Raymond Materick

Raymond George Materick (born April 15, 1943) is a Canadian singer-songwriter, from Brantford, Ontario who particularly was well-appreciated in the mid-late 1970s, who continues to perform. He is best known for writing and performing "Linda Put the Coffee On", a major hit single in both Canada and the USA in 1975.

Ray Materick is the son of an evangelical preacher, who had previously played saxophone, trumpet, and clarinet in his own dance band, during the 1940s and 1950s. Materick's recording career commenced in 1972, with the release of Sidestreets on Kanata Records, considered to be one of Canada's first independent record labels. The label folded soon after Materick's album was released. His major national breakthrough came with the release of Neon Rain in 1974 on Warner Bros./Asylum Records, featuring the hit single "Linda Put The Coffee On" (#21 Can.). The album was produced by Eugene Martynec. Materick had been specifically signed by record executive Gary Muth as one of the first Canadian artists on the U.S. Asylum Records label, formed by David Geffen. A number of albums followed throughout the 1970s: Best Friend Overnight (1975) and Midnight Matinee (1976), both of which were produced by Don Potter and featured musical contributions from Daniel Lanois, as well as Fever in Rio (1978). Materick did not continue with Asylum Records, following the release of Midnight Matinee.

During the 1980s, Materick withdrew from music for a period of approximately eight years, assuming employment in a Toronto woodworking company. He later relocated to Hamilton, Ontario.

Materick returned to recording as of 2000, releasing seven albums of new material in two years, and has regularly released new material and compilations since that time. The majority of Materick's later releases have been on his own label, King Kong Records.

In 2012, Materick was subject to two tribute concerts, in Toronto and Hamilton, respectively, by "Honouring Our Own", an organization dedicated to honouring musicians, while living, who have made a lifelong contribution to Canadian music.

In recent years, Materick has been involved in a band project, "Peace On Earth", with Keon Crosswell (bass, guitar) and Dan Kolthof (drums).

Ray Materick toured and performed as a solo artist (and occasionally as a member of a duo) as early as the late '60s. He released his first album, Sidestreets, in 1972, but his label, Kanata Records, folded soon after. Materick then signed with Asylum and released a self-titled album in 1974, followed by Neon Rain and Days of the Heart in 1975, Best Friend Overnight in 1976 and Fever in Rio in 1978.
-John Bush

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.”

raymaterickriverboatThe 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.
-Nicholas Jennings, Nightout Magazine, December 1976

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Best Friend Overnight

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Ray Materick - Sidestreets BACK

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Neon Rain

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Sidestreets

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Tracks

Artist Track Title
Materick, Ray Feelin' Kinda Lucky Tonight Common Man Cool
Materick, Ray Workin' Joe Whiskey Common Man Cool
Materick, Ray One Thing I'll Never Ask Common Man Cool
Materick, Ray Love Will Light the Way Common Man Cool
Materick, Ray The Perfect Song Common Man Cool
Materick, Ray Lady of Light Common Man Cool
Materick, Ray Too Blue Common Man Cool
Materick, Ray Talkin' About You Common Man Cool
Materick, Ray Long Road to Heaven Common Man Cool
Materick, Ray Listen to Your Heart Common Man Cool
Materick, Ray One More Day Common Man Cool
Materick, Ray Rock and Roll Man Born in Hell Raised in Hell Gonna Die in Hell
Materick, Ray You're the Only One Born in Hell Raised in Hell Gonna Die in Hell
Materick, Ray Fool for Love Born in Hell Raised in Hell Gonna Die in Hell
Materick, Ray The Book of Revelations Born in Hell Raised in Hell Gonna Die in Hell
Materick, Ray What You Wanted Born in Hell Raised in Hell Gonna Die in Hell
Materick, Ray The Well Runs Dry Born in Hell Raised in Hell Gonna Die in Hell
Materick, Ray Third World War Born in Hell Raised in Hell Gonna Die in Hell
Materick, Ray Melting Pot Born in Hell Raised in Hell Gonna Die in Hell
Materick, Ray Loaded Gun Born in Hell Raised in Hell Gonna Die in Hell
Materick, Ray Moron Bay Born in Hell Raised in Hell Gonna Die in Hell
Materick, Ray The Day One Man Talkin'
Materick, Ray Hope One Man Talkin'
Materick, Ray Just Like Jesus One Man Talkin'
Materick, Ray Devils Rain One Man Talkin'
Materick, Ray Praise the Lord One Man Talkin'
Materick, Ray God Bless You One Man Talkin'
Materick, Ray Some Days One Man Talkin'
Materick, Ray On the Road to Damascus One Man Talkin'
Materick, Ray Tom Stone One Man Talkin'
Materick, Ray My Prayer Rugged Cross
Materick, Ray Build a Fire Rugged Cross
Materick, Ray Smile Upon a Stranger Rugged Cross
Materick, Ray Listen to Your Heart Rugged Cross
Materick, Ray The Light of Day Rugged Cross
Materick, Ray The Ballad of Tom Stone Rugged Cross
Materick, Ray The Perfect Song Rugged Cross
Materick, Ray Talkin' About You Rugged Cross
Materick, Ray Love Will Light the Way Rugged Cross
Materick, Ray Long Road to Heaven Rugged Cross
Materick, Ray Savage Season Live at The Old Roller Rink Vancouver 1976
Materick, Ray Carnival Knowledge Live at The Old Roller Rink Vancouver 1976
Materick, Ray Home From Parade Live at The Old Roller Rink Vancouver 1976
Materick, Ray Heroes Don't Need Nobody Live at The Old Roller Rink Vancouver 1976
Materick, Ray Cheeseburger Blues Live at The Old Roller Rink Vancouver 1976
Materick, Ray The Sorrow of Your Life Live at The Old Roller Rink Vancouver 1976
Materick, Ray unknown track Live at The Old Roller Rink Vancouver 1976
Materick, Ray Waiting So Long Live at The Old Roller Rink Vancouver 1976
Materick, Ray unknown track Live at The Old Roller Rink Vancouver 1976
Materick, Ray Feelin' Kinda Lucky Tonight Live at The Old Roller Rink Vancouver 1976
Materick, Ray This One's For Elvis Unreleased Assorted Tunes From Past 20 Years
Materick, Ray The Well Runs Dry Unreleased Assorted Tunes From Past 20 Years
Materick, Ray Somebody's Knockin Unreleased Assorted Tunes From Past 20 Years
Materick, Ray Home Unreleased Assorted Tunes From Past 20 Years
Materick, Ray The Holiday Bar & Grill Café Best Friend Overnight
Materick, Ray Feelin' Kinda Lucky Tonight Best Friend Overnight
Materick, Ray Blue Castle Lady Best Friend Overnight
Materick, Ray Savage Season Best Friend Overnight
Materick, Ray Best Friend Overnight Best Friend Overnight
Materick, Ray Any Day it Rains Best Friend Overnight
Materick, Ray I'd Be Your Man Best Friend Overnight
Materick, Ray Northbound Plane Best Friend Overnight
Materick, Ray Lady of Light Best Friend Overnight
Materick, Ray Waiting So Long Best Friend Overnight
Materick, Ray Goodbye Again Best Friend Overnight
Materick, Ray Sidestreets Sidestreets
Materick, Ray Cherylee Rose Sidestreets
Materick, Ray Morning Song Sidestreets
Materick, Ray Hard Life Alone Sidestreets
Materick, Ray Dear Christine Sidestreets
Materick, Ray Goodbye Sidestreets
Materick, Ray One Thing I'll Never Ask is Why Sidestreets
Materick, Ray Home From Parade Sidestreets
Materick, Ray Season of Plenty Sidestreets
Materick, Ray Final Fire Sidestreets
Materick, Ray My Lady Mine - Roll On, No Sweat Neon Rain
Materick, Ray The Mystic Highway Suite: Dreams Enough for Me; Mystic Highway; Interlude; Heroes Don't Need Nobody Neon Rain
Materick, Ray It's all So New to Me Neon Rain
Materick, Ray What this Country Needs is Another War Neon Rain
Materick, Ray I Don't Remember You At All Neon Rain
Materick, Ray Neon Rain Neon Rain
Materick, Ray Michigan Neon Rain
Materick, Ray Linda Put The Coffee On Neon Rain
Materick, Ray Only a Fool Fever In Rio
Materick, Ray California Showdown Fever In Rio
Materick, Ray Fever In Rio Fever In Rio
Materick, Ray Just a Heartbeat Fever In Rio
Materick, Ray Crazy Fools and Lovers Fever In Rio
Materick, Ray What You Want Fever In Rio
Materick, Ray You Fever In Rio
Materick, Ray Oh My Lady Fever In Rio
Materick, Ray Falling Fever In Rio
Materick, Ray Joy Fever In Rio
Materick, Ray Forever ST
Materick, Ray Heartbreak ST
Materick, Ray Rock & Roll is a Man's Game ST
Materick, Ray Might Take Some Muscle ST
Materick, Ray Rockin' to the Radio! ST
Materick, Ray Bring On the Light ST
Materick, Ray Cold in the Night ST
Materick, Ray The Way it Feels Tonight ST
Materick, Ray Lonely Tonight ST
Materick, Ray Not That Kind of Girl ST
Materick, Ray Moron Boy Rock And Roll Man
Materick, Ray Rock and Roll Man Rock And Roll Man
Materick, Ray Crazy Love Rock And Roll Man
Materick, Ray Loaded Gun Rock And Roll Man
Materick, Ray Fool for Love Rock And Roll Man
Materick, Ray The Book of Revelations Rock And Roll Man
Materick, Ray The Melting Pot Rock And Roll Man
Materick, Ray The Well Runs Dry Rock And Roll Man
Materick, Ray Listen to Your Heart Life And Times
Materick, Ray Like a Midnight Rider Life And Times
Materick, Ray Ride Away Life And Times
Materick, Ray Holiday Bar and Grill Cafe Life And Times
Materick, Ray Never Shoulda Done It Life And Times
Materick, Ray Fleshpot Life And Times
Materick, Ray Red Hot Momma Life And Times
Materick, Ray Carnival Knowledge Life And Times
Materick, Ray Emily Life And Times
Materick, Ray Ashes and Dust Life And Times
Materick, Ray Fish in the Ocean Life And Times
Materick, Ray Talkin' About You Life And Times
Materick, Ray You Babe Life And Times
Materick, Ray Sister Ruth Life And Times
Materick, Ray Linda Put the Coffee On Life And Times
Materick, Ray Feelin' Kinda Lucky Tonight Life And Times
Materick, Ray Long Thin Highway Line Life And Times
Materick, Ray Lonely Hearts Hotel Life And Times
Materick, Ray Wild World Life And Times
Materick, Ray Nothin' at All Life And Times
Materick, Ray Northbound Plane Life And Times
Materick, Ray I'd Be Your Man Life And Times
Materick, Ray Waiting So Long Life And Times
Materick, Ray Goodbye Again Life And Times
Materick, Ray Roll With the Punches Brother
Materick, Ray Peace of Mind Brother
Materick, Ray Living Water Brother
Materick, Ray The Way It Is Brother
Materick, Ray The Song of Freedom Brother
Materick, Ray Sons and Daughters Brother
Materick, Ray You Can Make It Brother
Materick, Ray Home Brother
Materick, Ray Here Forever Brother
Materick, Ray Forgiveness Brother

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