My dad apprecited him, I appreciate him, my son/daughter will appreciate him. One of the big dudes. People tend to underrate him, just because his records aren't rare or anything...
I drank champagne with that foll one night. He was a nice guy. We talked about all his Cadet records. Ramsey Lewis recorded A LOT of records back in the day. They would just go in the studio and cut an album in one day! He was doing a show with Dr. Billy Talyor, two of them on two pianos at the same time. Shit was dope.
I'm not as big a fan as others here - Ramsey had his moments - but IF HE DIDN'T DO ONE OF THE BETTER VERSIONS OF "HANG ON SLOOPY" THEN GRITS AREN'T GROCERIES. I mean, when that drunk-sounding live audience starts singing (HOLLERING!) the title when the chorus comes around, it sounds like the damn building is about to explode! That, my friend, is The Part Of The Song That Just Kills Me! I mean, the Vibrations and the McCoys did amazing versions as well, but Ramsey definitely added a little something to the table here! Then he had the nerve to do a funked-up remake in the 70's on Columbia that was just as good!
Never properly met the man, although I have seen him around Chicago from time to time (I used to work in the same building as his office - by then, it had moved from the address shown on that fan club photo.)
I'm not as big a fan as others here - Ramsey had his moments - but IF HE DIDN'T DO ONE OF THE BETTER VERSIONS OF "HANG ON SLOOPY" THEN GRITS AREN'T GROCERIES. I mean, when that drunk-sounding live audience starts singing (HOLLERING!) the title when the chorus comes around, it sounds like the damn building is about to explode! That, my friend, is The Part Of The Song That Just Kills Me! I mean, the Vibrations and the McCoys did amazing versions as well, but Ramsey definitely added a little something to the table here! Then he had the nerve to do a funked-up remake in the 70's on Columbia that was just as good!
Never properly met the man, although I have seen him around Chicago from time to time (I used to work in the same building as his office - by then, it had moved from the address shown on that fan club photo.)
"HAAAANG ON SLOOPY - SLOOPY, HANG ON!"[/b]
this post is a lovely, almost perfect SStrut moment.
personal, opinionated, informative, joyous, play-by-play of a song and ends with a sing-a-long.
There's one LP of his that is IMPOSSIBLE to find, at least with the cover that it's given in a Cadet inner sleeve (Chris, help me out here). It just has woods on the front.
Ramsey is cool though. Upendo Mi Pamoja was one of the first albums I bought when I started diggin for da waxx. I think that still remains my favorite, though Another Voyage + Funky Serenity are close in rankings. And his take on Les Fleur got me into all that sissy shit. I thoroughly enjoy my "Do What You Wanna" acetate, but in the digital domain now. (I do not wear out delicates nor do I stack records, but yes I keep them after I digitize).
Anyhow, to me, Ramsey Lewis will always be the sound of Chicago in my private mind garden.
dollar_binI heartily endorse this product and/or event 2,326 Posts
I'm not as big a fan as others here - Ramsey had his moments - but IF HE DIDN'T DO ONE OF THE BETTER VERSIONS OF "HANG ON SLOOPY" THEN GRITS AREN'T GROCERIES. I mean, when that drunk-sounding live audience starts singing (HOLLERING!) the title when the chorus comes around, it sounds like the damn building is about to explode! That, my friend, is The Part Of The Song That Just Kills Me! I mean, the Vibrations and the McCoys did amazing versions as well, but Ramsey definitely added a little something to the table here! Then he had the nerve to do a funked-up remake in the 70's on Columbia that was just as good!
You, sir, are echoing one of my long held beliefs. The Ramsey Lewis Hang on Sloopy is one of the songs my wife and I put on our wedding mixtape CD that we handed out to guests. Just add David Porter to the list with the Vibrations and the McCoys and you have a complete accounting.
HUGE Ramsey fan(im allll about the jazzfunk) i totally agree that he is often underestimated because his albums arent rare. im always listening to Upendo Ni Pamoja,Funky Serenity,Sun Goddess,Maiden Voyage,and others im forgetting right now. much respect.
upskiboo
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I love the track "makin' love" on Columbia very much at the moment (it also has some african title that i can't remember..).
Ramsey Rules!
/L
Yes!
and his cover of "slippin' into darkness" (forget the album name) is very nice.
Lonely Avenue is one my all-time favourite songs as are about 20 more by him and what's not to love about that smile?
Respect due.
Hot Dawgit!
Never properly met the man, although I have seen him around Chicago from time to time (I used to work in the same building as his office - by then, it had moved from the address shown on that fan club photo.)
"HAAAANG ON SLOOPY - SLOOPY, HANG ON!"[/b]
I LURB RAMSEY[/b]
this post is a lovely, almost perfect SStrut moment.
personal, opinionated, informative, joyous, play-by-play of a song and ends with a sing-a-long.
yes!
self-taken photos=bonus.
There's one LP of his that is IMPOSSIBLE to find, at least with the cover that it's given in a Cadet inner sleeve (Chris, help me out here). It just has woods on the front.
Ramsey is cool though. Upendo Mi Pamoja was one of the first albums I bought when I started diggin for da waxx. I think that still remains my favorite, though Another Voyage + Funky Serenity are close in rankings. And his take on Les Fleur got me into all that sissy shit. I thoroughly enjoy my "Do What You Wanna" acetate, but in the digital domain now. (I do not wear out delicates nor do I stack records, but yes I keep them after I digitize).
Anyhow, to me, Ramsey Lewis will always be the sound of Chicago in my private mind garden.
cosignnnnnnnnn
spider-funk
You, sir, are echoing one of my long held beliefs. The Ramsey Lewis Hang on Sloopy is one of the songs my wife and I put on our wedding mixtape CD that we handed out to guests. Just add David Porter to the list with the Vibrations and the McCoys and you have a complete accounting.
YES!!!
nobody ever seems to mention this one when ramsey appreciations coem up.. love this record