The Genius Of Ray Charles

This was my grandpas fav album and it makes me think of him and smile. He was my favourite person. This music is so beautiful and relaxing!

One half of abrasive, distorted horns and raucous blues, one half of piano ballads. Really feels like tweo seperate mini albums. Great singing, hit and miss on the songs.

Really great album! I love this old shit, it’s got a particular style that you just can’t shy away from whether that’s in the recording process or just the people back in those days. But man this is great. 5/5

Timeless

Ray Charles is just a delight. It's a bit big-band over the top for me as an album but the songs are great and man can Ray sing. Pretty fun album top to bottom.

So, Ray Charles still gets played a lot today because of the way he fused Jazz, Gospel & R&B. The LP What’d I Say, which came out in the same year as this, I would expect to see on the 1001 list (it isn’t). Instead you get covers of jazz-pop standards. They’re well delivered and I guess he won over members of the Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett crowd but the modern musicians/stars who cite him as an influence aren’t doing so because of stuff like this. It appears the only other RC album put forth by 1001 (1st ed.) is Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music (?)

Knocked me for a doozy the first time so I went back for round two, when it didn't pack the same punch. It's in the same mode as the fabulous Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, but unlike that one it doesn't have as cute a concept to tuck the edges in other than the big band side A/ivory tickling side B split. Mostly, that highlights how much more Charles adds to these standards with soulful tinkling. Even though he's an incredible arranger, the big band treatment a) is more typical for these songs, and b) drowns out his primary grift, which is his generosity of spirit. The evidence is Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying and Come Rain or Come Shine (side B). They're the nailed-on A pluses; gorgeous examples of his genius for climbing up and down the scales so tenderly and subtly that you don't realise he's put a lump in your throat and a butterfly in your tummy until you try to swallow.

Everyone knows ray charles but I feel like there isn’t any single song or album anyone points to when referencing him. However, this album was great from start to finish. Loved the trumpets and rays voice. Fav: just for a thrill

old saxy tunes. slow and boring

I like Ray Charles, I got a bit bored of all the big band kinda sound though.

Enjoyed the two listens. Only tracks I really dug were Sympathy for the Devil, Street Fightin Man, and Salt of the Earth. After five listens, these are incredible ballads in the second half of this record. Wow, just wow.

Pleasant enough, but this Big Band shit ain’t for me.

I love his voice but found myself getting bored

The first couple tracks didn't do much for me, but the more the album went on the more I really liked the somber and string-filled tracks. He's got a great voice, and the choir enhances the songs rather than feeling unnecessary, something that happens too often in this era of music. Piano is great too, jazzy without being overwhelmingly nonsensical. Sure, it's mostly dinner party music, but it's pretty, I could see myself liking this a lot more as time passes, but I already like this quite a bit.

Chose this specifically for morning work while jet-lagged. Was a nice chill listen. If your in for some chill big band and jazz this is a nice one. "Come Rain or Come Shine" is a very nice track that showcases Ray Charles singing.

Ok beginning and good end. Middle all sounded the same to me.

for as ubiquitous as Ray Charles is in culture, i've never really spent much time with his music beyond a small handful of his biggest hits. this record is a treat, he's really flexing his vocal chops and making it sound easy. for 1959 when most pop music felt like aural bubble gum, Ray's really dripping with a raw emotion here that was rare for the time, especially in the back half once the choral and string arrangements get thick and hearty on the run of ballads he knocks out.

One thing this list showed me is that I absolutely love old Jazz and Blues. Great stuff.

ray charles is awesome, this is all i got to say about this album honestly. was i gayyyyyyyy, till todayyyyyyyyyy??

This album transported me to so many places in the 1950s/60s: jazz club late at night just vibing- maybe dancing with a handsome man, a cozy, dark living room smoking a cigarette from a holder and drinking a glass of gin, a fancy, expensive restaurant. His voice is like a velvet blanket. So full of soul and life but effortless. A perfect album.

I think I’ve raved before about the desperation with which popular( i.e. “pop”)singers in the 1950’s felt that the yardstick for success was recording with strings. Brother Ray was no different. What I didn’t realise was that Ray climbed that mountain when he was still with Atlantic, who released this record. All of Side 2 features strings. I always thought that Charles left Atlantic & went to ABC Records because they promised to record him with strings. Apparently, however, it was because they offered him higher royalties & ownership of his masters. Anyway, there’s nothing not to like on either side of this record. It opens with a Louis Jordan cover that’s almost the equal of the original. A great version of It Had To Be You follows (the song now most identified with the film When Harry Met Sally) & then the only dud here - Alexander’s Ragtime Band? Really? I’ve never understood why This song is constantly wheeled out by great singers who should know better. But then he slides straight into Percy Mayfield’s Two Years Of Torture - the bluesiest song on the whole record & an absolute winner. The band on Side 1 is awesome - the horns are drawn from great swing bands and their charts are arranged by people like Quincy Jones. Side 2 is a huge contrast. But Ray Charles ‘s vocals shine with any backing & the strings also work for him. The highlights are the final 2 cuts - the great, great Am I Blue (written in 1929, the line “Was I gay?” really makes you smile these daze) & Ray’s magnificent version of Come Rain Or Come Shine. Swings & Strings. It’s a winner for me.

all of the songs were just really good and i enjoyed them a lot nothing else to say

Toe tappin'. Great big band sound. Fabulous voice. That piano playing. Every song is delicious. There may be more instantly classic examples of this genre but this collection of songs is no less outstanding for it. Don't let the sun catch you cryin' is certainly a classic. The string arrangement my god. Brings to mind John Barry's best, which would come later. I was bouncing off this one this morning and not really having it. The went back to it this evening and am glad I did, you've got to listen to this in the evening. With or without a decent glass of red. It's an album to reward the end of a day well lived, rather than one to kick it off.

Lovely, just bloody lovely.

Awesome -- great music all around. I'm not sure I realized what a big band musician he was. I always kinda figured more of his stuff was kinda stripped down, but it really sounds like classic 50's-60's big band music. Great for weddings, dinner, and cooking.

Man, if you title an album the genius of your own self(!) you best bring the goods. And Ray sure did. ‘Course he had had six LPs before this to practice, close to a decade in the making for a lot of artists, some even longer. But Ray’s debut LP was released in 1957, a mere two years before this, his seventh! That’s Beatles’ territory. Except that Ray was there first. So, technically, the Beatles were in Ray’s territory. One of the things most noticeable about Ray Charles is his ability to make any song- no, any genre- his own. Give him a standard, and it’ll swing before Ray’s done with it. Give him a torch song, he’ll cook with it. Give him a country & western song, for God’s sake, and he’ll serve it as chicken fried soul food. And Ray opens right up with his signature swing on ‘Let The Good Times Roll,’ his anecdote to the blues, and with a number of options open, honey, including… you know. Rocking and rolling was originally a 17th century expression used by seamen to describe the motion of a ship on the sea. Eventually, though, it grew into a way of referring to a rhythmic movement of any kind. And if some of you young bloods have not yet learned this, there’s a time for rockin’ and then a time for rollin’. You’ll end up rockin’ if you begin by rollin.’ Doesn’t work the other way. Ray knows that. Now you do, too. Swinger . But these more upbeat, good time numbers are only supporting actors in this cast. The lead is the blues. We’ve swung a bit on side one, dipped our toes a bit in the blues already (but even ‘Two Years Of Torture,’ despite the title, was loaded with plenty of big band sparkle), and ended with a celebration of love, the answer to the question, ‘Do I need you, honey?’ ’Deed I Do.’ But by the time side two opens, lord have mercy. Ray must have known that by side two we’d be 2-3 drinks in, prepared emotionally for where the blues will take us. But again, not just any blues, but Ray’s special blend. When were the blues ever so smooth, so… delicious? God, if my blues could feel like ‘Am I Blue?’ sounds! On ‘Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Cryin’,’ have you ever heard someone dissed and dismissed, but served so scrumptiously, like a rich chocolate eclaire with a cup of silky French roast coffee. Luther Ingram had a big hit in 1972 with ‘If Lovin’ You Is Wrong, I Don’t Want To Be Right.’ Well, if being blue, the Ray Charles way, is wrong, than I don’t wanna be right either. And finally, the piece de resistance. Whereas the opening number offered the anecdote to the blues in the quest for a good time, he ends with another solution, and one that will ultimately conquer the blues altogether: Love. The genius of unconditional love, come rain or come shine.

I really liked this album mainly because I'm a sucker for oldie-pop with the piano and orchestra in the background. His voice is soothing in the slow song and great in the louder songs. Overall it was a great album that exemplified that time. Favorite track: Just for a Thrill

Now this is how it's done. Tight. Short and sweet. Though the big band opening made me a little nervous for the opening song Let the Good Times Roll. Great album

The album started stronger than it ended. Love the big band Fran Sinatra-esque sound. “It had to be you” and “Deed I do” potentially first dance of my wedding songs. Rays voice is incredible and so distinct.. Even though the album is not the best produced, his voice and playing takes centre stage.. I actually kind of like the way production is not too crisp, it has a raw feel with some smooth backing vocals, I’m getting some wizard of oz vibes at times. A lot of cute love, love that’s been lost and love lust songs. The album opener “let the good times roll” has a simplistic message of enjoying life regardless of your position in the world, you just got to spend some cash!! Haha 😂 and to be honest all the lyrics on the album seem to have a ‘to the point’ simplicity which is nice to listen to when sometimes music can be so open to interpretation and multiplicity of meaning (which is great, don’t get me wrong) where it’s left to the listener to extract their own meaning, it’s a nice change of beat to what I’m used to. Second half of the album drops to a simpler kind of sound. Which I like but it’s hard for me to describe, I just found it a little less interesting. “Don’t let the sun catch you crying” is a great single though, those “violins” 🤷‍♂️ answered back by rays keys ❤️ Maybe I just lost a bit of concentration on the second half of the album. (this review is after one and half listens) 6.8/10 maybe 🤷‍♂️, it’s hard to say on first albums score, I think I need more points to attach my opinion to, a point of focus to relate to. Still would recommend a listen to a friend ✌️

Great Listen Watching the sandlot as a wee boy and listening to Ray Charles sing America the Beautiful is imprinted on my brain Best Song: Am I Blue Worst Song: N/A Best Lyric: "Was I gay?"

-old school 50’s swing album -alexander’s ragtime band - big brass, very upbeat olds hook swing, almost reminds me of fallout new vegas music -just for a thrill - slow paced, piano jazz tune

Ray Charles is great but not a fan of his earlier work. Just too dated with the Big Band sound. Favorite song: Let The Good Times Roll

Nice background music for a dinner party. Lots of brass and big band vibes. I prefer Ray’s blues-infused music.

For an album with "genius" in the title, The Genius of Ray Charles is surprisingly uneven. Split into two distinct halves, the first side is an energetic big-band swing session with Charles backed by a powerhouse brass section, and the second half shifts into lush, string-laden ballads. The big-band tracks, like Let the Good Times Roll and Two Years of Torture, have a great sense of energy, with Charles' vocals cutting through the bold, punchy arrangements. The band swings hard, and you can feel the joy in every note. But once the album moves into its orchestral side, things slow down considerably, with the dramatic string sections sometimes overpowering Charles’ natural grit and soul. There’s no denying Charles' vocal brilliance, but the album never quite finds a consistent groove. The transition from the lively, swaggering first half to the more polished, sentimental second half makes for a bit of a jarring experience. While both styles showcase different sides of his artistry, they don’t necessarily complement each other in a way that makes for a truly cohesive album. It's an enjoyable listen with standout moments, but compared to his best work, The Genius of Ray Charles feels more like a solid showcase of his versatility rather than an essential masterpiece. 3/5.

Genius? Hey. I’ll be the judge of that. Why, you may ask? Because I’m highly judgemental and type like a Reddit moderator. That’s pretty much good enough for these days. This song was in Mafia 2. Man I’m a cultural savant. This thing runs like a freight train. Hell yeah. Jazz breaks, excellent singing, bombastic (in a good way) big band. “I got 50 cents more than I'm gonna keep” is a god damn “bar” as the kids say. Back down to earth. A little Frank Sinatra-y. Very of the time. Not my favourite. The best band in the land?? Man they must be hyped. Oh wait it’s a different band. Not his band. Anyway. This one is ok. The mix is destroying my eardrums a little but we stride on. Two years of Torture. Pretty decent. Good even. More smooth. A little too smooth. Still loving the jazz interludes. The quiet moments in this one are nice. Deed I Do is real good. Blues, jazz, quality vocals. Yes. This is what I want. Excellent blues, mixed with jazz piano. Soulful music with some complexity thrown in. Just for a Thrill is pretty great. You won’t let me go. If this album was bad I could have a field day there. What is a field day? Be right back. Apparently anything that happens in a field after 1800. So like a big fun dance OR some sort of weird ritual. Whatever you want. This was fine. Bad. Not a good song. Feels lazy. Next please. I guess my review got lazy too. You get what you pay for Mr. Charles. Do NOT let the sun catch you crying (Not clickbait) (Scary). Floated by. Yes Ray, you’re blue. Somebody answer the man, it’s been 65 years. Probably because he forgot to put a question mark. He asks “Was I gay?” Huh? Do we have a LGBTQ2S+ Queen on our hands? I love it. Call him Slay Charles. One more track. Very solid. Excellent vocal outro. As can sometimes happen, the beginning of an album is so exciting and when the surprise wears off, it stays where it is. The big band became more obnoxious as I continued through this thing. I know Ray was blind, and if the enhanced ability of other senses thing is true, those horn blasts must’ve blown his ears to hell. Makes me question the musical voracity of his Wrestlemania appearance. Nah. That thing was airtight. This album was good. Not quite wrestlemania 17, but maybe like Wrestlemania 1. 3-3.5 HIGHLIGHTS: Let the Good Times Roll, Deed I Do, Just for a Thrill

Didn’t do much for me, honestly. Ray sounded good and the band sounded good, just seemed like pretty generic 50’s big band stuff to me.

2.5 I think there are better Ray Charles offerings out there (my favorite is Soul Brothers/Soul Meeting with Milt Jackson)

The definition of genius has changed over time, as has my taste in music. But if the old-times are your vibe, it’s hard to go wrong with Ray Charles. And yet this record is hardly the best representation of Ray. The big band arrangements push him into the role of a swinging singer rather than the central star—a music direction choice compounded by poor recording and a less than great mix that doesn’t work for me. Furthermore, the album’s shifting moods between sides make it less of a full-session listen and more of a "pick a side" record. Personally, I prefer side two for "re-centering" Ray.

It has a great sound, but a bit dated. Big horns, big drums, smoky lounges. Not sure when I'd listen to it again.

Fuck Ray Charles

The Big Band sound does not mess around! Let the Good Times Roll is such a slapping intro to this album from that first powerful blast of brass. The ballads work well, too; Ray's voice has such character that it is never boring or plaintive. This is a great album, maybe has a bit less character than some of his more successful offerings but is honestly a great listen.

See the thing is Ray has been labeled a genuis since inception and I don't think anyone can disagree. Beautiful arrangements, melodies seeped in dark blue meloncholy, but with enough hope to keep the audience entertained. Another album that makes me nostalgic for a time I've never lived in.

Great album, when I came back around to the beginning I just let it keep playing thru a second and into a third time. Awesome voice, great backing band/strings

Who am I to argue with an album title.

#0032: Swinging Ray of Love This album made me believe in love again. I love music from the 50s for this reason. The arrangements, the swing-pop jazz, the vocals, and of course Ray Charles on the piano. This album immediately transports me to my favourite black and white films where love and romance were at its peak. Just makes me want to wear a beautiful sundress and dance in the rain. Or slow dance with a loved one late night at home with ambient lighting. As many already mentioned, the album has two sides. Side A has more orchestration with swing/jazz arrangements, while Side B is more somber and slow and intimate. And I enjoyed this flow. Usually lyrics tend to go right over my head, but perhaps it’s the way things were sung in the 1950s with that slight transatlantic accent, the enunciation, makes it easy to follow along, and all the lyrics just touch my heart in a romantic warm loving way. It’s gentle, sweet and beautiful. I really enjoyed the album musically and lyrically. Instantly, this album has become a classic for me that I want to keep revisiting. It’s short and sweet, easy listening. Perfect for a cafe, or just a romantic evening when it rains outside. It’s beautiful. Standout Tracks: “It Had To Be You”, “Alexander’s Ragtime Band”, “Two Years of Torture”, “Just For A Thrill”, “You Won’t Let Me Go”, and “Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Cryin’”.

Does exactly what it says in the box - it's Ray Charles, he's a genius, here it is.

I only knew of Ray Charles from his later career, had no idea about this "big band" era. Very nice! Showcases his incredible vocal range and style.

This album lives up to its title! The Genius of Ray Charles is a fantastic listen from start to finish. It jumps out at you right away with bold arrangements and Ray’s unmistakable voice, pulling you in with every track. The fusion of jazz, soul, and big band energy is electric, and it feels like you're hearing a master at the peak of his creative power. Honestly, this is an all-time great jazz album, and a perfect example of why Ray Charles is such a towering figure in music history.

Espectacular. Me había salido en esta lista un álbum doble de Charles que me había parecido un tanto aburrido, pero nada que ver con The Genius of Ray Charles. Una maravilla que exprime lágrimas de mi dolido corazón.

i told my self i would be sparing with my fives, but this is already my second one.. i absolutely love this album, i think its more than deserving of it tho-- banger after banger after banger!!! i love playing this era of jazz/ big band stuff but ive never quite gone out of my way to listen to it/ never knew where to look for it. the answer is here!! and im so glad i found it. i genuinely believe that this is a perfect album. every single note! chord! tone! are so thoughtfully written/ played and i find it so incredible and genius how it slowly moves from big band ballady pieces to mellow orchestral stuff. ive been recording all the songs i think are real 10/10s to save them for some kind of big function one day. wedding? who knows. i can't even pick a top 3 this time, they're all insane. 🥉come rain or shine, when your love has gone🥈'deed i do🥇let the good times roll

What a talent, couldn't keep my foot still the entire ride.

Some real nice music to listen to here. What else would you expect from one of the greats.

Once you get over the fact that every track sounds like the theme from "Police Squad," this is pretty amazing. His voice is absurd. "Let The Good Times Roll" could well make it to my funeral playlist.

very easy listening, good to get back into it

Can't put Ray Charles in one genre - he does jazz, gospel, rock, blues and blends them so well. Favorite track: Don't let the sun catch you crying other picks: it had to be you, deed i do, am i blue, come rain or come shine

Genius, indeed.

ray charles

Beautiful

All classics on this album. Songs by André and Dory Previn, Irving Berlin, Fred Rose, Johnny Mercer, and others. 12 songs - 6 with a string orchestra, 6 with a tight jazz band. A very good album. A very calming album. This version of DON'T LET THE SUN CATCH YOU CRYING far outshines any other. Excellent excellent production by Jerry Wexler and Nesuhi Ertegun. I'm gonna give this 5 stars. I don't know when I'll listen to it again, but it is just so good. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ________________________________ 🎧 LPs reviewed: 76 🎧 LPs left to review: 925 🎧 LPs I found great/relevant enough to be mandatory listens (5): 18 🎧 LPs I *might* include in my own list (4): 19 🎧 LPs I will certainly *not* include in mine (1-2): 20

Really phenomenal example of the genre and the artist.

Well that's just great, now my ears are pregnant.

INCREIBLE

So beautiful. This album seems to show off his skills as an arranger rather than a piano savant but it's just so beautiful

"The Genius of Ray Charles" is an album that left me speechless, such is the depth and beauty of its compositions. Ray Charles' talent is a true breath of fresh air for turbulent hearts, providing a musical experience that transcends time and emotion. Each track resonates with a sincerity and passion that touches the soul, reaffirming his status as one of music's greatest geniuses.

4.5

Great cooking music

Mmm... Ray Charles

Ray Charles is great. I even don't have to justify it.

heard many times, unique

What an icon, beautiful voice, backup vocals and band

blind dudes make the best music confirmed. gotta listen again!

You can make a pretty strong argument that, save the pure jazz albums, all of the music on this list owed something to Ray Charles. And side 1 of this album proves he could stand toe-to-toe with the jazz greats too. I prefer his birth of R&B recordings with Atlantic. But these two sides, like almost everything he did, are fantastic.

You can't go wrong with uncle Ray! Thank you for this reminder.

Like everyone I have heard of Ray, his important in the history of popular music and have heard greatest hits. But a proper album put out by the man, with his arrangements! This is as the title says. He takes any type of song and makes it Ray Charles. Don’t give me any shit about the 50s style and production, this is timeless. This is such a great listen today in 2025. My 1st 5 star of something I hadn’t heard before. This is just a joy.

As the album says, he is a genius. Not my normal or favorite type of music but still a good listen.

Coming up: The TRUE genius of Ray Charles; The Genius (Ray Charles); Ray Charles, the greatest; The amazing genius Ray Charles; one-in-a-lifetime genius Ray Charles; the super duper iper giga genius Ray Charles; and more…

Awesome big band blues sound. Ray Charles has an incredible voice. Some of the most powerful love songs I've heard. I ended up adding 3 songs from this album to my main playlist.

An absolute joy to listen to. This is the kind of music where you know the people who made it just love music and have fun making it. It’s called SOUL for a REASON Mate. My girlfriend insists that he wasn’t actually blind and was just pretending as a bit but it got out of hand and he had to keep it up.

This was great, so classic. I loved it and listened to it twice. Ray Charles is such a great performer and it was captured flawlessly on this album. Five stars, easily.

Ray Charles is my kind of music. Bangers like Let the Good Times Roll and It Had to Be You. Some hidden gems too. Some reviewers commented that they didn't like the big band sound...I love that stuff. Not sure what they're talking about...Ray's voice is clear, strong, and not drowned out.

come rain or come shine is probably one of the best songs I've heard through this challenge. the man meant genius. I love it

Absolute classic.

genius.

Go ahead. Give Ray Charles less than a five. I fucking DARE you!! 5

Las Big Banda y sus poderosos y variados metales le dan la fuera a Ray a hacer jazz, blues de una forma mágica

Music that can’t be denied no matter how hard you try. The classics will always be classic!!

the great Ray Charles, can't never go wrong.

Great listening yesterday. One of my favorite albums I've never heard from this app. It was a time machine, but still relevant and a classic style. Great music for a dinner party in your mid century modern home.

I wasn’t expecting the album to open with a song like Let the Good Times Roll. Ray really attacks those vocals, delivering a rip-roaring opener that immediately sets the tone. The first half of this album is dedicated to Ray performing Big Band classics, and it’s absolutely wonderful. The songs are so joyous and expertly played, filled with energy and life. There’s such a lovely quality to Ray’s voice—it’s hard to describe, but it’s almost like a singing saxophone, warm and full of expression. The second half swaps out the horn section for a string orchestra, creating a much more subdued atmosphere. It’s unusual to see an album with two such distinct halves, and it ends up feeling almost like two separate EPs. That said, the quality of the music never falters. The orchestration is rich and lush, washing over you like a warm blanket. Standout Track: Let the Good Times Roll / Come Rain or Come Shine (it only feels right to pick one from each side) Score: 5/5

It's just great. The clarity of his voice carries across the decades and feels so intimate.

Ray is getting 5s. Hope he shows up again.

Fantastic; absolutely beautiful.

So fun to hear a big band Ray album!

let the good times roll

wow

Probably the best example of the style, so it gets a 5

It's all so similarly beautiful. His voice is just fantastic.

The most accurately named album ever - this is genius

Makes cool seem effortless

Beautiful