry A Tear
8.Let Me Be The One
9.I’ll Have My Way
10.Get Down With The Blues
11. No Hard Feelings
12.Walking Through The Mountains
13. You Move Me
Band Bio:
Mat Arnold took on his stage name, Ray Allen, in the early 2000's. At that time, he was active as a singer and rhythm guitarist for the band named "Thunderbirds" who later changed their name to "Moonlight Classics" which played melodic, danceable rock 'n' roll & rockabilly. They had released two albums before parting ways in 2007.
Ray began his solo path in 2004 and formed a backing band "The Hi-Fi's". Members included: Frank Pampel, Daniel Klein (both Wildwood Boys), Gerd Vorwerk (the Jumblers) and Mike Hesse (Wildwood Boys). The first album was recorded in 2006 in the Berlin Studio "Lightning Recorders" and released as a Rhythm Bomb record. In the same year, he started a second band, the "Blue Rhythms", with which he also began the second album for Rhythm Bomb records. With Alex Anthony Faide (Los Twang Marvels), Carsten Harbeck on bass guitar (Cherry Casino, Round Up Boys) and Tillmann Richter on drums (Mentalettes). Ray had a great band. But through everyone's deep involvement in other band projects, the musicians parted ways in 2010. What Ray developed next was the "RAY ALLEN TRIO ", consisting of Gerd Vorwerk/bass (Hi-Fi's), Sylvio Lau / drums (Moonlight Classics) and Ray/on guitar. Quickly, the guys were a super team on and off the stage. The band had a compact
sound which was reinforced through many two-part harmony voices in the set list. However, they were limited musically as a trio. To make the 1950's R+R sound even more authentic, and to be able to perform it live, a pianist and a composer was needed. The search proved difficult to find a suitable musician.
But a 2012 chance meeting with Martin Wauer resulted in a new member joining the band, on piano. With an enlarged ensemble, it was now the "Ray Allen Band"!
Now with the new gigs, the number of fans, the repertoire, and proven professionalism they started their climb up again in the music scene. Their heavy touring further honed their musical program, and they also worked on their new stage presentation. In 2013, the time was finally right, and the long-awaited and much-praised third RAY ALLEN album came on the market. In the aftermath, the guys were able to boost its popularity and make a name for themselves. RAY ALLEN and his amazing band are a real experience live to see and hear! These "teen age" inspired rockers play their songs with such detail that only experts can hear the difference to the originals. With their own titles, they connect seamlessly to the spirit of the old 50's originals.
The songs reflect the raw enthusiasm of the many styles of the 1950's and early 60's rock and roll music, which back then filled the dance floors with teenagers. Concerts with RAY ALLEN and his mix of rock, bop, stroll * jive make one simply wanna dance. You can experience RAY ALLEN with the current band at the Rockabilly Rave (UK), Hemsby R’n’R Weekender (UK), American Days (SE), on the Firebirds Weekender/Trebsen, Tear It Up! Festival(HR) and by the Atomic Vintage Festival/Northampton. On top of this, there were also performances in Spain, France, Belgium, Italy, in Switzerland, the Netherlands and of course Germany. "Overall, we play 50-60 gigs a year, festivals, All-nighters, in clubs and at private parties". Out on the road, the band has looked back on over 500 gigs since 2005.
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