The Rick Ray Band– Setlist
Neurosis Records
http://www.rickray.net/

Rating:  B+

If there is another artist or band more prolific that Ohio’s Rick Ray then I’ve yet to hear about it. Dating back to the late 90’s the guitarist has released well over thirty albums under various different guises including his Rick Ray Band, Riot Act and Neurotic. His latest disc to appear on the scene Setlist is a live in the studio recording featuring the current version of his Rick Ray band. The highlights of their five hour studio jam were condensed down to eleven songs to give the listener a feeling of a typical concert or set list (hence the title) on any given night.

The way Ray effortlessly ties together late 60’s psychedelic rock with 70’s fusion and Beatle-esque vocal harmonies is exemplary. Another thing which has always made Ray’s sound, in addition to his brilliant guitar playing, stand out from his peers is his knack for incorporating various reeds and woodwinds (played by long time cohort Rick Schultz) into his music. Schultz’ deft skills on the flute, clarinet etc…has always blended seamlessly with Rick’s meaty sounding, psychedelic infused   riffs and blazing solos and the material presented on Setlist is no exception.

Newer tracks like “Sgt Pepperspray” (love that title) and “Standing In Harms Way” sit nicely alongside older fan favorites such as “Reality Replaces The Symbol”. Ray has plenty of opportunities to stretch out and display both his virtuosity and versatility as a player with extended workouts on “Something A Little More Original”, “The Voices” (alongside blazing sax and harmonica solos) and “The End”.

Ray’s style has often found him being compared to 70’s guitar legends Robin Trower and Frank Marino, due in part no less to his penchant for lengthy solos which have that distinctly hazy or smoky feeling permeating them. While these comparisons are somewhat warranted I personally think his chops and playing style are more worthy of attention due to the fact that he stands out as a musician with his own unique voice and character. The fact that the guy has been so darned prolific the past ten years or so can only be seen as a huge plus for fans of his thought provoking music and lyrics.

Rick Ray is the quintessential ‘unknown’ musician that readers of this website need to get behind and support. You can either start here with Setlist or pick up any one of his albums from his vast back catalogue of work, either way you’ll find a treasure trove of musical gems await you.  

    -Ryan Sparks