2008 Woodie Awards
Ray brings her piano to play for intimate crowd
Andy Wright
Issue date: 11/29/07 Section: Style
Lindsey Ray is a typical name. It's the kind of name with a voice that may be the next big hit you hear on the radio. Ray got up on stage with nothing but a piano, a mic and her own finesse.
With only two years of piano experience and a year and a half of performing under her belt, this girl has come a long way in a very short time. She commands the audience - in a loving way.
Did songs about a father's life-threatening illness and a friend who over-dosed on drugs really come from this bright and cheery girl?
Though sad, that doesn't mean the songs lacked in intensity or diversity.
Ray is completely self taught - piano, vocals, everything. That doesn't mean she doesn't have experience. She apparently has enough experience, charisma and whatever else you need to make it in the industry these days to get a record deal. Ray is currently signed with Original Signal Recordings, which just so happens to be an owned by Sony Records. She, therefore, gets to sit down and record in an intimate studio while getting a major label distribution.
That being said, this performer wasn't without her faults. As with anyone with only a year and a half of performing experience, she stumbled - though only once - and lost her words for a split second. Aside from that, the only other disappointment was the affectedness of her voice. It is always nice to hear someone's range and control, but showing off sometimes leads to an almost country feel, which is unfortunate if that's not the genre you're going for.
The small mishaps and minute letdowns aside, Ray delivered on everything else. She performed all of her own material, covering every subject in the pop artist book. There was the broken-hearted, lost lover song rightfully titled "Broken," as well as the "angry girl song" called "One of These Days." Not all inspiration creates the type of song you would imagine. Point in case: "Wake Me Up," which was by far the saddest, yet best put together song Ray sang all night. Do you know where she got the idea? Let's just say that working in a toy shop has its advantages.
This girl had advantages. Ray is a natural-born lyricist with vocals comparable to a jazzed-up Ingrid Michaelson. There is also a possibility of a Ray-Michaelson tour coming up, since both new artists are hot on the scene and signed with the same label. Ray would be a nice addition to the Michaelson tour. With her strong vocals and charming attitude, Ray would fit perfectly with just her microphone and piano on stage.
If you would like to hear some of Ray's material, go to MySpace.com/lindseyback. If you happen to Google "Ray," you'll find she's connected with Music Nation, a Web site run and promoted by artists. Her new album will hopefully be hitting shelves within a year. It may even be released sooner, seeing as she's already laid some tracks and is headed back to Los Angeles, Calif. later this week.
With only two years of piano experience and a year and a half of performing under her belt, this girl has come a long way in a very short time. She commands the audience - in a loving way.
Did songs about a father's life-threatening illness and a friend who over-dosed on drugs really come from this bright and cheery girl?
Though sad, that doesn't mean the songs lacked in intensity or diversity.
Ray is completely self taught - piano, vocals, everything. That doesn't mean she doesn't have experience. She apparently has enough experience, charisma and whatever else you need to make it in the industry these days to get a record deal. Ray is currently signed with Original Signal Recordings, which just so happens to be an owned by Sony Records. She, therefore, gets to sit down and record in an intimate studio while getting a major label distribution.
That being said, this performer wasn't without her faults. As with anyone with only a year and a half of performing experience, she stumbled - though only once - and lost her words for a split second. Aside from that, the only other disappointment was the affectedness of her voice. It is always nice to hear someone's range and control, but showing off sometimes leads to an almost country feel, which is unfortunate if that's not the genre you're going for.
The small mishaps and minute letdowns aside, Ray delivered on everything else. She performed all of her own material, covering every subject in the pop artist book. There was the broken-hearted, lost lover song rightfully titled "Broken," as well as the "angry girl song" called "One of These Days." Not all inspiration creates the type of song you would imagine. Point in case: "Wake Me Up," which was by far the saddest, yet best put together song Ray sang all night. Do you know where she got the idea? Let's just say that working in a toy shop has its advantages.
This girl had advantages. Ray is a natural-born lyricist with vocals comparable to a jazzed-up Ingrid Michaelson. There is also a possibility of a Ray-Michaelson tour coming up, since both new artists are hot on the scene and signed with the same label. Ray would be a nice addition to the Michaelson tour. With her strong vocals and charming attitude, Ray would fit perfectly with just her microphone and piano on stage.
If you would like to hear some of Ray's material, go to MySpace.com/lindseyback. If you happen to Google "Ray," you'll find she's connected with Music Nation, a Web site run and promoted by artists. Her new album will hopefully be hitting shelves within a year. It may even be released sooner, seeing as she's already laid some tracks and is headed back to Los Angeles, Calif. later this week.
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