I
like this picture of Ray the best because
it was taken back when I first knew him,
at one of the first shows where the 'Goners
headlined a weekend night in Toronto
Everyone else had gone upstairs, it was
the first time I was alone hanging with
Ray, who was one of the coolest people I
then (and still) knew and he played a song
for just me. I was 26, Ray was 10 years
older than me and I was awed by him.
Gayle Hurmuses April 29,
2004
Toronto, Ontario
I
was honored (or should I spell that honoured?)
to write the Maximum Ink article (from May
2000...although he shaved a few years off
of his age at the time of the interview)
- Ray's dry, deadpan humor offstage and
zonked-out frantic presence on-stage made
for quite a vibrant dichotomy. Healso had
a special acumen for drawing upon material
from a broad array of genres. Case in point:
one of Ray's adaptations that blew me away
was his take on Little Walter's "Crazy
Mixed Up World," illustrating the spiritual
and musical connection between backwoods
country and Chicago blues. But to Ray, it
was all interrelated. Not many other musicians
respect that breadth.
In the next issue, I'll be including a little
obit, with some photos from his appearances
in Wisconsin the past few years. But the
dance floor won't be as lively without Ray's
hoots and hiccups.
Dave Leucinger April 19,
2004
Madison/Milwaukee, WI
the
first time i met ray condo, i was introduced
to him at the side of the stage at the night
gallery, in calgary. i had played the opening
set, and from my elevated vantage point
i had seen ray walk in just as i finished.
when i was introduced to him as the opening
act he smiled and said to me, "very
musical." it made me chuckle then and
still does now.
matt burgener April 19,
2004
I
had a band in the mid nineties known as
the Crawlers. Some of our first shows that
we ever did were with Ray. Shit the guy
was funny!!! And extremely insightful!!
Others may offer this same story, but He
always told me he had a problem with Celtic
music, because there was no Elvis in it.
That is just the way he said it. He encouraged
my band, and even though he did not know
us that well, he offered advice, and gave
us the time of day right off the bat. Some
local musicians aren't so kind to new bands
in the beginning. Ray came across like an
old friend who would love to tell you a
story right away. He gave his all at his
show's, and even at some impromptu outings
when he wasn't playing! He was truly an
original, no phony!! He surely will be missed!
Ryan E Hynd
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