Sugaray Blues

"La voix en or du Blues"

Genre: Blues

"...un formidable vocaliste, un véritable blues shooter(...)
Le chant de Sugaray nous flanque des frissons partout..."

De Caron "Sugaray" Rayford, on peut dire qu'il est tombé dans la marmite du blues quand il était petit! Mais il ne faut pas se fier à la stature du bonhomme: sa voix, puissante et dynamique, transmets une émotion pure, et il bouge sur scène avec une grâce et une énergie incroyables!
Originaire du Texas (USA), sorti d'un milieu social très pauvre, il a commencé à chanter à l'âge de sept ans à l'église, l'influence du Gospel se ressent d'ailleurs dans sa musique.
il rejoint les Aunt Kizzy'z Boyz, sera deux fois primé puis enchaine deux albums et une tournée internationales qui amène le groupe notamment au festival Blues-sur-Seine, et à se produire en première partie de la grande Etta James.
En 2007, l’album « It’s tight like that » fait partie des 10 albums les plus diffusés par le collectif des radios blues en France. Son nouvel album, « Blind Alley »,(juillet 2010) est déjà un succès absolu !
http://www.sugarayblues.com

FLYIN' SAUCERS GUMBO SPECIAL
Amassant une critique presse unanime pour leur album THE CRAWFISH GROOVE en marge de leurs concerts torrides au BLUES PASSION COGNAC 2010, les FLYIN SAUCERS GUMBO SPECIAL s'imposent aujourd'hui comme le groupe de référence français du blues et musiques apparentées de Louisiane.
Leur credo depuis 10 ans? le côté festif de la musique, donc du blues... celui des « fais dodo » de Lafayette ou Bâton Rouge, succulent cocktail de compositions jouissives de zydeco, rock’n’roll, funk, blues, cajun, le tout bourré d'émotion. " Leur blues part des bayous de Louisiane pour aller très loin devant lui sans franchement se fixer de limite" Fred DELFORGE ZICAZIC.
Comme le dit la presse , s’ils passent près de chez vous , ne les manquez pas !

Cédric LE GOFF : Hammond, piano, chant (ex-Malted Milk)
Fabrice JOUSSOT : guitare, dobro, chant
Fabio IZQUIERDO : harmonica, mélodéon, rubboard, chant
Jean-Charles DUCHEIN: basse, chant
Stéphane STANGER : batterie
- le sonograph

Reviewer James Skyy Dobro Walker

Sugaray - Blind Alley Self Release 10 Songs; 40:35 Minutes; Suggested Styles: Soul, Blues, Gospel For me, experiencing Sugaray s wonderful, debut solo album has been a study of the Propinquity Effect. Explained by the Mere Exposure Effect, it holds that the more exposure a stimulus gets, the more likeable it becomes. For example, people generally like a song (or album) more after they have heard it a few times. After a few listens, this CD became very likeable to me. However, I first found, and still find, the first fifteen seconds of the first song to be startle reflex style nerve grating. I can imagine an overly busy radio programmer or reviewer popping in a CD and listening to the first song. Upon hearing an opening of harsh cacophony, that person throws it in the trash and hollers, Next. That approach would be totally unfair, but, I am thinking, not unrealistic in this age of sensory and CD overload. Trashing the balance of this album would be tragic because it is chock full of exceptional artistry. Texas born Caron Sugaray Rayford is a big man (6 5 ) with an equally big voice that superbly echoes Muddy Waters and Otis Redding. Growing up in Gospel and Soul, he switched to contemporary music in the San Diego area, singing lead vocals with Urban Gypsys. Soon giving his heart and soul to Blues, he next became lead vocalist for Aunt Kizzy z Boyz, a Temecula CA Blues band. Aunt Kizzy z Boyz won second place in Memphis 2006 at the International Blues Challenge. After moving to Los Angeles, Sugaray met and played with innumerable world-class musicians. His solo career has flourished in LA, and he has done studio vocals on several projects. He has partnered with Chuck Kavooras, a long time LA guitarist and owner of Slide Away Studios who booked artists around Sugaray s vocals. Kavooras produced and recorded this debut solo project. Sugaray states, I am so grateful for the high caliber of talent [22 guest artists] that has played on this project. Each successive listen revealed the intricate layers of different genres and woven tapestry of diverse and exciting sounds behind Sugaray s skilled singing adaptations. Blind Alleys ten songs feature two co-written by Sugaray, Blind Alley (Ralph Carter/ Rayford) and I Sing the Blues (Sugaray/Chuck Kavooras). It also contains a splendid collection of eight covers by Al Kooper, Blind Willie Johnson, Son House, B.B. King, Arthur Adams, and Joe Gorfinkle. True deep Blues moments are found on tracks two and three, Dark was the Night, Cold Was the Ground and Death Letter. Audibly dedicated to Rayford s late mother, the former features Chuck Kavooras on slide guitar with Sugaray moaning Gospel sorrow. After two minutes, a heart wrenching version of Son House s Death Letter follows with Kavooras adding the best slide guitar since Jack White s version. Blind Alley, the Soulful title, is a great Voo-Doo woman story. At seven minutes plus, this killer is laced with layers of keyboards, sax, trumpet, guitars, and backup vocals. I swear I hear beautiful Beatles influences in Rayford s slow and smooth version of Al Kooper s I Let love Slip Thru My Fingers. As fine of a Blues song as you d ever want to hear is the slow and intricate I Sing the Blues. Sugaray co-wrote it with Kavooras, and once again it features a great lineup of musicians. For his debut, Sugaray has split the uprights from 55 yards back! This CD is just loaded with wonderful sounds and music, more appreciated with each listen.

James Skyy Dobro Walker is a noted Blues writer, DJ, Master of Ceremonies, and longtime Blues Blast Magazine contributor. His weekly radio showFriends of the Blues can be heard Saturdays 8 pm - Midnight on WKCC 91.1 FM - Blues Blast Magazine

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2011
By Ron Weinstock

Texas born Caron “Sugaray” Rayford began singing in the church, and while he has roots in gospel and soul. In San Diego, he began fronting a funk/R&B band, the Urban Gypsys, but while dabbling in the blues he realized his heart and soul were in this idiom. He started fronting Aunt Kizzy’z Boyz, with whom he made some recordings and competed in the International Blues Challenge. Moving a couple years ago to Los Angeles, Sugar Ray he hosted up a jam in Sherman Oaks and then hooked up with guitarist Chuck Kavooras whose CK All Stars became the house band for the jam. The house band is a rotating group of musicians who have played with numerous legends and famous folk like Al Kooper, Slash, Steve Lukather (Toto) and Mike Finnigan have sit in. Sugaray recently issued “Blind Alley” (self-produced) recorded at Kavooras’ Slideaway Studio with a variety of musicians joining them as well as contributing material.

Sugaray is a big man and has an equally powerful voice. The church roots are clearly evident when he sings on a nice varied mix of material. He comes roaring on “ Nuthin’ I Wouldn’t Do (For A Woman Like You),” one of two songs Al Kooper contributed here. It features wailing harp, some blues-rocking guitar and a busy accompaniment that, however, doesn’t smother his personality. With Kavooras’ stark slide and use of tremolo guitar, Sugar renders a field holler moan on the rendition of a Blind Willie Johnson recording “Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground,” a performance dedicated to his mother. Sugaray’s strong sing does justice to Son House’s “Death Letter” which opens simple hand clapping and tambourine behind Kavooras stark delta groove before the band kicks in and the guitarist rocks out a bit on his solo.

The title track, which Sugaray co-wrote, takes us from updated country blues to an uptown soul-blues with a funky groove, riffing horns, and a vocal that evokes Artie ‘Blues Boy’ White and the late Little Milton. Phil Parlapiano’s piano break adds to this tracks strong appeal. Some nice Albert King styled guitar opens the slow drag groove reworking of B.B. King’s “ You Upset Me Baby,” that again showcases his ability as a singer as provides a convincing low-key reading of the lyrics.

Al Kooper’s soulful ballad, “ I Let Love Slip Thru My Fingers,” provides an opportunity for him to show another side of his style with some nice saxophone from Jimmy Z. His rendition of a terrific Arthur Adams song, “You Can’t Win For Losing,” is another strong soul-blues performance that evokes classic Little Milton. A short gospel performance with just organ and vocal chorus, “I Got to Move,” is followed by the strong “I Sing The Blues,” about him being raised in the country and his whole life has been a struggle,” set against a moody horn arrangement as he really reaches deep in the gut for his vocal here. “Overnight Sensation” has a jazzy flavor with some nice clarinet from Geoff Nudell while Kavooras taking a more low-key approach here.

Sugaray Rayford impresses this listener more each time I play “ Blind Alley.” Not many singers can take us from the delta to the modern chitlin’ circuit as easily as he does. A big man with a big voice and plenty of personality that makes “Blind Alley” a recording to savor. His website is http://sugarayblues.com/ and this can be purchased at cdbaby.com. He impressed me enough that I am likely to check out the two discs by Aunt Kizzy’z Boyz that he was vocalist on. Posted by Ron W
- Jazz & Blues Report / In A Blue Mood

Don Vecchio

In a nutshell, pure old- time blues. Sugaray, born Caron Rayford, has a strong, soulful, bluesy voice. His CD, Blind Alley, will have you swaying and bouncing . My only problem with the CD is that he only does a couple originals. They are good Blind Alley and I sing the Blues. The title song, Blind Alley, features some nice horns and soulful background vocals. I want more from him! That aside, I love this CD. He is a big Al Kooper fan (me, too). He does 2 Kooper tunes, including the opening song, Nuthin I Wouldn't Do ( For a Woman Like You). He does a wonderful cover here. Nice harmonica and vocals with great lyrics.I'd fight dragons with a toothpick just to prove to you I care. He also does covers ( very well by the way) of Son House's Death Letter Blues, B.B. King's You Upset Me Baby, Blind Willie Johnson's Dark Was the Night and Arthur Adams You Can't Win For Losing Also, he shows his strong vocal ability on I've got to Move (be it brief). This CD doesn't lack anything. It has dark, soulful blues and lively, bouncy tunes. People have complained that most of today's newer blues artists are mostly derivations of blues... Blues/Rock, Texas/ Blues and so forth. THIS IS BLUES ! I have suggested that people get CDSs before- this one you MUST buy! - Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania

Review By John Vermilyea

Whether it be Soul, Blues, Gospel, or all points in between, the fact still remains that you are not going to find much of a better Artist to sing them then Sugaray.

At 6'5" Sugaray is a big man, which is one of the reasons he is really able to belt out a song, but his ability to get even deeper into the music comes from his rich musical past. Sugaray was born Caron “Sugaray” Rayford and his love for music began as many great singers had, in Church, at a young age, singing and playing the drums. It is from those roots that he found his love for Gospel and Soul.

About 12 years ago he got into the mainstream of music a bit deeper with being the lead singer for an R&B/Funk band called Urban Gypsys. It is with that band that his career had the great opportunity to become finely honed via sharing the stage with many greats, such as, "The Average White Band, Dennis Quaid, Joe Louis Walker, Kal David, Super Diamond & Venice, to name a few". After his stint with the Urban Gypsys, he moved to a more bluesier band, Aunt Kizzy’z Boyz, where he continued to gain popularity as a great blues singer, even to the point of the band coming in second place at the 2006 International Blues Challenge (IBC). Over the last 2 years Sugaray has been working on his solo career which has come to the release of his dynamic and ground breaking debut solo, "Blind Alley".

"Blind Alley" consists of 10 Tracks, 2 of which were co-written by Sugaray, "Blind Alley" (Ralph Carter/Caron “Sugaray” Rayford) and "I Sing the Blues" (Sugaray & Chuck Kavooras). "Blind Alley" also contains a wonderful collection of 8 Covers, by Al Kooper, Blind Willie Johnson, Son House, B.B. King, Arthur Adams, and Joe Gorfinkle. With such a diverse amount of music, Sugaray really showed off his adaptive singing skills.

"Blind Alley" starts off with a harmonica infused classic, "Nuthin' I Wouldn’t Do (For a Woman Like You)", which was written by Al Kooper, one of 2 songs that Al granted Sugaray permission to use on this album. The both of them had sang together a couple years back which Sugaray states, "was a phenomenal experience and one I will always remember".

Next up is "Dark was the Night, Cold Was the Ground", a Blind Willie Johnson, which Sugaray dedicated to his mother whom passed away from cancer in 1984. Sugaray explains that this Gospel-Blues song, which was believed to be written and performed by Blind Willie Johnson around 1927 was "one of 27 samples of music included on the Voyager Golden Record, launched into space in 1977 to represent the diversity of life on Earth. "Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground" was chosen as the human expression of loneliness." It is a song done to perfection with just Chuck Kavooras on Slide Guitar and Sugaray offering up a sprinkle of Gospel sorrow. The track which is just under 2 minutes in length, is followed more than appropriately with an amazing redention of the Son House song, "Death Letter". In addition to Kavooras' continuing his magic on the Slide Guitar, he is also accompanied by "Grammy award winning Tim Bogert of Vanilla Fudge on this haunting Son House cover, with Bryan Head (Foreigner) on the drums they make a dynamic duo." This is one very raw and very powerful song, and as sad a song of loss probably ever written.

"Blind Alley" the title is next track up and the first of the co-written songs, with Ralph Carter being his co-writer on this one. Sugaray explains that they took several months writing this song and once you listen to it you will see that it was time certainly well spent. Sugaray shows us his big and bold Soulful side on this 7+ minute beauty, laced with Keyboards, Sax, Trumpet, and backup Vocals.

Next up is"You Upset Me", a BB King Classic that Sugaray does a beautiful job on, which he describes as being done in a, "Slow and funky Albert King style".

Sugaray's vocals take center stage and come shining through on the next track, "I Let love Slip Thru My Fingers", the other Al Kooper song on this Album. This song is done Slow and Silky, and melts like fine chocolate on a warm summers day.

"You Can’t Win For Losing" a Arthur Adam song picks up the pace a bit and gives Chuck Kavooras on Rhythm Guitar and Jim King Lead Guitar a time to shine. Getting in on the act are the amazing backup vocals of Alicia Morgan & Francesca Capasso.

The next track is "I’ve Got to Move", which is an uncredited public domain song. It is 46 seconds in length and lets Sugaray show you a bit of what he can do to a Gospel song. Teddy Andreadis on Organ and Lisa D. Foreman on Back Up Vocals, accompany Sugaray on this gem of of tidbit. You get a chance to hear just how good Sugaray would sound in church on any given Sunday.

"I Sing the Blues" is the second last track on "Blind Alley" and the second of the 2 co-written songs. This time Sugaray co-wrote with his guitar player Extraodinaire on this Album, Chuck Kavooras. Once again Sugaray takes us down Highways Soulful Slow Lane, with his masterful singing and his great lineup of musicians including the Legendary Gary Mallaber on Drums, Chuck Kavooras on Guitar, Ralph Carter on Bass, Phil Parlapiano on Keyboard, Allan Walker on Sax, and Gary Bivona on Trumpet. This tune grabs you and sits you squarely in an classic smoky nightclub.

The closing track on "Blind Alley" is one that Sugaray has a lot of fun with called "Overnight Sensation". This song is written by Joe Gorfinkle and jokes about the fact of him being referred to as an "Overnight Sensation", even though he has been plying his trade for over 25 years. It is a great tune with some fabulous Clarinet by Geoff Nudell.

For a Solo Debut Album, "Blind Alley" is certainly one of the better ones released this year. It is as much fun as it diverse to listen to and one I have no problem recommending to any lover of great Soul, Blues, and Beyond music, sung about as good as anyone out there nowadays can sing it. I am certainly looking forward to more Albums by Sugaray, especially if he follows the excellent formula and magic used on "Blind Alley".

Review By John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)
- Blues Underground Network

Date: 06/2011
Writer: David Horwitz

Simi Valley, CA has it going on! The 22nd annual Simi Valley Cajun and Blues Music Festival was held Memorial Day weekend, May 28-29. I had a gig the 27th and the 29th but made a point to drag myself up early Saturday morning the 28th and drive over two hours to catch at least one day. What a treat it turned out to be! Relaxing, exciting and downhome all rolled into one gently sprawling event that felt like a community fair/music festival. An added surprise was seeing Blues Foundation pals Jay and Priscilla Sieleman representing here all the way from Memphis , TN.

Musically, the Delta Groove All-Star Revue seemed to dominate the day and in a good way. On the Blues Stage we were treated to a solid plethora of fine talent that Delta Groove has come to be known for: Kirk Fletcher, Finis Tasby, Rusty Zinn and Bob Corritore just to name a few featured, plus my personal friend and fireball recently signed with the DG label, soulful powerhouse vocalist / entertainer Sugaray Rayford and also special surprise, Bay Area Blues stalwart, Tracy Nelson complete with her own backup singers. A super surprise to us all was guest Kenny Neal! The day's music rotated like a giant sampler platter off your favorite menu complimented with hot CD giveaways's by Delta Groove 's Randy Chortkoff.. Intermingled with the tasty DG artists and their allstar backup band was a rockin', funky set by Ana Popovic and a soulful and riveting finale by John Nemeth. The lowkey atmosphere mixed with high caliber talent was inviting and accessible and it appeared that there were many annual devotees… count me in!
- Blues Festival Guide

April 28, 2011

Do you love unexpected happenings as much as I do? Ever have your boss give you a raise “just because”? Did your wife ever surprise you guys with a bunch of flowers? Well, when I first sized up this disc and saw that the songs were mostly covers from Al Kooper, B.B. King, Arthur Adams, Son House, and others, I was a little hesitant. Then I realized I’d been given a blues gift when my ears were opened up by the sounds coming out of the speakers. What a loud joyous noise!

Sugaray is a Texas gospel man that moved to San Diego and got the blues. Even with all that sun and fun, you can still get down and out. Some of you may know him as the singer from R&B outfit Aunt Kizzy’z Boyz, who took second place at the International Blues Challenge in 2006. Since then he headed north to Los Angeles and left the rhythm behind to focus on the blues.

This is his first solo album, and he is backed by musicians who have been staring at some of the biggest-named behinds in the business. Springsteen, Eddie Money, John Mayall, Vanilla Fudge, Bruce Hornsby, The Temptations, and Steve Miller all have had these guys backing them. So you get an idea of the pedigree here. This is some serious stuff. They come together like a strong support group helping a new member.

Sugaray could do the public address at a sporting event without a microphone. His voice is that big. So naturally the band needed to step up to the plate, and they hit a dinger here with some hard-driving original rhythms. The rhythms are the audience and Sugaray is the preacher on the album. You know how they say you can change gospel music and R&B by changing the topic from God to women? Well, this album is close to that. Although it is a deeper shade of blue than any gospel album.

Blind Alley starts off at its brightest moment with Al Kooper’s “Nothin’ I Wouldn’t Do (For a Woman Like You).” The song is strong, upbeat, and contagious. You are hooked from the beginning. A brilliant pick for the first song. As soon as I hit play I knew the album is going to keep playing until the end.

Then the second song is quietly introduced as a dedication to his mother who passed away. “Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground” clocks in at 1:50, with Chuck Kavooras playing a haunting guitar part and Sugaray moaning through the song. It’s an amazing piece that you have to hear. Now that the hairs on the back of your neck are on end, Kavooras rips into Son House’s “Death Letter.” I think this song is on the overdone list, but this version didn’t do me in. The gritty slide guitar gives it a great attitude, and Sugaray just might come to tears by the end of the song if it goes on any longer.

The rest of the album blends the gospel, funk, and blues sounds into a wall of sound. The horns riff through the original “Blind Alley” with the subtle accents of the female backup singers at just the right moments. Even clocking in at a hefty 7:22 you wouldn’t mind taking a U-turn and doing it all over again. If you need a healin’ cue up “You Can’t Win for Losin’.” It’s about those dog days we all have, but Sugaray’s delivery is so upbeat your spirits are up in the clouds with angels while this song is on.

There are big voices in the world, and Sugaray is one left standing after a ten-round fight. He has a band that is expressive as a Van Gogh and just as thick in texture. And if you want to know how blue they can get, Sugaray will tell you in “I Sing the Blues.”
Kyle M. Palarino is contributing editor to BluesWax.
- Blues Wax