Search - Johnny Ray :: Cry

Ooh, listen to the man SING !!!

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 04/20/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Cry is a fine retrospective CD by the great Johnnie Ray. Johnnie was one of the best crooners of the twentieth century although most people don't recognize him the way he deserves to be recognized. However, this CD proves he was among the best! The sound quality is excellent and the artwork is very good.



"Cry" was one of Johnnie's signature songs; and he sings this with his usual great sensitivity. "Cry" is a very pretty and sensitive ballad; and I can't imagine anyone singing "Cry" another better than Johnnie sang it! Similarly, "The Little White Cloud That Cried" is a touching song that tugs at my heartstrings whenever I hear it; the backup vocalists bolster Johnnie's performance. "The Little White Cloud That Cried" is clearly a highlight of this album. In addition, there's also "Please, Mr. Sun;" "Please, Mr. Sun" is a charming ballad that Johnnie aces effortlessly--and I love it all the way!



"Walkin' My Baby Back Home" has a fine and somewhat jazzy melody to accompany Johnnie's vocals perfectly; this was always one of my favorite ballads when Johnnie Ray sang it and it still sounds new and fresh to me. "A Sinner Am I" gets a royal treatment from Johnnie; his ability to handle complicated tempo and key changes truly impresses me very much. "Don't Say Love Has Ended" is a type of torch song that Johnnie delivers with panache; the backup vocalists help the melody along very nicely, too.



"All I Do Is Dream Of You" gets a zesty arrangement that works wonders for this ballad; and "Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone" gets a golden touch as Johnnie swings brightly for this classic ballad! "Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone" shines brightly and I love this highlight of this CD.



"With These Hands" features Johnnie front and center; and the organ gives the melody a big boost. I like it! Johnnie sings so sweetly, too. "Glad Rag Doll" has a big band style arrangement that works well for this tune. Johnnie delivers "Glad Rag Doll" with all his might and just one listen proves it. Wow!



"An Orchid For The Lady" is a touching love song that Johnnie aces effortlessly and the brass makes the melody very sweet. "An Orchid For The Lady" really shines when Johnnie sings it flawlessly. The CD ends with Johnnie performing "Tell The Lady I Said Goodbye." "Tell The Lady I Said Goodbye" is a torch song that always moves me with its beauty; and Johnnie delivers this perfectly like the crooner he always was!



Johnnie Ray could take a tune and turn it into a major hit when his excellent sense of timing, his incredible diction and his ability to delivers a ballad with great sensitivity. This is astonishing and I'll always remember Johnnie for it!



Thank you, Johnnie! We will always remember you!

"