The Ray King Soul Band - Live at the Playboy Club 1968.
by Pete Clemons
I noticed recently a commercial on TV advertising a programme called 'Secrets of the Playboy'. The television show claimed to explore the truth behind the Playboy empire famous for its gaming and bunny girl croupiers. Seeing that documentary advertised made me wonder if Coventry group, The Ray King Soul Band - who once recorded an LP at that very venue, would be featured.
After playing dozens of gigs in Coventry and surrounding areas the reputation of The Ray King Soul Band quickly spread. Gigs were arranged way beyond the Coventry boundaries. In fact The Ray King Soul Band performed an estimated 250 to 300 gigs between 1966 through to 1970. Possibly many more. These gigs were held in many parts of the country and included at least one trip to France. And these figures do not include Ray's gigs with his previous band The King Size Kings.
A gig by Ray and the band could last as long as two and a half hours to three hours. Quite a feat back then. News of The Ray King Soul Band reached London and, after many gigs in the capitol, the band were asked by the famous Playboy Club to perform there. During 1968 The Soul Band were offered a weekend residency. And from that residency an LP was released on the Direction label a subsidiary of CBS records.
Booking agent Victor Sutcliffe was, by then, dealing with Ray's gigs. And Victor added the sleeve notes to the album. He wrote 'Ray King Soul Band live session ingredients, one Ray King voice, one Tim Whelan tenor sax (with a dash of baritone), a large helping of Malc the Jenks drums, add Paul Williams guitar, Tony Lucas bass, mix with generous portion of Malc Aldridge type Hammond organ and leave to play for three hours in the London Playboy Club. Result, high quality, high fidelity long playing 12 inch album with an audience who for a few brief hours forgot that they had to go to work the following morning. Seldom on record does a live session give the same feeling as one would actually get from being there, but, this is as close as damn it. Already one of the three most popular bands in the London clubs the Ray King Soul Band is destined for the really big time, so when the opportunity is there, take it, become one of the many lovers of the Ray King Soul Band sound'.
And Victor, who headed the Tangerine Agency in London, wasn't wrong. DJ Johnnie Walker, who once wrote a soul column for a major music magazine, was flooded with readers letters recommending the band. In his column Johnnie once said: 'Thanks very much for your many letters re The Ray King Soul Band. They have just returned from a tour of France and are currently doing a week both on the 'David Symonds Show' and at the Playboy Club. This is a return gig for the band who, when there last, recorded there show for a new LP just available on the Direction label. 'Live at the Playboy' includes 'Mercy', 'Respect', 'Save Me', 'Knock on Wood', 'Malita' (a Ray King original), 'Funky Broadway', 'Hold on I'm Comin' etc etc. Haven't heard it yet but it should be very good'.
However album reviews were not exactly as enthusiastic. They were mixed, favourable and not hugely critical of the LP. Any issues were mainly around the sound: 'Nothing new here but its soul with a healthy sound and big beat. Nicely played too, but songs like 'Respect', 'Knock on Wood' and 'I'm a Man' are nearing retirement, for a while at least. The recording is occasionally a little muzzy and off balance but they do build a fair degree of excitement'.
'Featuring songs such as 'Respect' and 'Knock on Wood' this is really a discotheque sound, with audience participation plus announcements, some live soul singing from Ray and a compact sound behind featuring mostly organ and tenor sax. These boys really go – not distinctive but exciting'.
By the time of the record's release the music scene was rapidly changing. That said The Ray King Soul Band continued success in London was not just a flavour of the month. It lasted for another couple of years till the band broke up during 1970. Even after that Ray was in demand. But what a legacy they left us with.
An earlier article on Ray King by Pete Clemons on this blog
I'm a Man
Gimmie a Little Sign
Soon You'll be Gone
Knock on Wood
Jordan River
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We used to watch The Ray King Soul Band at The Mercer’s Arms or The Walsgrave in Coventry on a regular basis in the mid to late 60’s. King Fire was normally the supporting D.J.
ReplyDeleteWe had some really great nights. The Ray King Soul Band were excellent, and it’s a shame they never had greater success.
Great memories Paul. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteI was a part time roadie for the band in the sixties great band
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