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27/07/2004 Ray Charles tribute
Music biz tributes on TV are usually a no-go area: a succession of unctuous celebs with limited imagination competing to convince you that the Sun shone out of XYZ's a**e. So Saturday's Jools Holland's tribute to Ray Charles (Ray Charles: What'd I Say, BBC2) was approached sceptically. The doubts were misplaced; it was a fine obituary for a great musician. Holland, whose easy affability has won him a large following, handled his recent extended interview with Charles skilfully. Gently probing, showing appropriate respect, without grovelling, he encouraged Charles to share his life and his wisdom (eg "forget the labels, there are only two kinds of music - good and bad"). The strong interview was complemented by some revealing live footage, including unusually frank sequences of Charles scolding his band while performing live, insisting that they do things his way. You got a judicious assessment of Ray Charles's immense talents and his formidable contribution to post-War popular music, as well as a rounded view of the man behind the music - the downside as well as the inspiring achievement. The obligatory talking heads - in the main, well-chosen Charles collaborators - were sensibly limited to a supporting role. Finishing with a youthful Stevie Winwood singing as if he were a Charles clone, and Van the Man duetting live with Charles on Crazy Love at last summer's award ceremony, was inspired: the spirit of Ray Charles lives on. Highly recommended: if this delightful programme comes to a TV channel near you, don't miss it.
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