csberry

This album was recorded in 1959 and presented Ray Charles surrounded by jazz big band greats and lush strings. The first half of the album was arranged by Quincy Jones and the second half consists of ballads backed by a stringed orchestra. There is no doubting that this album was to launch Ray Charles as a popular musician for all of America. The music sounds rich, Ray's voice maintains much of its character, and there aren't any rough edges that may discourage the average listener.

That is kind of my problem with the album. It is all about mainstream audiences. I know I'm projecting my own expectations of what Ray was capable of doing with blues and soul. The key to my disappointment is how smooth the sound is on the album. But the greatness to this album has nothing to do with what I wanted to get out of it, people that never would have given Ray the time of day were wooed by this album. If listening to The Genius of Ray Charles got more people to listen to his more "raw" music, then that is a good thing. For me, though, I found myself repeatedly bored with the songs' studio perfection and lack of soulful passion (outside of some moments of subdued inflection by Ray).

Songs I knew I liked: None of these versions

Songs I didn't know but now like: "Let the Good Times Roll," "Deed I Do," and "Come Rain or Come Shine."

Songs I can go the rest of my life without hearing again: Not that any of these songs are bad, I just don't crave to hear this music.