The Genius of Ray Charles

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The Genius of Ray Charles is just a sublime example of the early talents of Ray Charles. This is before the Modern Sounds experiments, but no less stellar. Truly, this is just a fantastic album.

The first half is all bouncy jazz-pop, and the second half is all ballads. Charles is fine voice throughout, but the last string of ballads reveal ever nuance, crack and feeling in his voice... read more

Description: The Genius of Ray Charles is a 1959 album by Ray Charles. In 2003, the album was ranked number 263 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. The Genius of Ray Charles announced his breakout from rhythm and blues and onto a broader musical stage. Atlantic Records gave Charles full support in production and arrangements. As originally presented, the A side of the album featured the Ray Charles band with David "Fathead" Newman supplemented by players from the Count Basie and Duke Ellington bands, and arrangements by Quincy Jones. The B side of the original album consists of six ball The Genius of Ray Charles is a 1959 album by Ray Charles. In 2003, the album was ranked number 263 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

The Genius of Ray Charles announced his breakout from rhythm and blues and onto a broader musical stage. Atlantic Records gave Charles full support in production and arrangements.

As originally presented, the A side of the album featured the Ray Charles band with David "Fathead" Newman supplemented by players from the Count Basie and Duke Ellington bands, and arrangements by Quincy Jones.

The B side of the original album consists of six ballads with arrangements by Ralph Burns and a large string orchestra. Charles's performance of "Come Rain or Come Shine", a song identified with Frank Sinatra, brought public attention to his voice alone without the "distractions" of his soulful piano and his snappy band.

Each side contains a tribute to Louis Jordan with two songs he had hits with "Let the Good Times Roll" and ("Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying"). ... (more) (less)