Ray Allen Chains (CD)

Sixth album by Ray Allen and band featuring wonderfully melodic rockabilly, country, and piano rock ‘n’ roll in the style of the 50s and 60s
Mathias Arnold, better known as Ray Allen, is undoubtedly one of the leading figures on the German rock ‘n’ roll scene. Whether solo, in a duo, trio, or quartet, the singer, songwriter, and guitarist is one of the outstanding performers of late 50s/early 60s rock ‘n’ roll in this country, who also effortlessly conjures up 13 wonderful and varied original compositions, as he does once again here on “Chains.” Such a work is then recorded in style at Axel Praefcke's fully analog Lightning Recorders studio in Berlin, where The Round Up Boys also provide part of the studio band. From sweetly melancholic ballads to lively dance hits, everything is gathered here once again, and the crowning glory of it all is Allen's fascinatingly soulful vocals. “Chains” is a true masterpiece, the likes of which only Ray Allen can achieve in this league in this country.