In a film about the life and career of a musical icon that is blind, there is perhaps no aspect more important than sound quality. That’s why the new Blu-ray version of Taylor Hackford’s film, Ray, starring Jamie Foxx, is a must-see. The life of music icon Ray Charles is brought to life in magnificent audio and visual clarity.
The musical performances, some of which are new to this release, are all unique. The jazz bar environment is brought to the viewer in a way that is clear and vivid. The brass from the trumpets and saxophones gleams, beads of sweat are visible percolating on the musicians’ faces, smoke fills the air and every footstep or movement on stage can be heard.
The recording sessions in the film are very elaborate in the Blu-ray edition, creating a sense of being right there in the studio as small details (like the hum of the microphone and the crispness of the instruments) are captured. One of the best performance scenes involves a full symphony, as Ray record the hit, “Georgia On My Mind.”
