Battle of the Bands - R&B

[Corki]

We are now over half way through as we move into Week 5. And the next up for discussion is R&B. Below are the 3 nominations.

The Archers have nominated... RAY CHARLES

Ray Charles Robinson, known by his stage name Ray Charles, was an American pianist and musician who shaped the sound of rhythm and blues. He brought a soulful sound to country music, pop standards. Frank Sinatra called him "the only true genius in the business." Before he left school, Charles began working as a musician in many bands that played in various styles, including jazz and, in Tampa “with a hillbilly band called The Florida Playboys." This is where Charles began his reputation of always wearing sunglasses. Besides winning dozens of Grammy Awards in his career, Charles was also honored in many other ways. In 1979, he was one of the first honorees of the Georgia State Music Hall of Fame being recognized for being a musician born in the state. Ray's version of "Georgia On My Mind" was made into the official state song for Georgia. In 1981, he was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was one of the first inductees to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame at its inaugural ceremony in 1986.
Ray Charles was the only choice for R&B nomination. Growing up in the influences of southern music styles like Gospel, Country, Bluegrass, and Jazz, Charles pioneered the formation of R&B music. A lifelong musical career capped by both highs and lows have made him a staple in anyrepertoirerepetoire.

The Cavalry have nominated... OTIS REDDING

One name comes to mind when R&B is mentioned. That name is Otis ... Johnny Otis? Otis Spann? Nope......... The Cavalry put forward.. Otis Redding!! Otis Redding and R&B are synonymous as Rice and Gravy. His songs Try a LIttle Tenderness and Dock of the Bay are well known with Tenderness being a Chittlin Circuit rave up supreme.. Less well known are some of his other songs, though no less memorable upon hearing. I Been Lovin You Too Long, Tramp (with Carla Thomas) and Love Man to mention three...

As a performer Redding had few peers. His energy lit up a building and his passionate, rough and ready delivery could move you to tears or delirious joy. Look him up at YouTube. There are some very very good performances there.

Regrettably he died in a plane crash in Wisconsin in 1967, not long after his breakout performance at Monterey Pop. Young white audiences discovered him there and he was about to become a huge crossover artist. Dock of the Bay, his most well known song and a #1 chart topper was released posthumously as were many other songs on three albums....

The Infantry have nominated... MACY GRAY

Macy Gray is an American R&B, soul, and neo soul singer-songwriter famed for her raspy voice and a singing style heavily influenced by Billie Holiday and Betty Davis.

Gray has released four studio albums (On How Life Is, The Id, The Trouble with Being Myself, Big) one compilation album, and one live album—with her fourth studio album, Big, released in March 2007—, and has received five Grammy Award nominations, winning one. She has appeared in a number of films including Training Day, Spider-Man, and Idlewild. Gray is best known for her international hit single "I Try", taken from her multi-platinum debut album On How Life Is.

Macy Gray - I try
Macy Gray - Still

There you go. There are the 3 nominations. All you now need to do is pick who you want to win (please highlight in some way or another) and go through as the Champion of R&B for the Grand Final! You have until Wednesday 11th June 2008 to make your choice!

[Corki]

Thread is locked until I receive the Cavalry nomination.

[Corki]

The thread is now unlocked, and accepting votes.

Please note the change in date for the last day of voting - it is Wednesday 11th June 2008.

[Uasal Arach]

OTIS! OTIS! OTIS! OTIS! OTIS! OTIS!

[el Nyn]

I like Otis Redding, he is a fantastic musician in his genre. But I prefer Ray Charles, especially after seeing the film Ray. Ray Charles gets my vote.

[dragonlover]

gonna have to go with my reg and vote for Ray Charles

[Corki]

*glares at Uasal*

Don't do that again! And that goes to anyone else who is considering that idea!

And my vote goes to Ray Charles.

[Taymist]

Yeah, I gotta go with Ray Charles.

[Moghedian]

Well, Macy Gray needs some support...

[Myndrunner]

Being the cultured Rhythm and Blues connoisseur that I am, I have sampled many an R&B artists catalog, and   I have come to the conclusion that Otis Redding stands tall above them all.  Some will argue that Ray Charles is the greatest, others will argue that Macy Gray is queen, but it is clearly Otis Redding because thats who the Cavalry picked.

[Auld Manriva]

Well, Ray IS all that.. Matter of fact he was all over everywhere.

As far as R&B is concerned ... I'm goin with Otis Redding.

[BridMorgan]

I vote Otis.  Ray's fantastic, but Sittin on the Dock of the Bay will get me everytime!