Today's Country

 

 

 

 

 

The music business often sees a question asked after hearing a great album; But can they play live? For Gary Raykin he seemingly has gone about things in an opposite way. He has made a career out of performing live at high end gigs across the country and it isn't until now that he is releasing his debut album The Long Journey. On it he gives you a little bit of everything that has made him a requested performer at these gigs. Covers are scattered throughout the album and show his ability to cross genres and at times make a familiar hit song his own. His focus stays on 60's pop and rock as he tackles songs like "This Magic Moment" and "Five O'Clock World," but he also showcases his ability to perform a touching ballad as he offers up the mega-hit "Unchained Melody." Staying the vein of cover songs, he puts a swing style twist to the huge Bon Jovi hit "I'll Be There For You," and even has Richie Sambora, Bon Jovi's guitarist and co-writer of the song, playing guitar for him on it. But this album isn't just about the cover material. Gary Raykin also gives you the chance to hear what he can do with original material which is where this album takes shape and gives you a chance to see who Gary Raykin is and not just what he does. With songs like "You Are The Light," he gives you a chance to see his softer side as he sings the love focused song, and he shows off his support of our troops and the Wounded Warrior project with the very moving and touching song "Wounded Warrior." Though Gary Raykin is a newcomer to the country genre, he doesn't really stay in one place too long throughout this album. This project seems to showcase Gary Raykin's incredible ability to blur genres together while maintaining one cohesive focus as he offers with his range of covers, but with his solid original material he showcases what he can do with a country song as well.