This particular concert delivered a sparkling performance by the tireless legend still pounding out some of his favorite tunes on his keyboard.  I must say, I’ve never found piano, organ, or other keyboard players particularly exciting to watch.  I mean, they sound amazing and add a texture to music that guitar and percussion could never deliver; but visually, well, they’re dull.  

Let’s be honest folks, how can a musician sitting at the ivories compete with  the jumping jack flash of guitar and bass player or the pure animal adrenaline rush of the drummer mercilessly beating the skins? (Okay Jerry Lee Lewis notwithstanding this example.) But you understand what I’m saying right?  

Ray Charles however was apparently unaware that keyboard players were supposed to be boring.  Looking as energetic and passionate, Ray could barely stay seated throughout the entire performance. 

The Live at the Montreux DVD is not an extensive list of songs (only 12 songs in 14 tracks), however this performance does offer us a glimpse of the truly genius artist that was Ray Charles.  Rounding out at 57 minutes, it includes some classic favorites such as “Georgia on my Mind” and a truly funky soulful version of “You Made Me Love You” that I think is the best rendition of that song in existence.

With the instrumental “Scotia Blues” Ray showed off his prowess and the impressive range of music he could squeeze out of a keyboard.  He had so much fun performing this tune that he can barely contain his ebullient joy has he jumped up and down from his bench.

Backed up by his orchestra and of course, the fabulous Raelettes, the show ended with his quintessential song, “What’d I say.”

From “I’ll be Home (Sadie’s Tune)” to “Busted” from “Mississippi Mud” to “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” Ray didn’t just play or sing for the audience.  He gave his heart and soul to every lyric and every note every time.  A consummate perfectionist, if it wasn’t done to the max it wasn’t worth doing.

In music Ray Charles existed, lived, breathed, and loved.  He lived his passion and shared his entire being with his audience.   If we all learned from his example and lived out our lives with only a fraction of the conviction and passion that Mr. Ray Charles did for the expanse of his impressive career, we would all be much richer for it.

"It's like Duke Ellington said; there are only two kinds of music - good and bad. And you can tell when something is good." ~ Ray Charles