Ray Benson Beyond Time (CD)

(Audium Records) 12 tracks

The Asleep At The Wheel frontman's first solo album with guest appearances from Dolly Parton, Stanley Jordan, Delbert McClinton and Jimmie Vaughan

Ray Bensons has taken some time out to look back on his career with his first solo album Beyond Time. On the album, the Asleep at the Wheel frontman pulls out all the stops and proves that he can handle a good old country song just as well as the spirit of Dean Martin. The album crosses all musical boundaries, with Benson's melting chocolate voice rarely falling short. It invites even the most casual and cynical listener to recognize the artist's place in world music, and like a fine wine or a rusty porch swing, this is a musical pioneer that will only get better with age.

“I've learned to play and write music by listening to over 100 years of recorded music, and it's hard for me to ignore any of it: Jazz, blues, country-western, singer-songwriter and pop - I love them all,” says Benson, and the highlights of Beyond Times show how easilythe singer can adapt his voice to any of these genres.