The Genius Of Ray Charles

Great voice, this guy oozes soul. What a legend

What a genius this man was. Another great 50's album this week, always glad to see Mr Charles in the line up. Saved a few from here including my own Rag Time Band?? Felt like the same band that Sinatra used too in terms of the sounds but Ray is such a gem. This was a great album to end the week on. Gotta go with a 5 for this puppy.

For some reason I was shocked to see that Ray Charles put out an album in the '50s, I thought he was a much more recent talent. Well considering his last album was put out in 2004 I guess I'm not that crazy, this guy was just prolific! We all know and love Ray Charles, but hearing him here felt new because I just didn't know he had the sauce some 70 years ago. Really love his voice, the emotion with which he sings. Of course, his piano ability is renowned, but damn, just the way he sings is really special. The phrasing of things on "Let the Good Times Roll" really stuck with me, just meandering around and cramming syllables anywhere he pleases in that chorus. Great stuff. Favorite tracks: Let the Good Times Roll, Just for a Thrill, You Won't Let Me Go, Come Rain or Shine. Album art: Definitely an oldie, old style framing and font, but it works. Ray obviously looks younger in this picture than I remember (seared in my mind is that cover from the 2004 album), but considering this picture is 45 years prior to the other, the guy aged tremendously well. 4/5

I have always had mixed feelings about *Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music*, Ray Charles' supposed masterpiece released a few years after this one. It does have great tunes, and I fully respect its "agenda" that saw Charles covering songs from "white" repertoires so as to break unfair race barriers in America. Yet I feel like the charms of this type of this subsequent lush record can't beat the ones of his more grassroots eponymous 1957 debut, which will always sound more "authentic" to me. Plus, neither "Modern Sounds..." nor "The Genius of Ray Charles" have the many timeless hits Charles performed over the first years of his career (mostly for single issues or less relevant albums--hits such as "Hit The Road Jack", "What I'd Say", " Georgia On My Mind" and so on...). So it's a little hard for me to see such albums as "essential" either, Apart from the race-barrier-breaking agenda, "The Genius Of Ray Charles" is indeed very similar to "Modern Sounds...". So much that I wonder why this one is not considered as Ray's magnum opus by all the "critics", given that it was released before it. The only real difference is that this time the brass band and syrupy strings orchestrations are neatly sorted out between side 1 and 2, contrary to the way they mingles in *Modern Sounds*'s tracklisting. Side 1 starts with a bang, with "Let The Good Times Roll", "It Had To be You" and "Alexander's Ragtime Band". But then it's more of the same and my patience wears thin very quickly. Once the slow ballads supported by strings on side 2 come up, the transition feels a little jarring, and for a couple of tunes, the whole thing sounds quite derivative as well. Fortunately, the best ballads start with "Tell Me You'll Wait For Me" in the middle of the second side (what an incredible intro for this one, thanks to that mysterious string section), and that last bunch of tracks right after it saves the day (especially "Am I Blue"). I'm still having mixed feelings, however, at least regarding the status of this album as a so-called "essential" one. This LP offers good music overall, but it never gets me excited enough for me to buy the whole thing (just like I can't get excited enough for *Modern Sounds...* either). Bought a Ray Charles "best of" anthology, however (which incidentally habors both his timeless hits AND the key tracks from those two specific albums highlighted by the "critics" here). And I also purchased that great eponymous debut. All of this is more than enough for my needs, to be honest. 3/5 for the purposes of this list, which translates to a 8/10 grade for more general purposes (5+3). Number of albums left to review: 508 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 233 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 114 (including this one) Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 143

I didn't think I'd like it, but I did. His flow is amazing. Favorite song: Alexander's ragtime band.

Ray is just oodles of fun, this was a good time here.

Incredible performance by Ray, no shiners for me but a solid R&B/Piano Pop album nonetheless.

Very enjoyable.

4.5

Un poco rollete

Not bad. Not a 4, but definitely a solid 3.

Was okay but after a while it all sounded like the same

Ray Charles is a friggin beaut. Super talented dude with a great band - this kind of music always makes me feel like I'm in another decade which I love.

A legend. Was cool to listen and let the good times roll. All I could think about during this record was that it had such Big Brass Energy

Great music but I get a bit sick of it and also Ray Charles was a shit dude

I love big band music, what a great album. If I had one wish for contemporary artists, it would be that they experiment more with horn lines because it adds so much power to a song.

Everything you'd expect from a Ray Charles record. It's not a very modestly titled record, but he WAS a genius, so what can you say??

A solid album with some bangers

Understand why it can be seen as a timeless classic by jazz fans, but it's not for me.

p41. 1959. 3 stars. A collection of mostly redundant covers, saved only by THAT voice and the arrangements. Not his best work - see 'What'd I Say' for that.

Ray's got a great voice for getting your feet and heart moving, but this album doesn't quite wow throughout

I like it a lot!

Interesting to hear the blending old Big Band with R&B stuff. Decent throughout, sadly marred by the likes of Jools Holland pushing his honky tonk stylings on everyone.

What I expected from Ray Charles

Good ol Ray

Ray's voice is the clear highlight here, soulful, bright, and full of character. The slower numbers really highlight this best, like You Won't Let Me Go (which was a highlight of mine).

Yeah this is nice

A sombre album from Ray Charles with standouts in Let The Good Times Roll and It Had To Be You.

Genius indeed! Magnificent voice and feel good music

Top tier jazz album.

Smooth and soulful. Ray Charles at his best in my opinion.

Can’t really remember… not as much piano as I thought there would be

Light 6

Makes for nice background music, but not many noteworthy tracks on this one

Such a classic

Loved the sound of this album though critics make some good points

This album has very simple songwriting, which may be a negative for some, but has undeniably allowed this to be a timeless classic.

If this album were just big band or just ballad, I might give it 3 stars, but I enjoy having both options. Sort of trivial, but enough to make me give me 4 stars. I believe this is as good as Ray's studio albums get.

Just a beautiful record. Gorgeous arrangements and just a delight to listen to. Ray is awesome.

wow, the “genius” of ray charles? some ego huh 😒 nah but fr these are some excellently crafted songs. i especially loved the abrasion. there’s such an incredible energy to this album too. shoutout to the blind legend 😎

Pretty good, but also older stuff. This might grow on me, I could see why it would've been popular in its day. Standout Tracks - Alexander's Ragtime Band - Tell Me You'll Wait For Me

His voice was unmistakable. Though I find the arrangements on the record overly bombastic, his voice makes it. I'd love to hear these pared down a bit. We're all here to hear Ray. don't make us wait.

Ray's voice sounds great.

Kinda boring but probably a great album if you're a big Ray Charles head

Lovely love songs.

Jotain neroutta tuolla taustalla on, kun on niin smoothia. Mutta taustaksi menee

Pari hyvää tulkintaa, jotka voisin jatkossakin soittaa. Tuotanto on kuitenkin korvat tappavan hirvittävä (yleensä PIDÄN 50-lukulaisesta kämäisyydestä), ja valtaosa biisivalinnoista oman aikansa tusinamateriaalia.

Rating: 6/10

Love the big band sound and it's made even better by the sounds of a great artist, I definitely enjoyed the listen and would listen again.

Enjoyable, but not my favourite of his albums

Wow, I expected to enjoy it, but it’s amazing. Horns, piano, his voice, all sound fresh as fuck.

A great selection of classical songs. Ray's delivery is one of the best. His voice carriers so much - it's not just an instrument but half an orchestra. I rate it four stars because while it is great it's just another selection of standards.

He’s got a beautiful voice and this was enjoyable enough, but a lot lower energy than I was expecting. Didn’t catch me like I was hoping it would.

Very nice, smooooooth album.

A soulful album. I enjoyed the accompanying orchestra that was on most tracks. Had highlights and lowlights. Good for a 40 minute mixup in genre.

Usually not too big of a fan of 'big band' but c'mon, it's Ray Charles. Such a good album to get on a beautiful Sunday in May. The final two track are such an incredible ending to the album. 4/5

Good, but too many slow ones. I prefer him when he's more upbeat.

Not without charm but I didn't vibe with it enough to rate it any higher

It's ray Charles. All Ray Charles.

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.

I remember seeing the Ray movie a few years back and thinking it was pretty magnificent what he was able to do 60+ years ago. Big saxy sound, played with feeling

Almost perfect for what it sets out to do. It's vocal jazz, it's soul, it's big band, it's power ballads, it's so much wrapped into one, and each song executes on its intentions very well. The first half is big band, the second half is more somber, string and backing vocal led ballads. Not often do you see a double album that doesn't take 4 years to get through, but Charles does it. Let the Good Times Roll and Just For a Thrill, the two sides' openers, are the definite highlights. The only downside are that at points the production can get a little bit too full of itself, and it can feel like I'm listening to technically good music, but not necessarily what would be best for the song. But that's a minor nitpick. Definitely recommend for anyone looking for old(er) music.

Nice album, easy listening

Not bad, but not my style

nice

This feels like it could be two separate albums. Both sides have their merits but I found myself enjoying the somber side more, if only for the more exposed piano. Sucks that the recording is so hot - I found the distortion and overmodulation distracting. Hard to believe that this was an aesthetic choice, but apparently it's on all of Charles' recordings from this era. 3

Awesome album. Ray Charles has such a great sound.

very enjoyable music and voice

I like my Ray Charles to be a little more...rockin'

Undoubtedly a great voice and nice songs, but not really what I’m looking for.

Really quite nice. No wonder he's so famous.

The first half is big band jazz at it's best !!

thoroughly enjoyable listen. my favorite songs were the more classic big band jazz numbers but every song was pretty good

Nice big band jazz arrangements, but I have to admit: none of the songs here light my fire.

Ray Charles is a genius and a stylist. The big band arrangements and the back up singers could have been toned down. Imagine "Come rain or Come Shine" without the Lawrence Welk singers? I would be so much better.

Very good. Ray Charles is one of the greatest. All of these songs are so smooth and perfect for a nice chill listen.

12.04.23. Добротная старая музыка. Есть как динамичные, так и более спокойные композиции. Очень классно, что слепой человек смог стать популярным певцом и великим пианистом.

A big band jazz front, with soulful ballads to end. This album is good. The piano and singing are good obviously, its Ray Charles. But idk, something was just off. It was kinda boring? The couple fast paced songs are great and I always love big sweeping orchestras. But just kinda felt like two different albums. I feel like there has to be better Ray Charles albums. 3/5 Favorites: Let the Good Times Roll, Come Rain or Come Shine, Just for a Thrill Least Favorites: Tell Me You'll Wait for Me,

It feels like the recording is limiting the dynamics of his voice. Tons of range and emotion. Definitely hits its stride in the second half.

Good. He makes even the sad songs kind of upbeat.

It was the instrumental arrangements that kept this consistently engaging for me. The horns throughout the first half sound absolutely wild and in tone alter between sounding like a celebration of love and a warning of impending heartbreak. Sometimes they sound like both at once. This gives the album a more nuanced feel than you would imagine from reading the lyrics on paper. In the second half as the energy calms down, the instrumentals stay interesting and lush instead of going for a stripped back and I’m glad. This record feels like a conversation with call and response between Ray and his band. Ray is straightforward and heartfelt, but for me the real depth comes from interpreting the tone of the instrumental passages. 👍: Deed I Do, You Won’t Let Me Go

Didn’t love the first half at first cuz I usually like his RnB stuff more than the big band sound and the horns were crazy in headphones but listened to it again in the car and it grew on me. Overall was a great album and just about anything by ray charles is classic. Honestly could go either way on a 4 or 5 and was my favorite of albums I haven’t listened to all the way through yet. 👍: you won’t let me go, just for a thrill, deed i do

Ray Charles just oozes fuckin SWAG. Two years of torture is sick Bro really interpolated pop goes the weasel on ‘You wont let me go’ that’s a coke head move for sure Pretty much was into every track on this, could be a little slow or repetitive at times but RC is one of the goats 👍:you wont let me go/ two years of torture 👎:Alexander’s rag time band

There’s no denying Ray Charles has a timeless voice and makes some beautiful music. There’s some great songs on here. A lot of it sounds pretty dated (understandably so) and I can only listen to so much of that before it gets stale. Most of it, while good sounding music, was just un memorable to me. Don’t want to take anything away from Ray Charles though, he has some bangers and a pretty crazy life. Bright spot: Don’t let the sun

Bold name for an album... Whatever I consider musical genius, this isn't it. Still, it was pleasant to listen to.

Top album

+3 voor Ray, +1 voor saxofonist, -1 voor big bands

Hm... Ik houuuuu van Ray Charles, maar op dit album stonden geen van de nummers die ik zo nice vond. Beetje een tegenvaller, maar wel gewoon chill.

👍🏻

Iets te big band en jaren 50 voor mij

Chill om te luisteren maar had er niet per se veel mee! Zou het niet snel nog een keer aanzetten

Lekker album, ging soms wel wat heen en weer

Kanske inte min bästa Ray, men det är ju ändå Ray.

Ray Charles was a brilliant musician, and his talent is evident here.

5 stars all day long.

Classic

The Genius of Ray Charles. This album is like a shot of musical adrenaline straight to the heart. It's got everything: soul, blues, jazz, and enough energy to power a small city. From the opening notes of "Let the Good Times Roll" to the soulful rendition of "Georgia on My Mind," Ray Charles' talent is undeniable. He's like the lovechild of a piano and a saxophone, and he's got the voice of an angel with a side hustle as a devilish bluesman. Listening to this album is like taking a time machine back to the golden age of music, when people knew how to really belt it out and make you feel something. If you don't find yourself tapping your toes and swaying to the beat of "Hallelujah I Love Her So," then you must be legally dead. In conclusion, The Genius of Ray Charles is not just an album, it's a musical experience that will transport you to another world. Ray's voice is like a warm blanket on a cold night, and his piano playing is like a warm hug from your favorite aunt. From the upbeat "What'd I Say" to the heartbreaking "Drown in My Own Tears," this album has something for everyone. So, whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer to Ray's music, do yourself a favor and give this album a listen. Your ears (and your soul) will thank you.

This is a record where the hallmarks of Ray Charles - the funky piano-playing and up-tempo gospel/swing/R&B/soul - is completely lacking. The result is a snooze fest through and through. Why is this one of only two Ray Charles albums on the list?

Ray Charles must have recorded this through a series of tin cans and managed to sleep his way through it as well. The true genius of Ray Charles was him somehow getting this album included on the list.

Time spent listening to Ray is always time well spent.

I love his music & his style of piano playing. I'm glad this came up on a day I was feeling blah...it lifted my spirits & ended up listening to hours of him, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke & the like. Yes, Ray Charles is a genius.

Great listen! Ray Charles is definitely a genius.

even at the tender age of 29, ray charles’s voice was already so soulful and rich. and what a voice it was. this one is a good listen. highlights: “let the good times roll” “ ‘deed i do” “don’t let the sun catch you cryin’ “

Not great and not bad, classic for a reason!

Great voice, but the band in the background is distractingly loud. The second half is better. Mostly piano based ballads which let his sound shine well. Decent overall I guess.

- Never listened to a Ray Charles album before - Pleasantly surprised, didn't think I would enjoy this but it was really good - Not something I ever would've listened to on my own - Very bold to call yourself a genius in your album title but I guess he can pull it off - Fav songs: Let the Good Times Roll, Alexander's Ragtime Band, When Your Lover Has Gone

Thoroughly enjoyable listen, upbeat and jazzy

It was honestly surprisingly good and I did enjoy this a lot

This is a good album of standards arranged and played by Ray Charles but I'd much rather listen to an album of original Ray Charles songs. Standout Tracks: Let the Good Times Roll, You Won't Let Me Go, Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin'

Great big band record. Can’t believe it was recorded in 1959. Ray Charles has a great voice and the band plays super well together.

Oh no.. Ray Charles, an RnB genious for sure, but not on this album, where he is loosing it. Very boring and disappointing

Fun and nice

Very enjoyable fun music to listen to. If there is a music I'd describe America with, it'd be Ray Charles. My only complaint is that after around 7-8 songs it's getting a bit repetitive to me because of the style of music. 4.5/5 but I'm giving it a 4. (p.s. my twitter account @AlbumsChallenge got hacked today and I won't be able to get back my account according to twitter support. I am sad to see my account go, I loved to write my little reviews there. I didn't even reach 50 albums yet...).

You can hear the quality but it is totally not my style.

O disco entrega precisamente o quê o título promete, a genialidade dele.

Fiiniä musiikkia. Casino Jazzia

En osu oikeaan kohdeyleisöön. Taustamusaa.

Lupsakkaa meininkiä, I like

Genius is not an overstatement here.

Great singer. Strings produced this way always sound schmaltzy to me. No hate but the music passes through without any real resonance.

All bangers. Ray and the band sound amazing

Favorites: -Golden Years -Word On A Wing -Wild Is The Wind

Beautiful big band kind of sound. Perfect for my slow rainy morning.

Nice

não é meu estilo - basicamente é o tipo de música que vem na minha cabeça quando penso em um lobby/bar de hotel rico, conseguiria apreciar a música em um ambiente desses mas definitivamente não é algo que eu escutaria no meu dia a dia - Música com um feeling nostálgico/emocional, acho que é algo bom para ter como background de um evento/gathering mais chique ou escutar uma que outra música dentro de uma playlist mais diversificada.

It's fine background music. Sorry.

This was a very pleasant listen. At no point did I feel as if I wanted to skip a track - Ray Charles' voice is lovely, and the music itself is beautiful. That being said, I can't see myself listening to the whole album again. It's just not the sort of thing I normally listen to, and while I found it pleasant, the album as a whole didn't blow me away. I did particularly enjoy "When Your Lover Has Gone," and "Tell Me You'll Wait For Me," and saved them both on a playlist of relaxing/rainy day music.

its nice, a bit one-note

Great listen. Made me daydream.

I really like the big band songs in the first half of the album. Still feels fresh

Bluest, jazzy, it's got piano, strings, and horns, and most importantly Ray Charles. Great singer, this album shows the genius of Ray Charles.

A lovely album to ease into the day. With his seventh album, the dulcet tones of Ray Charles never disappoints. A big-band sound upfront on the album, coupled with a much more subdued ballad/string second half, shows that Charles can do it all, although personally I enjoyed the big band sound more. Best: Let The Good Times Roll Worst: Am I Blue

This was great, so smooth and I felt so relaxed

A very appropriate title.

Le génie de Ray Charles réside principalement dans sa capacité à se rouler en boule pour écraser ou aplatir ses adversaires. Il peut également tourner sur lui-même comme une vrille pour écraser la terre afin d'y plonger.

C'est nul à souhait, Ray Charles ferait mieux de se consacrer à son vrai génie, à savoir se mettre en boule et rouler comme une toupie.

first listen amazing big band

Chillig, aber bissl altfatrisch. Gute Musik, aber not for every day

Belta this

Not much of a jazz fan so I guess I can’t appreciate the genius of Ray Charles

Not my thing

What a voice and what interpretations of some classic songs.

A compilation of rainy weather, slow jazz, not my type of jam instrumentally.

Genius was the right word. Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this. Must remember to play this loud whilst pottering round the flat one Sunday morning, especially if the sun is shining!

This is nice Saturday morning listening. I will be adding Ray Charles to the rotation.

I liked this album. I was surprised how many slow songs there were, I was expecting this album to be very high energy and high tempo, but I enjoyed the songs nonetheless. Favorite song: Let the Good Times Roll Worst song: It Had to Be You

Yeah, I love the Great American Songbook and I enjoy Ray Charles. This entry baffles me because it doesn't showcase his songwriting, singing or overtly his piano playing talent. His Country Western volumes are Ray Charles that NEEDS to be listened to. This album is an average output from Ray and as an example of the Great American Songbook, but as usual, the authors missed a great opportunity to really nail both entries. 3.5/5.

This is exactly what I expected. Nothing more, nothing less. Kind of disappointing, honestly.

The album title is slightly lacking in humility, but it's fairly listenable. I imagine if 50s jazz is your bag, this is a fine album, as it is I'm not a huge aficionado but it was, on the whole, tolerable

I didn't love this one unfortunately but not because it's bad, just because I do not really like this kind of crooner jazz. Some good songs here and there though. It's fine while It's on, but I won't come back to it. 6,8/10

The title is somewhat annoying and the heavy-handed arrangements get in the way here and there, but otherwise this is a pleasure to listen to. The masterly interpretations of the standards are the highlights – ”When Your Lover Has Gone” and “Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying” are the highlights. No doubting this man's ability to sing a song up to (and often beyond its value) and satisfy an audience with his considerable talent, and bringing such soul and joy into the bargain. Hard to believe only 20 when delivering this.

It's a bold album title, but the album is good enough that it doesn't feel too far off the mark. It's a solid album - no one track stands too far above any other, it's just a very good album all the way through. His voice sells anything. I'd buy a timeshare from that voice.

Njae, jag vet inte....

It's OK. It's a mood. More of a "time and place" kind of record.

What a voice! I've never listened to Ray Charles properly, and only know the hits really. The change in style on the second side was welcome I thought, by the halfway mark I was starting to find the big band songs a bit repetitive.

It’s very good.Nice change of pace.He has a beautiful voice.It kinda sounds like how I remember old Disney movies.

I don't listen to big band offerings generally, so this was a nice foray away from the norm. I did enjoy the quiet numbers a bit more than the swinging big ones though. Thanks Ray, that was a bit new.

Ray has an incredible voice, but this is more the crooner end of his spectrum. I prefer the bluesy rock 'n' roll Ray.

Solid soulful crooner album. Unique voice.

Not a genre that does a lot for me personally, and the first half sounds too obsolete to my ear. The second half is a more somber affair, and it’s definitely a nice soundtrack to a nighttime stroll around the city. Nevertheless, I’m lead to believe that this is pretty mediocre Ray Charles by any measure, and it shows.

I'll always be such a sucker for jazz. Great album from a legend. Favorite track: Come Rain or Come Shine

Ágætis rólegheita plata

Like a big cozy blanket you can wrap yourself in.

I can see the appeal for the time and the audience studios were trying to sell to. However, it was over produced with the classic big band approach. It did not incorporate the gospel roots he set in his earlier albums. Album was OK, but not the authentic Ray Charles I prefer.

Apart from the title of the album, which is a little bit self-aggrandising I really like this. I loved the big band arrangements and the production. I suppose Ray Charles’s voice got a little lost under the production, but the songs were all really easy to swing along to. It helps that they are all very well-known songs, not only for that time but they have endured and permeated the collective consciousness. I preferred the first half of the album, what was originally the first side. The ballads lost me a little bit. But it was a very pleasant ride.

This is a great nostalgic album. I love the big band sound at the beginning and smooth jazz feel with full orchestra during the end. I love Ray's voice and piano playing. This is not a record I'd play at a party or on a road trip but I love the compositions and full instrumentation. I'm amazed at the great sound and production knowing what they had to work with in the studio back in the day. This essentially a live performance and I love it.

I don’t like his voice.

This is great. Interesting to listen to a black performer recording in 1959 on MLK Day. It had me thinking about what life might have been like in 1959's America and how this music fit into the social fabric of the day. Of course, the fact that this is pre-'60s has its stamp all over the album in terms of the recording quality and the arrangements (I cheated and read a little and learned that Quincy Jones arranged the first six tunes on the album). Those details did ultimately serve to detract just a little from my enjoyment. I found the arrangements were a little too predictable after a couple of songs — maybe the song order didn't help by stacking the horn section numbers and the ballads with the backing singers. I also thought the sax player was a little too wound up. Charles sounds great, vocally. He's dynamic, but not overly so. Another limitation — I'll also chalk this up to the times — is the lyrical content. Lots of lamenting a lost lover, or an impending loss of a lover, or a long-lost love. But yeah, good stuff. I did have to ask myself, if anyone put out an album today titled "The Genius of ... " would I think he's being a pompous asshole? (A: Yes.) I didn't think that of Mr. Charles, though the title did make me chuckle. Sets some seriously high expectations.

I enjoyed this, though the whole time I kind of felt like it wasn't the best genre for Ray Charles' talent. I feel like his sound and vocal approach works best with a more stripped-down R&B thing (ala "What'd I Say"). Also, even though Quincy Jones did many of the arrangements, I don't think they were quite as thrilling or inventive as what Nelson Riddle was doing at the time. (Maybe QJ hadn't come into his own, yet.) But "Don't Let the Sun Catch you Crying" was good, as was "When Your Lover Has Gone." I think it might help that I don't already know other (better) versions of those songs by other singers. BTW, do yourself a favor and check out the Les Paul and Mary Ford version of "Deed I Do." Perfection.

Nostalgia for me having grown up listening to Glenn Miller. What a trip to remember how influential Charles was!

The Genius Of Ray Charles is a gorgeous album, smooth and soulful and arrogant and charming and swaggering and raucous and everything else. Absolutely golden stuff, Deed I Do was the best of a high quality bunch, 5/5 stuff.

A perfectly pleasant listen, but feels very dated - big band swing/blues stuff. Nicely arranged, all very smooth, but lacks a bit of grit  for my tastes. 3/5.

Muito bom. Alguns backing vocals lembram musical dos anos 50

Terrible recording quality really gets in the way of what I a, sure is a great record

It's not necessarily a genre I would choose for myself but it's really a beautiful album. Some major standards here, and all beautifully composed.

Big band jazz. Nice... ...for 1 song.

Good songs, great performances, solid arrangements but I find the big band sound takes away a lot from what could be an amazing small band performance. The choral arrangements come across as hokey to me, and that’s not even specific to Ray, as it is all over pop music at this time that has a “big sound”. This is an aural meal that is too rich to be really enjoyed as nothing is left to ask for, but somehow I am still left mostly unsatisfied.

This is a pretty glorious album. I’m most fond of the slower, more orchestral B-side, even though the big band A-side is also quite nice.

Beautiful little songs and a soothing listen, but they tend to blend into one another making the album lack truly memorable moments.

Enjoyable music for the background, standard "non-pop-music'" three star rating from me

Ekki alveg minn stíll af djassi en auðvitað góður

The good times are rolling here!

Fantastic, incredible voice

Very good, but maybe falls just short of "genius". Not by much though!

Classique son de Ray Charles

Not bad. Let the good times roll

I enjoyed the minimal jazz approach, solid song structure and writing. Much more enjoyable than I was anticipating.

cool

Fantastic Pop, Rock and Soul album rolled into one, effortlessly cool.

3.25

High Quality Big Band! What's not to love! It had to be you in the only song I recognize, and not this version, but it's great!

Sehr gutes Ding!

under-whelming-ish

Too sentimental to my taste. Seams like a one track minded recording. Did not age well

Great listen.

Great

Charles plays crooning ballads and standby's on this album highlighting his more soulful side. While it may be lacking some of his more quick-paced songs, it is still a solid representation of him as an artist that created a catalog of love songs that would stay in the collective consciousness for years.

Brilliant

Love the big band sound. Never listened to much of Ray but I find it fun to listen to

favorite tracks - two years of torture, deed i do, dont let the sun catch you cryin, come rain or come shine least favorite tracks - n/a Not really a fan of the big band style, but fell in love with Charles's talent and personality.

Best album so far. An incredible example of ray Charles unique blend of r&b, soul, and the big band pop/swing of the day. Even without carrying some of his biggest hits this album is great!

Semmoista kun kuvittelisi Ray Charlesin olevan. Tsilliä

Liked it. Some ballads were a little boring and nothing blew me away

i feel sexy listening to this fav tracks: ‘it had to be you’ ‘two years of torture’ ‘deed i do’ AM I BLUE !!!

If you’re into theatrical big band or swing music with a lot of strings and snazzy horns (or you just like to fantasize about romance while listening to old records) then you’ll probably enjoy this. Sometimes the horns were too harsh and I wasn’t really into the music. It’s okay for what it is, but I can’t say I love it in any way.

Beautiful of course

I like Ray but I don't like the Big Band. His genius sure shines through the brash tinny horns. Shame really they ruin what could have been a gem purely because this is what respectable America wanted.

Fun stuff

Calling your album ‘The Genius of …’ is a big call but man it delivers. Such a fun sounding album. I’d really only heard some of the songs of best of albums etc. Never listened to any of his albums from start to finish. Not sure if I’d go back again though.

Fun, drags near the end. Best: Let The Good Times Roll (probably biased as its the first track lol)

pretty great but gets kinda samey through the middle sections. for some reason this sounds like Christmas! best songs: let the good times roll, come rain or come shine, don’t let the sun catch you crying

silky smooth wistful easy listening orchestral jazz for waxing nostalgic. surprised that Georgia wasn't on this record. 4.3/5

I’m not a big fan of big band arrangements.

Lovely, soulful renditions of jazz and pop standards. Not a bad song on here really, but Charles really shines on the ballads. There are better versions of many of these songs out there, but this is pretty excellent. I would expect no less from Ray Charles. Fave Songs: Just for a Thrill, You Won't Let Me Go, It Had to Be You, Come Rain or Come Shine, Alexander's Ragtime Band, Let the Good Times Roll, Am I Blue

blasty horns made many songs unbearable for me

What a voice! And some nice big band songs and ballads. Best song, Alexander's ragtime band

Ray is a genius! Love the record, Ray Charles is like his own subgenre and I'm never upset about indulging in it.

3.8/ The upbeat tracks were ok but I didn’t love the slower songs. His voice is incredible, but this album didn’t hit me like I wanted

I was taken aback by the Sinatra stylye big band arrangements. But wow this album is good. 4 stars

You know those dorks that write the reviews that only say, “Not my cup of tea . 1 Star” this is what I picture those dorks being super into, it’s not bad but, they’re good at what they’re doing but it’s just bland and boring to me. Ray’s voice is really smooth so I’ll be fair with my review but this is a yawner overall. 2.5 stars rounded up to 5

Ray Charles sings 20s, 30s & 40s standards in his own R&B Bluesy way. It is outstanding. Singles: ----------------------------------------------------- Let the Good Times Roll (#78) Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin' (US #95, #17 US R&B) Just for a Thrill (#16 US R&B) Come Rain or Come Shine (US #83) Standouts: Let the Good Times Roll, It Had to Be You, Alexander's Ragtime Band, When Your Lover Has Gone, Just For a Thrill, Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin', Am I Blue, Come Rain Come Shine. Rating: 4/5

One of the better swing albums I've heard. Ray Charles is the star, playing both rampant and romantic roles, and his piano pulls the strings to control the mood behind the power of the big band accompaniment. The recording's pretty harsh but gets better as the album progresses and calms down. I found the third quarter to be the weakest but his piano is best highlighted here. Favorites: It Had to Be You, Alexander's Ragtime Band, Come Rain or Shine

Not into this

What a voice! The musical arrangements are dated and formal, not really matching the excitement of the vocal. When he lets rio, the backing is still very prim and proper, but that is probably a product of the time. A rock and roll backing would sound way better than the big band sound - but he can really sing! Later work starts to get this treatment and is way better for it.

Just nice, first half was great but with horns that were too loud, second half was gorgeous though, not completely sure on my rating, but for now its a three. A decent record

Good songs but always have trouble thinking of anything before 1960 as a cohesive album

Classy and swaying but nothing really that stuck out to me.

This was very good. Charles managed to shout a refreshingly ace set of vocals, despite the lyrics giving away a heartbroken man. “When you’re alone, who cares for starlit skies?”.

Yeh

Not that interesting

loved

Classic Ray Charles. Always a good one.

wouldve been five but Ray charles is an awful person

A good set of songs, very well done. These aren't your usual Ray favorites.

Ray Charles broadens here and it’s only 1959 when he recorded this. So much music from so many places came through that man.

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I liked it, but it was a little repetitive with his style of song writing. Most were about a vague love interest. Loved the backing band though. 6.5/10

Not my style of music but really nice album, will probably grow on me with more listens.

Big band music almost..? Not really my thing and to my shame I don't think I've ever explored Ray Charles. It all seems very adept. Swinging big band jazz. Solid 3 i think.

Ray Charles is exceptional, this album not so much.

ok

Let The Good Times Roll very nice. The brass ensemble reminds me of the kind of music a flapper would get introduced to.

Wanted more of Ray Charles voice. Not into the big band stuff

If this was anyone else is probably be raving. Lush arrangements backing a smoky voice that puts out plenty of emotion. But it's Ray. He sings sassy rhythm and blues. This is too middle of the road. It features those awful choral backing harmonies that were prevalent at this time. This is particularly damaging on the final track. Ray is singing in that special bluesy tone that only he owned. Then in come the harmonies, turning it back into schmaltz.

Great instrumentals

Raw talent tarnished by too much horny production. But listening to this, I can see where Richard Manuel from The Band learned to sing. I'm glad Mr. Charles inspired my favorites.

LOVE IT

A bit too big band for me, but still effortless.

22nd September 2022 Listened in the morning while working from home and getting ready for Chris’s wedding. Soho house in the evening with Seb and Jen. Genius! It’s soulful and slick and played by a maestro.

sonzeira sensacional

Album title doesn't lie - he really is a genius. Great album with a mix of Big Band and Soul styles. 8/10.

Funkade

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

I enjoy Ray Charles' voice. Definitely a soul and warmth that elevates the tracks. The album is an easy music-era album to put on and enjoy. I don't think i love any of the songs, but it would be great background music for a mood.

This is a great big band album. Personally, it feels a bit tiresome after a while but if you're into big band jazz and ballads you'll love it. Ray Charles just doing his thing is worth the listen.

Not the biggest blues, jazzy fan. Nonetheless, it’s an overall good album. Felt like I was in the 50s-60s for sure

This is the seventh Ray Charles album since his debut album. It's a swinging pop album backed by a big band and was his first breakout away from pure rhythm and blues music. Although the production of the album was marred by low audio quality, Ray Charles makes up for it with his brash, beautiful piano playing and peppy lyrics. This was a wonderful album, but it is starting to show its age, since the recording never fully captured Ray's amazing quality.

Ray Charles is a legend, and this album is legendary. Definitely something I wouldn't seek out on my own, but I'm glad I was recommended this album to listen to

Great to listen to on a relaxing Sunday afternoon

meh, lots of horns, not really me.

Honestly solid but I'd probably never listen on my own

Old ppl music. No BOPPERS dude

TFW (that face when) Ray let’s the good times roll: 3/5

[07/09/2022] Fucking great. I knew my lucky number three wouldn’t let me down. The lyrics are good. The sound is better. Great both for listening attentively and for letting it play in the background as you do something else… I think this was soul/jazz? Life kinda sucks rn but this definitely helps… I can make my days a little better just by listening to this. And Ray Charles was blind too?! Damn. Oldest album yet too, 1959. I wonder what the oldest one will be.

Split between crooning and swinging songs, full band present on half

Just a solid collection of soulful, big band and jazz adjacent music. Favorite tracks: "Deed I Do", "Just For a Thrill", "It Had to Be You"

While I prefer hearing Ray with a small combo instead of an orchestra, his passion is unparalleled and his soulfulness shines.

A soulful and swinging Ray Charles backed by a big band and orchestra adds another classic album to the greatest year in jazz, 1959.

Lovely, just bloody lovely.

Loved the big band and the second half was great too. Insane that its from 1958. Harsh not to give it 5/5.

Lot of Big Band Jazz and maybe Standards on this album. Not sure what to do with that… Can’t listen to too much of it at a time. Two Years of Torture, now there’s a good song.

This definitely makes me feel like I'm in a mid-nineties Meg Ryan movie, which is probably unfortunate. Don't get me wrong - I LOVE me some Sleepless in Seattle or When Harry met Sally - but I think the inclusion of this genre of music in all of these films has probably whitewashed it somewhat. I'm guessing this was pretty hep cat stuff at the time, but we'll never know because to our generation, it's walking through Central Park with a pumpkin spice latte. What I do think is really cool is that it's really at the transition time between Big Band and Rock - and you can definitely hear that it's riding the line, and that something different is about to explode on the scene.

omg that second half was sleeeeepy. I tried to get kasia to slow dance with me in the kitchen, but she just yelled at me to turn that elevator music off.

Joya.

Got me snapping my fingers, a real great album

Can't beat ya charles

He's really good - unfortunately brass instruments simply do not vibe with me

First song "Hit the Road Jack" was awesome. Only listened to about the next 6 or so and nothing jumped out to me.

Smooth as silk (like all Ray Charles' stuff), but each song here is cut from that same big bunch o' silk - woman/man done man/woman wrong, and now man/woman feelin' sad 'n' blue about it.

Genius schmenius. An album of dull crooning of which, 5 minutes later, I can't even remember one note.

If frontloading the album with bangers is genius then he totally is. Then side two is nice and quiet so you can have a little nap.

even a genius has his off days

Not fully my cup of tea but actually really enjoyed when I was cookingg

It's disappointing that this list contains two albums of the genius that Ray Charles is. The Genius Of Ray Charles: an album with big band and singing pop arrangements and the other: Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music with country and folk songs. That is not who Ray Charles is. He is the man that almost singlehandedly invented soul as a music genre combining gospel and blues in songs like "I Got a Woman". Why is a fantastic album like Ray Charles - Ray Charles (1957) not on this list containing the genre he defined. It is a Shame, Shame, Shame (I know that is not a Ray Charles song, but it is more Ray Charles than the two albums on this list). The Genius Of Ray Charles is a mediocre album and certainly not one of his best.

I preferred the first half of the album with the full band to the string-only back half, with one exception being Come Rain or Come Shine, which might be my favorite track from the entire album.

Didn't really love this one. Mostly just not my style of music. It was fine in the background, but I wouldn't listen again by choice.

4, makes me feel old and young

Listened Before? N I'm a man of few words today but this one was good. Nice and mellow. I enjoyed it. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Come Rain or Come Shine

it's good!

beurk, too slow

the genius of ray charles indeed

A pretty good album. Ray Charles does his thing. I don't think I was familiar with any of the songs before listening. It was relatively short. I don't think I would choose to listen to the entire album again but it is definitely better than some of the other albums on this list.

I love Ray Charles, and he was indeed a genius. But the title of this sounds more like a compilation or a pushy sales job than a serious album release. There are some lovely songs within this set, and Charles’ voice is superb throughout. I was however craving a bit more variation of tempo and tone by the middle of this. Probably more of a Sunday afternoon than a Friday morning at work selection.

Big Band does me nut in. The ballads washed over me.

Glorious. No notes.

He does Sinatra better than Sinatra. Beautiful.

Always solid.

Missing "In the Heat of the Night"

An exquisitely curated collection of standards, back with a big band and anchored by Ray Charles’ sprightly piano and emotion-soaked voice. Melancholy, but in a way that doesn’t leave the listener feeling drained.

Classic