Music Interview: Dale Ray – A Prince Of Performers, Or Pure Purple Patch

July 17, 2024

 

By BRUCE DENNILL

 

Prince sold at least 100 million records worldwide during his lifetime and was regarded as one of the best musicians in the world by his peers, playing as many as 27 instruments. Showtime Australia presents 1999 The Ultimate Prince Experience on the Mandela Stage at Joburg Theatre from 30 August to1 September, for its debut South African season. Dale Ray takes on the role of the legendary star

 

What are the aspects of music that most appeal to or thrill you as a listener, from lyrics to arrangements to instruments used to production techniques?

Because I am a devoted creative, I pay a lot of attention to that aspect of things as a listener too. For example, listening intently to arrangements, to what instruments are involved and what they’re doing and then, most importantly, to how what they’re doing is making me feel. I’m always impressed with a well-thought-out arrangement that doesn’t take me, the listener, any thought to feel something. The human voice is one of my favourite instruments, so a good vocal will always appeal to me too. Lastly, I am a sucker for good lyrics – nothing too cheesy. Honesty and authenticity is what I listen out for and enjoy.

 

Are those the same things you try to recreate in your writing or performance?

Yes. I strive to arrange music in a way that makes people effortlessly feel something. They need to be moved in some way without them knowing it. Just feeling it. The same applies to my vocal performance. Ironically, I work very hard to make it sound as effortless as possible, so that it doesn’t come across as too “thought-out”. And I always try to be as honest as possible when writing lyrics.

 

Which aspect of creating music comes most easily to you, and which requires the most discipline and practice? And which part of portraying Prince is the most challenging?

Vocal harmony arrangements come most easily to me. I’ve been doing that for as long as I can remember. It’s something I can do with my “ears closed”! For me, reading music requires the most discipline. I’ve played music by ear for most of my life, so reading has always been more challenging. When it comes to Prince, the hardest part for me is the physical aspect. Portraying his body movements, mannerisms, hand gestures, facial expressions and so on accurately. It’s something I am continuously working on, regardless of how many shows I do.

 

Outside of the actual music, what is, for you, the most important part of a great new release (single, album, etc)?

Truth and honesty. I like music that is not just created to impress, but created to express. The more honest the music, the more relatable it is.

 

Live performance: what is it about Prince that impressed you in terms of what he delivered on stage?

It’s going to sound as if I am running out of new things to say, but honestly, it was his authenticity. Both on stage and off. Prince did what he wanted to do and not what anyone told him to do. He wasn’t afraid to be different or what some people might call “weird”. It’s what made him so unique by just being himself – ‘dancing as if nobody is watching’ so to speak. I have also always been impressed by his energy and stamina on stage. Doing everything at 200%, never missing a beat or a note.

 

What role does music play in your life on a day-to-day basis – listening to it, writing it, practising it, buying and selling it, performing it, etc?

There are two words that come to mind: Inspiration and expression. Listening to music inspires me to be more creative. I then use that inspiration to create, play, practise, perform, arrange and all the rest. And that is my means to express myself. It becomes a healthy outlet for emotion.

 

What is the story behind The Ultimate Prince Experience – the genesis of the show, the people involved, and how you came to be involved?

I first started working for Showtime in 2010, as a keyboardist, vocalist, saxophonist and musical director. I have been involved in many of their productions and over the years developed a good working and personal relationship with producer, Johnny Van Grinsven and his team. One day, Johnny and I happened to be at a local theatre at the same time. Johnny approached me and said “I have a vision for a Prince show and I want you to be my Prince”. The rest is history.

 

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