Talk To Me – Ray Bryant & Tina May

Our audio excerpt starts right on the melody. On the full recording, it is preceded by a four-measure ensemble introduction which is notated on the vocal lead sheet. Note: the A minor lead sheet is also available

Lyric Description: In playful contrast to Ray Bryant's original instrumental title, "I Don't Care," Tina's lyrics delineate a relationship between the singer, a compassionate and empathic prospective lover, and his or her beautiful but struggling love interest. The lyrics seductively encourage said love interest to open up and to share intimate emotions.

Minus You version: The accompaniment-only Minus You track has two open choruses for vocal solos. There's an instrumental introduction of four and a half bars which is not heard on the audio clip above; the melody starts on the pick up to the fifth complete bar. Click on the Minus You tab to hear how it works with the introduction.

Since the ensemble horns are included in the Minus You MP3 it's a good opportunity to get used to singing with an ensemble playing an arrangement behind the vocalist.

Additional vocal range: Key of A: E3-F5 [mezzo soprano]. This song has a very large range.

If another key would be better for you, send the key you'd like to Don and we'll post the transposition on the website for purchase. If you're not sure which key is best, send us your range and we'll work with you to figure out the best key.

"Tina May Sings The Ray Bryant Songbook" was recorded at the legendary Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs.

Vocalist Tina May created a lyric for this surprisingly challenging melody, which oscillates between a laid back and a fast-moving structure. Ray loved her lyrics, and she sang it on the "Ray Bryant Songbook" CD which she and Ray recorded in 2002. They recorded this minor blues in Tina's key of G minor.

Ray Bryant's original composition (I Don't Care) was recorded instrumentally by the Cannonball Adderley Orchestra. Ray Bryant didn't record the tune himself until over 30 years after he wrote it, but it found its way into the hearts of other jazz greats, such as pianist Junior Mance, long before that.

Singers' Corner Minus You version: The accompaniment-only Minus You track has two open choruses for vocal solos. There's an instrumental introduction of four and a half bars which is not heard on the audio clip above; the melody starts on the pick up to the fifth complete bar. Listen to Tina's entrance CLIPA; here's how the Minus You version sounds at the beginning CLIPB.

Since the ensemble horns are included in the Minus You MP3 it's a good opportunity to get used to singing with an ensemble playing an arrangement behind the vocalist.

Additional vocal range: Key of A: E3-F5 [mezzo soprano]. This song has a very large range.

If another key would be better for you, send the key you'd like to Don and we'll post the transposition on the website for purchase. If you're not sure which key is best, send us your range and we'll work with you to figure out the best key.