Ray Materick - Coming into focus

The photographer was posing Ray Materick, his band and some promotion types for a casual group shot in the dressing room of Toronto's El Mocambo. They sat themselves around a table strewn with cigarette butts, guitar picks and a half-drained 40 ouncer of whiskey, waiting to be focused. Materick and his musicians had just finished a well-received first set downstairs and now, on cue, everyone began hamming it up for the benefit of the camera.

“Just one more,” promised the photographer. Ironically, the walls behind them sported a colourful collage of assorted rock star faces. All the most successful performers, the Lightfoots, the McLauchlans and the Dylans were up there, staring out from the wallpaper like olives in a salad.

Those names represent exactly the kind of international recognition that has eluded Ray Materick. With four albums, two singles and a book of poetry among his accomplishments, the singer from Hamilton, Ont. has somehow missed the limelight. His debut album, Sidestreets, was praised by Canadian critics when it was released in 1972. The Toronto Stareven dubbed it “one of the most remarkable folk albums of the year.” But his singles have received only moderate success. Country music stations plugged “Linda Put the Coffee On” and it managed to make the Top 10 two years ago. “Feelin’ Kinda Lucky Tonight” found more widespread airplay, yet was never considered a legitimate hit.

Perhaps his newest work will become the catalyst he so obviously needs. Both the album and the band which backs him are named Midnight Matinee and the result is a more polished and professional sound. Produced by Don Potter, his latest Asylum recording features songs of forgotten loves, Mexican highs and the struggle of the music business.

Materick is the first to admit that the instrumental backing of Midnight Matinee has given him an effective vehicle to present his songs: “I don’t have to worry about what kind of music the audience expects to hear anymore. With this band I feel I can supply it in all form. They can rock with the best of them. Hell, they even play a mean jazz.

“I always thought my poetry couldn’t be put to uptempo music. A lot of my material is very personal stuff with a kind of mellow mood to it. But with the guys in the band, I’ve been finding that it works. I guess they believe in my music.”

The members of Midnight Matinee have known each other for some time now. Bob Doidge, formerly of Tranquility Base, has played bass for Materick in the past and he introduced him to guitarist Dan Lanois. Keyboard player Ed Roth and drummer Bill Cymbala were also from Ancaster in the Hamilton area and they accepted an invitation to work on the new album. The band came together in the studio and has remained intact ever since.

Other Canadian folk singers have evolved out of studios with backup musicians and it appears to have become a natural progression. Murray McLauchlan has his Silver Tractors tour with him. Valdy has a new approach with his Hometown Band and is reaching a wider audience now.

Ray Materick has always had the songwriting ability to rank with the best of them. It’s been five years since he left all the dead-end factory jobs to pursue a career in music, and it is understandable that at times he has become discouraged with the lack of acceptance in the North American markets. But, with a distinctive new album and a unique ensemble of musical friends to compliment his songs, he may finally gain the visibility he deserves.

Originally published in Nightout magazine December 1976