Review Two

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Review Two

A SOLD-OUT HOUSE SALUTES RAY CHARLES

Charlotte Symphony Orchestra

Author: DEAN SMITH, Music Writer

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MUSIC REVIEW REVIEW

You can’t take anything away from Ray Charles.

He said it loud and clear – on piano, on synthesizer and in song – before a packed house Friday at the North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. On the eve of the 100th anniversary of George Gershwin‘s birth, he opened a sold-out show with the Gershwin classic “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.” Then the 12-time Grammy winner showed why.

Following two Charlotte performances in recent years – at Blockbuster Pavilion in 1991 and with the Charlotte Symphony in 1994 – the ground-breaking, barrier-busting singer-pianist-songwriter returned to open the CSO’s 1998-99 Pops series. With multiple standing ovations – a woman even cried out “We love you, Ray!” – fans made it equally clear that they can’t stop lovin’ ‘im.

That’s because Charles, who celebrated his 68th birthday this week, is still the consummate showman. In Friday’s hourlong set with the orchestra, augmented by Charles’ trio of bass, drums and guitar, the only musician to top pop, R&B, gospel and country charts during a decades-long career gave the audience a taste of everything. From “Your Cheatin’ Heart” to “It Hurts to Love You,” from the trademark “Georgia” to his inimitable “America,” Charles performed audience favorites like they were just as dear to him. And endeared them, again, to us.

It would have been easy for the CSO to start the show with a nondescript bit of Orchestra Lite. But associate conductor David Tang turned it into a night of debuts, including his own.

As the new chief helmsman of the Pops Series, Tang showed again that he brings not just energy but also fresh ideas to the CSO. He led the Charlotte debut of a piece by New York composer Todd Levin that was something like classical music meets trip-hop. Then he unveiled the new a cappella men’s chorus ‘Round Midnight, which brought down the house with a fun version of the Gladys Knight hit “Midnight Train to Georgia” – replete with Pips choreography.

Fronting the chorus was Charlotte singer Marsaisa Byrd, improvising seamlessly in a sort of coming-out performance that has been building nearly a year. Byrd caused a stir last season singing two roles – one tenor and one bass – in a CPCC Opera Workshop production of “The Magic Flute.” On Friday, he was standing in front of the city’s professional orchestra as soloist in “A Simple Song” from Leonard Bernstein’s (not simple) “Mass” – and performing like he owned the joint.

Watch him rise.

IF YOU’RE GOING
Ray Charles with the Charlotte Symphony, 8 p.m. today, Belk Theater, Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St.
$15-$65. 372-1000.