Reviews (page 4 of 14)
The term 'genius' is one of the most overused and misplaced in musical discourse. What is certain, is that Ray Charles was no genius. I would go as far as saying there may not be a single artist on this entire list who deserves that title. But if we're using it lightly, in a colloquial sense, then sure, I'll allow it. If he's a 'genius' then what is also true is that his songs simply aren't very good. Limited appeal, filled with soul and skillful playing, but largely free of melodic quality and emotion. The 1950s was such a wasteland of music. While literature was in an interesting place and there was banger after banger in the Cinema, music was in a dreadful state. Rock music had made it's landing, but it was highly repetitive and derivative in the US, waiting on a much needed injection of creativity from the UK. Like most albums of the time, this is a circle jerk of megastars sharing the same hits and giving their own spin. It makes for very dull listening. Charles at least splits the album into two styles - shite and other shite. The first half is intolerable, filled with unlistenabke brass, and the second is at least at bit more tuneful. It's a shame that by the time you get there your already numb from what came before.
An enjoyable record, though one that never fully settles into a clear identity. The first half leans into vocal jazz and big band arrangements, while the second shifts toward a lusher, more string-driven take on the R&B and soul style Ray Charles is better known for, giving the album a somewhat split personality. Both styles work well enough on their own, but the contrast can make the overall experience feel a little uneven. One pleasant surprise, though, is the production — despite being an early stereo release, it avoids the exaggerated channel separation that dates so many recordings from the era.
Despite clearly being a very good album, it loses marks for the jumpscare at the start that instantly put me in a bad mood. Also, it really isn't a good one to listen to after having been through a big breakup; all the love that Ray Charles describes just makes me feel sick. That being said, I can appreciate the artistry despite it not being quite for me. Favourites: Just For a Thrill Don't Let The Sun Catch You Cryin'
good, not great. Not my style but obvious talent.
I do not have too many words for this record other that it's good. It is some of the best ballads and blues of its time and the way rays voice lays the final layer of smoothness to the ballads had me mesmerized the first listen. I think if I had to choose the ballad side have the songs I go back to the most, but the more bluesy numbers still stick in my mind. The brass on this LP is great too. Fav tracks: It Had to be you, Dont let the sun catch you cryin', and Come rain or come shine
Blind album, know the artist. I was always impressed with Ray Charles, as well as many other musicians on this list. This style is not something I would go out of my way to listen to though.
A good album to play when trying to relax or focus.
Sehr entspannend – ich hätte nicht gedacht, dass es mir so gut gefällt, nachdem ich das Erscheinungsjahr gesehen habe. Ich weiß jedoch nicht, ob ich es mir noch einmal anhören würde, weil ich es dann doch eventuell etwas zu langweilig finde.
Este álbum me acompañó en mi día de lluvia en la ciudad, romance cada minuto. Lo amé, me sentí parte de una película en blanco y negro
YES !!!!!!!!!! YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There was a lot to love with this, I thought that it was a really interesting idea. The choice to split it into sections was pretty cool, I think it would be a little weird to mix the big band stuff with the slower piano ballads, but the flip side is that the second half didn't flow as well as the first. But still a really strong album, this is like some of the best male jazz I've heard so far. Favorites: Let the Good Times Roll, Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin', Come Rain or Come Shine
This album presents the same problem as many other vocal jazz records I've heard: it is very monotone. I must clarify that the record starts pretty nice, with "Let the good Times Roll" and "Alexander's Ragtime Band" being incredibly fun and cheerful songs. The voice has a nice attitude and the band sounds loud and full of life. Other tracks from the first half also sound great, like "Two Years of Torture" and "'Deed I Do", but the rest have a very slow and sentimental approach that I'm not a big fan of, and that carries on trough the whole second half, making it quite tedious and stale. However, I still going to give it a positive score, as I think there is a lot of passion coming the artists and band that makes the songs enjoyable enough for me.
Always like a bit of big band, jazz and blues style music. Liked this album but I’ve always had a problem with Ray. Charles’ intonation on faster songs - but appreciate it’s what he does. Love his piano playing and his passion and emotion in the slower my moody songs - eg just for a thrill
Just damn there are some love songs on here that are certified bangers
Truly is genius!!
Absolutely immaculate album from start to finish. The title of the album wasn't lying.
Let the times roll: OMG las trompetas. Its so groovy !! so mmmhg yeah !!! and his voice!!! love it already. Feels very movie like for me (maybe it IS used in movies??) and very 50s. It is from the 50s lol. The quality of the audio isn't that great but that's no one's fault but technology. But it's the only thing so far that makes me kinda uncomfortable. I have to listen sith the volume on almost the lowest cause if not it saturates my headphones (and they're not bad headphones!!) It had to be you: the scratchy and the voice breaking is so ugghh. the piano, the drums. Love love. Kinda reminds me of my grandpa, but that may just be the jazz. Alexanders ragtime band: I'm really loving how the songs are all strung together, although that's to be expected in an older album. They really dont make music like before. I'm not really listening to the lyrics cause 1. i dint want to get disappointed and 2. can't really make out what he's saying Two years of torture: the song's name caught me off guard cause. I was thinking how this qould be perfect to have playing in the living room, while having some wine and petting my cat, just listening to music. maybe with some friends. Then i listened to the lyrics and it really just is a lovesick man with a broken heart. when your lover has gone: his voice has a really nice rasp, along with some vibrato that i really like and think pairs very well with the trumpets. (just saying whatever. honestly why do i act as if i knew anything about music) I would REALLY want to listen to this in a woman's voice. a nice mezzo, or even an alto, with a very warm and clear but rich tone. Deed I do: now it feels like one single song, to be honest. The whole album I mean. I like it though. It's mainly because of the drums. And at the same time. Isn't that the point of an album? and of jazz in general? to be one cohesive thing and at the same time every song and melody is unique? (again. just hooting and hollering over here. What the hell do i know about music? nothing!) Just for a thrill: oh this is very romantic. st least the start. like. the violins? (or are they violas? or cellos?) the backup singers? stunning. I love this one. I really feel like I'm in my couch having a drink and just listening to this, the low lights on, everything a very orange-y warm tone. His vocals are so nice in this one too. Love it, really. You wont let me go: like the start. still got that calmer vibe since the last song. He doesnt have that big of a range, but he makes it count, I belive. It doesnt really matter, the songs dont need crazy ups and dons for it to be good. Tell me youll wait for me: starts a little more creepy, more mysterious. Suspicious, melancholic. His voice sounds more strained at times, or maybe more like strangled. Could be emotion, could be the high notes. Who knows. I really like "youll wait for me" little riff? melody? Dont really know what it is. Its a nice passage. Dont let the sun catch you cryin: this intro really reminds me of some brazilian songs. Which ones i dont know. Tom jobim, probably. Yeah. Something like that. His voice is so raspy. (Ray charles', not tom). It really feels like an old disney movie song sometimes. Probably the saturated audio and the strings + the choir/backup vocals in the background. Am I blue: oh nice strings intro, very nice. It somehow makes it feel older. The flute too. Pretty melancholic. MAes sense by the title, honestly. And the whole style so far. What I think is the best, is how with the same instruments, with the same everything, he can give us both a dancing happy song and a sasd ballad like this. Love the ending piano repeating into the distance. Come rain or come shine: feels like coming back home half drunk, with the sun getting up. You're tired and heavy and your head is splitting and yet! The sun is so pretty and everything looks so peaceful and it's summer, so you may as well just stay up for a little more. MAkes me remember rio, for a reason. The streets leading to ipanema. Or something of that sort. Warm mornings, even after a full niht of no sun. Could be the global warming, the about of concrete and machinery on the coty. And at the same time it could just be that that's how it is. Overall, it's a really nice ending for the album. Give a little closure with all the buildup to the abrupt end, so it doesnt feel abrupt. Really love it. My fav has to be just for a thrill or dont let the sun catch you cryin
quite jazzy and chill and vibey
so great - worthy of a vinyl
Not for me at all. Hate big band stuff
Very pleasant and Soulful. I enjoyed listening to. Don't let the sun catch you Crying is a fantastic song. 4 stars
Discazo para tener de fondo en cita o cocinando con un vino en la mano
Næs plata. Hægt að hafa hana í bakgrunni við hvað sem er örugglega.
I'm gonna listen to more jazz I guess because this is one awesome album.
Big band bwooops is niet mijn ding, wordt wel beter halverwege tho
would listen again
Not my favorite of his but still a lovely listen would do again
Voice like silk married to great big band jazz. Brilliant
This is quintessential Ray Charles. With a stringed orchestra. None of his biggest hits appear in this but all songs will get your toe tapping.
Classics that I enjoyed listening to, but I don't think I need to own this album.
A whole lotta fun big band energy, and worth holding on for some gorgeous ballads on the second side.
Damn!
2.9/5
my nipples are hard
He is a genius but the big band sound feels so dated now. I really enjoyed "Just for a thrill" and the rest were great but it just isn't something I would listen to regularly.
Por lo que he escuchado del álbum aún no siendo un audiofilo, me parece que está bastante bien en cuanto a su composición musical, las canciones son orquestadas y por su puesto algo que te haría recordar una escena de película en los 60's 70's, le doy un 7/10 ya que A MI y solo A MI no le logra atrapar este tipo de música, me encanta sonoramente pero en cuanto a las letras no puedo opinar mucho ya que mi inglés es muy vago. Aun así es un excelente álbum para estar tranquilo un sábado a las 6 de la tarde
Very lovely
Not really my genre. But the musicianship here is amazing.
Oké ik ben er weer!! Ga even de oude albums pick en choosen!!! Ben heeeeel erg opgegroeid met ray Charles!!! Hij is zo zo zo zo goed!!! Am I blue is prachtig, it had to be you ook! Zo veel ziel. Arrangeur was Quincy Jones en hij is een van m’n allergrootste voorbeelden, dus ben enorm aan het genieten. Ja iconisch
Ja dit is gewoon heerlijk.
mja weinig te zeggen. lekker gezongen, dat wel
I like
Not his best work
Belíssimo álbum!
Me llamo mucho la atención, ya que fusiona el soul con el jazz, lo cual me parece interesante, ya que en la época, el soul era marginado, por otro lado el jazz era respetado, me gusta que no sea un jazz tan puro, si no más orquestado.
Nothing wrong with this, but it just feels like one of those LPs that you see in a neglected corner of a charity shop, dusty, covered in fingerprints and scratched, with the cover sporting a 59p price sticker from Woolworths, a little bit sticky and crinkled round the edges. Once, much-loved by someone's grandad. Now, unloved and unwanted just like nan's thimble collection. Fashions change. Time moves on.
The first album I listened to since I found this website. Good one, I really like it.
I like the first track a lot. This era of music I really enjoy. There is something about the authenticity of the instruments used. You can feel the soul of the song. Today I made my playlist "1001" which I will be using for these songs. I am also trying typelit tonight. I want to finish "The Count of Monte Cristo".
Sounded a bit generic to be honest, particularly the big band stuff, which tended to swamp Ray I thought. The ballads on side B give more room for his voice/keys but were a bit dull.
When to listen: want to feel a pep in your step. Enjoyed the album but didn't read too much into it. I think better Ray Charles albums are to come...
The genius, truly. Timeless album with plenty of big band anthems and sweeter solo rendition's.
goofy ass musica de tom y jerry, banco
This is so great
9/10
I remember seeing Ray for the first time. I was quite young and had never been introduced to the artist Ray Charles before. The movie made me respect Ray Charles for everything that he had overcome as an artist (and I distinctly remember my mom saying that the movie caused her to lose her respect for him--polar opposite effect.) I have always loved his music. I find it timeless and butter smooth. The ballads feel like warm hugs for my heart. The jams make me feel like I need to get up and dance. I don't think Ray Charles is one of those artists who is up there on my "car jams" list, but if his music is on, I'm singing along. His songs feel universally known and appreciated and I don't feel that I can dismiss that in my review of this album. I listened to it three times as a part of this exercise and didn't get tired of it. That speaks volumes unto itself.
Pretty enjoyable but not memorable.
Decent album. Love Ray Charles voice and great band but no really memorable songs.
Another nice vibe but nothing really stuck out
big band feels - lots of covers i cant listen to this whole album in one sitting. maybe for the boomers or silent gen types
Transcendant easy listening Favourite track: Just for a Thrill and It Had to Be You
It was in fact genius
It takes some courage to call an album “The Genius of” your name. It is a solid album though.
Amazing. This is my first time listening to concentrated Ray Charles and - 10/10, would listen again
meh
Mid
Enjoyable listen with no obvious standouts. Half big band, half piano ballad, all good vibes.
you cant call your album that man
Not a big band jazz fan, but Ray is definitely a solid voice of the genre during his time.
Good, I tend to prefer his later, more radio-friendly songs, but this album gave me a new appreciation for where his sound came from. Even so, I appreciate what Ray Charles was doing here, blending genres and bringing so much emotion into popular music. What made this listen special was imagining my grand-papa hearing this album when he was only 24 years old, with my mom just two years old. I pictured him putting this record on in their home while starting their little family. I can hear his voice over Two Years of Torture and Just for a Thrill. That thought made my heart happy. Albums aren’t just snapshots of music history—they’re snapshots of people’s lives.
beautiful ballads. awesome vocals. good stuff. i wouldnt go back to listen but i really enjoyed it for what it was. beautiful melodies man. don't let the sun catch ya cryin' was my favorite song. 7/10
I suspect if you are a fan of this type of music then this is a really good album. Unfortunately I’m not really a fan so just find it a bit dull.
The big band songs were ok, the rest wasn’t!
Two things sprang to mind listening to this: 1. When did that trumpet sound (using the mute) first go from big band staple to ‘sexual connotations’? I’m thinking before some nob gag in the Naked Gun films? 2. Calling an album ‘The Genius of…’ in one’s own lifetime is quite the arrogance. Posthumous ‘Best of..’ album maybe. I mean, not even Prince or Jedward tried that one. As for the album. While it’s heyday of helping a young lad tit a girl up at ‘the dance’ is long gone. It does have a lot of class about it, and is pretty chill and listenable. Better than the other one we got given in here.
A super solid and consistent soul album from a young Ray Charles. Very classic sounds and Ray’s vocal performance seem effortless. 3.8/5.0
3.5 - Good
Orchestral R&B and soul-jazz built on lush big-band arrangements, piano, swinging rhythms, and rich, expressive vocals unfolds with elegant control. Listening feels like sitting in a grand, velvet-lit ballroom where every note is carefully placed and nothing is left to chance. The result is refined and emotionally resonant. Unfortunately its only ackground music for me because of this.
2.1/5 Look this isn't a bad album by any stretch. It's just not my cup of tea. If I heard any of these songs playing on the radio or while I was out somewhere I wouldn't mind, but there's not much on this album that would warrant me to come back to it.
Ray Charles
It's a beautiful jazz album, very good production, beautiful voice of Ray Charles, the lyrics leave much to be desired, perhaps it will be the album of this list that up to now I want to listen to more times because it's very much in my style.
Very abrasive first half, good songs behind an awful recording. 2nd half great
Not for me good tho
A tasteful decision in the vinyl era, the Yin-yang presentation allowed the listener to decide the mood. So much to love on this beautiful album.
really enjoyed
I did it right. Martini in hand. An enjoyable listen, but I really don't know enough about the history of jazz to speak on its importance, nor do I have the time right now to conduct the research. I wish i did. My listen make me wish I still smoke because a stinky ass room would have completed the aesthetic experience.
It's outside my genre, his kind of music is what I periodically listen to at mellow times. His instrumentals reflect his era — that of jazz and blues, and his lyrics speak of love, sons? and you know, hyping himself or something else up. I haven't looked into the history of this entire album yet. I never had the time to. But, yeah, it's great. Im not good at writing music reviews yet. I like his vocals in Come Rain Or Shine ^<^
Feeling like in an old Disney cartoon
I know Ray Charles is great and all, but this is not at all for me. Has a big band flavor I just don’t like.
Me lo imagino a Ray Charles terminando el álbum y diciendo “wow sos un genio Ray Charles”. Y yo no soy quién para debatirlo.
Ray Charles' the man
Love Ray Charles but didn't find this anything more than "nice." The arrangements are good, but not great, the songs good, not great. I think Ray's a compilation guy, unfortunately. Still a good listening experience, but I'm looking for his great stuff.
Swing achtig, rustig trompetje en piano
Ey, it's Ray! A genius indeed. Some soulful big-band hits that are hard to dislike. Plus I hear he's a pretty good dude after taking Joliet Jake on IOU credit. Fav tracks: Let the Good Times Roll, Come Rain or Come Shine
I need more Ray Charles in my life
Now that's what I call music!!
Divine Next winter I'd like to hibernate inside this album
Not something I'd proactively listen to, but damn...he's a legend for a reason. Makes me want to put on a pillbox hat, rock some red lipstick, and light up a cigarette.
I’ve probably listened to this a couple hundred times, but tried to listen with fresh ears. The big-band stuff has its moments—obviously, it’s Ray Charles—but can be tough to listen to. The arrangements are bland and way too loud. All these top-flight jazz musicians are given nothing much to do except blast their trumpets into my eardrums. Also, the recording quality is mysteriously poor even for 1959 or whatever year this was. The back half, with the string ballads, works a lot better. Ray’s great at singing sad, and it comes through a lot better when the trumpets aren’t trying to murder me. Still almost 5 stars because Ray is the greatest to ever do it.
The big band into ballads was fun. Do you think he named the album himself?
Fun music.
great album, I really like Ray Charles voice and the mellow songs. I had never heard this album or really any of Ray Charles songs/albums. A very nice change of pace from what I usually listen to. I would definitely listen to this again and would buy it
What am I supposed to do, not enjoy Ray Charles?
38# Love ray charles, this doesn't have his greatest hits, i guess i would prefer other compilation, but this is great for the year as chill as you can chill to be chilly with chilliness.
So good I had to listen to it twice.
Beautiful. I love his voice and I really enjoyed these songs.
A really good album by Ray Charles, I liked Let The Good Times Roll and Come Rain or Come Shine the most.
Siempre temazos, aunque este no moló tanto
One of my new favorite albums of all time. It fits perfectly on my “love for music” shelf that I never knew I had space for. An album better than this will be difficult, I can die happy. 100/100 if I can change the grading scale.
It’s good but won’t ever revisit.
Joo tää on tämmönen. En oo hirveemmi kuunnellu souls musiikkii nii ei hirveesti oo sanottavaa. Välil tuntu et oon vanhassa musikaalissa ja välil et oon family guy cutaway:ssa. Sorry not sorry kaikki kuulosti aika samanlaiselta. Arvosana jotain 2,5/5. Paras biisi oli ehkä: When Your Lover Has Gone.
Please could The Genius Of Ray Charles please lay off the big band and allow the genius of Ray Charles to comes through a little more?
11-Mar-2026. Never listened to a full Ray Charles album before. Enjoyed the big band-esque intro track (apparently known as Jump Blues genre). I can appreciate the talent, but wouldn't listen to it regularly.
A wonderful mix of smooth jazz, big band, and crooner, accented by the warm and dulcet voice of Ray. As the album title promises, Ray was undoubtedly a musical genius. I'm in awe of his piano playing, but this album has become such a cultural touchstone that it didn't offer any surprises to me.
great voice and a nice groove
This man has a voice like butter. Not only that, the band have such an unbelievably smooth delivery and tight musicianship. This combined to create a lovely blend of soul & jazz, an album that is enjoyable from start to finish, yet one of those that would land better if you were listening to it live in a jazz bar.
7/10
This was fine. Not really my jam.
I'm not sure why but I don't generally love the big band sound. Ray Charles has an incredible voice, but I was kind of bored.
Not my favorite Ray Charles stuff, but it's still very good.
3/5 - Great vocals, but the constant big band sound wore me down after awhile
j'adore ray charles dsll😸😸😸
whatever
Beautiful
Really enjoyed the first few songs but then it got slower and less interesting. Still a fun album.
This is my first album-length experience of Ray Charles, and I was disappointed. I suspect these songs are not really making the best use of his talents, though. I came in expecting a soul album, and it was instead a bunch of competent, but not particularly distinctive, versions of jazz standards done better numerous times by others. It honestly starts out with a good punch, on the swaggering version of "Let The Good Times Roll", but from there it just winds down to a whimper by the end. I suspect this program will give me more Ray Charles in the future, and I expect it will be better.
Quite the humble title, that... It may not have been two years of torture, but it sure felt like it.
I was so bored with this.
Chill music, hoogstwaarschijnlijk toe te voegen aan meerdere lijsten.
It's right there in the title, The Genius Of Ray Charles how can we argue with that.
Don’t really like swing, or big band, or ballads, so this was a miss. Like the occasional tune but having Sinatra and Ray Charles back to back has been rough 4.5 / 10 Alright track: Alexander’s Ragtime blues
Really solid album, love most of Ray Charles stuff. I listened to the whole thing the other day, I’ll give a four star.
His voice is incredible, just don’t find any of the songs to be that memorable
Really fun album - it came up immediately after Dwight Yoakam and was a real palate cleanser.
A genius!
Lyckas på något sätt kännas avslappnat snarare än trött, riktigt härlig helhet!
Lite självgod titel kan tyckas? Stabilt men mer sömnigt än genialiskt enligt mig.
Gör vad det ska, mysigt och antagligen viktigt för musikhistorien, men inte mer än så för mig.
Geni? Visst. Kul att lyssna på? Ganska.
Det här är självfallet inte dåligt, men just detta album tycker jag saknar schwungen som finns i hans andra alster. Men man blir ju helt klart sugen på att skaffa en svart kvinna. aå: tro inte att du får en femma bara för att du är blind!
(☞⌐▀͡ ͜ʖ͡▀ )☞
Good album. Not really my type of music, but I did enjoy it.
It was nice, but a bit too slow for my liking
Big fan of Ray Charles in general but NGL I thought this album was gonna better than it was. The second half in particular was very slow. Obviously the playing and singing was beautiful but I found the album as a whole a bit of a slog and a little dated.
Interesting hearing an older record like this and hearing the hard panning as it was taken from mono to stereo. Also how the preamps distort is really fascinating. Classic songs though and fantastic performances make this a stellar album despite some of the distortions.
Never listened to a full Ray Charles album before, only familiar with a handful of his more popular songs. Jazzy big band songs on the first half. His voice is great. Has a timeless sound to a lot of this. This is the kind of music that’s very easy to listen to. It’s all very fun. Back half is a lot slower, which seems to highlight the piano and voice more. I think I prefer these ballads, as fun as the first half is. They’re very good. Overall, hard to rate something like this. Wouldn’t normally want to put this on, but did enjoy listening to it. And it makes me want to explore more Ray Charles. His voice is so great and the back half really lets it shine, but the more big band stuff is kinda forgotten by the time you’re at the end of the album. Feels like a solid 3, not sure it did enough for me to get to a 4.
This album sounds amazing and really showcases Ray Charles’ talent with his singing and ability to play the piano. I enjoyed the softer ballad filled second half more than the big bad style first half. With that being said, when I think of Ray Charles, it’s not him singing pop ballads and doing Frank Sinatra impressions that comes to mind. It’s the way he fused jazz, soul, and gospel music that I think of. This album is good, but it’s not the Ray Charles that i’m going to play when I tell myself I want to hear Ray Charles today.
Mhh Zuviel r&b bigband elevator? Rührt mich nicht so sehr wie die anderen aus der Zeit…c
Good album
I don’t think there is any single album I think of when I think of Ray. However, this album was great from start to finish. A mixture of big band and piano ballads. 2 songs added to playlist
I liked this more than the generally beloved Modern Sounds in Country Music, but I still think his music is better when it is not drenched in genius syrup. When guy can play piano and sing like Ray Charles, why do you want to add anything to it?
I can’t really fault anything — the playing is tight, the production is smooth, Charles sounds good — but outside of a few moments here and there, this just doesn’t do much for me. It’s too gussied up in big band and late-50s production trappings to move me. Where is the soul?
Like that Frank Sinatra record, except less sad and square.
I'll never get sick of Ray's singing
so melodic
Low-key kind of boring. Not my jam. But after a while the tunes were flowing and it was nice.
Love the vibes of the album, just feels a bit repetitive by the end. Ray Charles has a lovely voice with so much soul, and the instruments are groovy.
Source material for Marla Hooch's epic performance! I loved the soulful back half of this album so much.
First half of the album is Ray Charles imitating Sinatra. The big band sound is tiresome after one song. Second half of the album is better with Ray doing what he knows best: playing piano.
6.5
I love Ray Charles voice. This album starts out pretty swinging in the first half, lots of big band. But then quiets down in the second with mostly piano ballads. Ray’s voice is crisp and the highlight here but the songs tend to blend and lose their punch towards the end. No mega hits here but “let the good times roll” is my fave. Solid but likely not his best work.
It was pretty good.
2.9 stars. Cromulent.
Let the Good Times Roll was a great way to start off this album!! Great background music! I didn’t have any favorite songs, but I enjoyed this whole album! Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I mean it’s good for what it is. Extremely vibey, as most of this oldtimey big band stuff usually is. Started to sound a bit samey as it went on though. A second listen might do good.
Immediately incredible, I expected nothing less, I'd have loved this as much at 15 as I am right now, but I'm a sucker for a crooner and I always was, aspirationally. The real emotional foothold of the album tho is cemented, like a boot in when concrete, by 'You Won't Let Me Go', my god this one hit.
The genesis of rock
Objectively good, but I got bored listening to it all the way through
Ray sings big band singles. What’s not to like?
I mean it's Ray Charles! Top Discoveries from the album: "Deed I Do" and "You won't let me go" Incredible Big Band Album.
Always struggle not to think of either Christmas or the Fallout games when I hear old music like this. It’s okay, nothing is particularly interesting to me once you get over the novelty of it being old.
Fun and Soulful. Interesting that at this point a lot of people weren’t writing their own songs. Not the later sound he would fill in to, but a good beginning. Highlights: It Had To Be You, Come Rain or Shine From Musicboard (OG 1/18/26 [#31] Imported 2/26/26)
A gorgeous listen from start to finish. The title of the album does not give Ray Charles enough credit. There is not a song on the album I did not enjoy. I would not listen to this frequently, but would not complain if it was queued.
Eh j'aime pas ça
Despite my tendency to be a little jaded, and I’m not the biggest fan of the big-band style in general, this was pretty delightful. The second half in particular stood out as being a little more gentle, more beautiful. The sort of album you can come back to like a comfortable place.
Big band jazz? This is a massive band. Choir, strings, and horns all accent the compositions beautifully. I like how minimalist the piano plane is, likely to make space for everything else, but he inserts piano licks as a call and response to his vocals, which are pretty good as well. Still there was nothing truly unexpected or out of the ordinary, and one thing curious about this kind of jazz is it's pretty restrictive stylistically. Jazz is interesting. That way because improvisation invites creativity, but the framework is strict. Anyway, this is great stuff, but I'm having trouble giving it a three or four. I'd say 7.5/10
When this album first popped up, I was excited: Ray Charles! R&B deluxe! Eh . . . not so much. This is slick, formulaic, and schmaltzy. Ray's voice is still great, so I guess I'll give it 3 stars just for that. Maybe this is a generational thing: this seems like music for my grandparents' generation, but, to me, just slick, predictable, and not very exciting or interesting.
The recording can barely contain those horns. Wow. I think the second half is stronger though. First half is kinda forgettable and not my preferred style of Charles. It is the great Ray though, and his brilliance shines through
Really nice to listen to. Some of the recordings of the beass were a bit too loud and you could hear this in the production. Also glad to hear that there wasn't much of the annoying backing vocals but there was some...
Great stuff
хороший джаз омага
I think rather sadly I didn't get on with this. It wasn't unpleasant and I didn't want to turn it off but I didn't feel like I wanted to listen to it again.
Lo más llamativo es la marcada versatilidad entre sus dos caras. Mientras que la primera parte se inclina hacia un jazz demasiado denso para mi gusto, es en la segunda mitad donde aparece el Ray Charles que realmente me atrapa. Vocalmente, me parece el mejor de los tres discos que llevo escuchados hasta ahora en este proyecto
Das hat Laune gemacht.
Habe irgendwie den Vergleich zu Sinatra im Kopf, da gefällt mir das insb. stimmlich doch etwas besser.
Das klingt alles nicht verkehrt, könnte als entspannte Dinner-Musik fungieren. Wirklich fesseln tut mich hier allerdings nur ganz wenig und die Balladen sind in Summe ziemlich austauschbar. Aber schön anzuhören ist das schon.
Da sind jetzt nicht die Songs drauf die ich mit dem Mann in Verbindung bringe aber trotzdem ist das schon ganz in Ordnung.
Starts out with a bang, finishes with a great rendition of a classic, with a few gems in between.
Best of both worlds with big band and ballads - perfection
Old standards feeling, big band swing, what a voice!
#119 I know, nobody dislikes Ray Charles music, I don't dislike Ray Charles music, your mom doesn't dislike Ray Charles music, your dog probably wouldn't dislike Ray Charles music if he weren't a dog, but most of the songs on this aren't that great really. Ok, Come Rain Or Come Shine is great admittedly, but I don't get the high ratings on this, it's fine, it's acceptable, but there are awesome jazz albums on this list not getting the love they deserve!
Early gritty mono sound that defines ray charles, with out the bop of his 60s sound. Beautiful album.
The Genius of Ray Charles showcases Ray Charles’ strong and expressive voice right from the start. The album carries an old-school ballroom atmosphere — it feels like suit-and-cocktail music, with big band arrangements and a polished sound. There’s a clear contrast in moods throughout. Some tracks are lively and upbeat, while others slow things down into bluesy ballads, especially “Two Years of Torture.” The second half, with its string-backed ballads, was surprising and at times a bit too slow. Overall, the album feels old-fashioned, and while the big band style doesn’t strongly appeal to me for repeat listens, the quality of the performances and songs is clear.
Interesting. Not a huge fan of big band era type music but it was a nice listen.
This makes me want to watch all the musical scenes in the Blues Brothers.
Enjoyable album but I’d rather listen to one song sprinkled here or there.
Excelente como se encarga de no darte cuenta cuando pasa de canción. Parece un soo tema de 32 minutos. No es un género que escuche pero aprecio la calidad de esta obra. 8/10
Now THIS is what I’m talking about. This is a golden album. I loved every song. The soul, the instrumental arrangements, the voice made of honey and soul, the pure unfiltered yearning. It’s perfect. The Genius of Ray Charles was definitely an album fairly named. I’m a bit fan of 50s-60s slow jazz and this album is one of the better ones I’ve come across. Easy 5 stars.
Liked the big band tracks but found the romantic songs a little tedious
First listen
Having never really listened to his music, I can see why he was the standard during his hey day. A commanding voice and tight band behind him. Sound was just a bit... Old fashioned for my tastes. 3.75 ⭐
had alberto grooving
Fantastic
I've no interest in this. Heard before ❌️ Listened this time ❌️ Revisit ❌️ Default ★★☆☆☆ (4/10) Total reviewed : 237 Already owned : 54 Purchased : 12 To buy list : 3 Nope : 168
I can't fathom this album only being 38 minutes. One of the most succient masterpieces. Not really familiar with Ray Charles' work I wasn't sure what to expect but his voice boils up your soul. In the name of love of course.
Vocals? Crooning. Drums? Swinging. Ivories? Tinkling. Horns? Blarting. Must be a 50s jazz pop album! Not enjoying music like this is like not enjoying a marshmallow.
Kaufen
I have never been a fan of this recording. I like a few of the songs okay, but it just always seemed muddy to me. Compare this to Careless Love from Modern Sounds and the true genius of Ray Charles is apparent.
Timeless voice, good for what it is, but I got tired of listening to it and annoyed after a while as it was all sounding the same. (3)
Big title to live up to and it succeeds. Starts fun and loud before calming down a bit doesn’t over stay its welcome. Only loses points because I can’t see when it would feel appropriate to put on
Got a lil bored , but decent
it's in the name. genius
Love everything about this album. I want it playing all the time.
There are a couple I just love
I remember when the sun caught me crying. So embarrassing! Songs are good but I’d prefer to not have Andy Williams style production values and background carolers.
Nothing was bad but nothing really grabbed me
Classic. loved it.
What is this, a Nora Ephron movie? Ray was 29 when he made this—DORK.
This album is a testament to both the beautiful playing and magnetic vocal talent of Ray Charles. On an album of mostly old standards backed by a full big band, Charles is what stands out most. The first half consisting mostly of horn-arranged R&B, and the second string-backed ballads, a lot of the tracks that make this great are those that allow Charles to stand on his own- "It Had To Be You", "Don't Let The Sun Catch You Cryin'", and "Come Rain or Shine". The biggest detriment to this album is the engineering and sound quality, the backing band especially sounds over-modulated and fried in big moments where they're all featured, which is a shame. Favorite Tracks: "It Had to Be You", "Come Rain or Shine" Least Favorite Track: "Alexander's Ragtime Band" - Falls prey to the engineering issues the hardest, to my ear at least.
A classic from an all-time American musician. I'm beginning to really appreciate older artists' abilities to assemble compositions like this with so many different musicians in the studio. Every instrument is played beautifully, and there's so many small but well executed pieces (especially trumpet and piano play) in a way that feels so jazzy in the best way. Wonderfully evocative, I feel like the album really hits its stride around Deed I Do/Just for a Thrill. But that's not to take away at all from earlier highlights like the swingy Alexander's Ragtime Band and it's phenomenal brass. But the soul/blues just really seems to shine for me as the album develops, ultimately culminating in Come Rain or Come Shine and its dualistic somber/whimsical strings.
Man, this album is such a vibe. Ray's voice is just effortlessly smooth whether he's doing the big band stuff or the slower string arrangements. "Let the Good Times Roll" and "It Had to Be You" are standouts for me. I knock off one star only because the two halves of the album feel a little disconnected, but honestly both sides are great on their own. Classic Ray through and through.
Would have liked it more if I was in a better mood at the time.
Notablebtextzeile: It's just the bestest band, well, damn, woah, honey lamb Das sind musikalisch solche Standartsachen (geworden?) das mich da wirklich gar nichts dran überraschend. Musikalisch als auch textlich nicht sehr abwechslungsreich. Aber halt auch wundervolle Stimme und perfekt arrangiert. Für den Vordergrund aber echt zu gleichförmig. Hätte hier gerne halbe Sterne, dann wäre es 2.5.
The great American Borebook... Charles macht auf Sinatra und klingt... banal. 2 Punkte für das reduzierte Arrangement auf Side B, obwohl das immer noch teilweise schlimm ist.
Kann man so machen. Muss man schon sagen. Aber auch nicht immer, und am besten sonntagvormittags.
Album link corrupted
Very entertaining selection of standards with Ray Charles' classic flair. Fun jazzy twist on the songs that is both engaging and unique. Top tracks: It Had to Be You, Alexander's Ragtime Band, Come Rain or Come Shine
I liked this one slightly better than the other Ray Charles one I got earlier in my journey - but then again, I like rap and hip hop slightly more than yodelling, it doesn’t mean I want to listen to either ever again.
Nice little album. Not my thing but it’s fun to hear him sing. Some good stuff towards the end.
Very good, jazzy versions of pop standards
Ray Charles has one of my favorite voices. Everything he sings sounds effortless even if simultaneously gritty. However I definitely prefer his rock/R&B songs to the big band/jazz on this album. He does show us his piano skills which is cool but I don’t think I’d listen tit his again.
This feels like a white washed Ray. An album to make him more palatable the white folks. There are glimpses of the true Ray in here, but he feels constrained
Ray Charles é um nome de peso, mas o primeiro disco dele que peguei na lista (Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music) não me entusiasmou, achei ele entediante e esquecível até, minimamente passável (dei apenas 2/ 5). Contudo, devido ao seu renome crítico, vim a este disco com expectativas reiniciadas, pensando que eu simplesmente não estava no humor certo para o álbum, e etc. Infelizmente, novamente o trabalho do artista não me impressionou. Inegavelmente este é um disco bem completo, com faixas arruaceiras e animadas acompanhadas de algumas baladas mais sentimentais e lentas. A voz de Charles é bela, e gosto bastante de seu liricismo. Mas ao todo, foi um apenas mais um disco de música popular. Não notei nada aqui realmente marcável ou tão memorável assim. É mais do mesmo, bem executado é claro, mas ainda assim, nada que poderia elevar o disco para além da normalidade. 3/5
It was lovely and we listened to it on the underground on our way to pick up the doggies from Uxbridge. Perhaps a little too soft at times for me, misses the punchiness i always look for. But it's Ray Charles, so can't really fault him yaknow.
Jazzy Good vocals Love songs
Jazz, repeterande, trivelig, gøye tekstar! Høyr gjerna igjennom detta på ny - var litt distrahert mens eg høyrte på da slik at eg ikkje fekk heilt album-følelsen!
The perfect music for a romance.
he's got a good ear for swing, i enjoyed that Would I listen again: on vinyl Deserves to be on this list: yes 3.5
This was great. Nice mix of big band music and softer songs. Over too quickly.
Ray's voice commands attention and respect, but his true genius lies with the blending of genres such as the Blues, Gospel, jazz, and R&B together to make new sounds that were groundbreaking at the time. This record is divided into two sides, one that's mor lively and Big Band-inspired, and one that is more ballad-powered and blue. The music is very of-it's-time for me, and while it is a pleasant listen, I often have trouble focusing on the music itself because it reads as rather basic for me. Still, it's not a bad listen.
The album gets repetitive kinda quickly, specially the first half which just kinda sounds the same. The second half is also repetitive but the songs are more calm, which I enjoyed a little bit more. Overall it's just not my cup of tea. Ray Charles has an amazing voice, but the album just feels like generic 50s music and gets boring very quickly. 2/5
The album has two distinct flavours; a big-band era swing side, and a side featuring romantic swing ballads. Intersecting the two is Ray Charles' gospel-inflected piano playing and emotive, often passionate vocal delivery. In combining these two worlds, Charles demonstrates his genre-bending ability, excelling at both uptempo and reflective tunes (although the Sinatra-esque second side is admittedly weaker) to create a soulful, bluesy pop album.
Brilliant artistry, amazing voice. I like his bluesier stuff better, but it's tough to deny Ray Charles. 8/10
😐
Einfach großartig
best album so far
Croon-y Ray Charles is not my favorite. It's not terrible, but this sounds heavily sanitized.
Much more my speed. A good sound, great for getting work done. Thoroughly enjoyable.
HOW CAN ONE MAN HAVE SO MUCH TALENT?
Had a fun time listening to this one.
No comment really needed. Perfectly example of why he's ranked in the Top 10 Greatest Artists of All Time.
I have been aware of Ray Charles for most of my life, but I can't say that I've ever sat down and listened to his music. I only knew one of the tracks, but all the songs are timeless. Wow what a talent.
I don’t think I’ve ever listened to a Ray Charles album before this did not disappoint I really enjoyed it
#4/1089 --------- Since I loved Stevie Wonder's work I had expected to like this as much since it's around the same genre but it seems not. It kind of feels like every song is trying to be the same. Favorites: Just for a Thrill, It Had To Be You Least favorites: Deed I Do, Alexander's Ragtime Band Rating (out of 10): 7/10
Love the mix of R&B with big band accompaniment.
The style of 50's Big Band swing-pop on Side A is really far from my favourite style of music, I enjoyed the opening track quite a lot, but very quickly grew tired after that. the shift into side B's slower string backed balladry was a welcome change, and really showcased Ray Charles' vocals however started feeling quite samey after a few tracks. It's undeniable though that Ray himself put in a fantastic performance here, enough to elevate this from a lower score, but I feel there are other records that better display his undeniable contribution and influence on the world of music Fav Track: 1 - Let The Good Times Roll Best Three Track Run: 7, 8, 9
It’s fine, I guess, just a bit samey after a few tracks
Second half better than the first. I've heard better Ray Charles albums.
Another GOAT!
4 - BAD
First time listening to a Ray Charles album and I guess it didn't help me understand "the genius". This big band music just doesn't work for me, each time I get randomly attacked with horns in the middle of a song I flinch 2/5
Liked it.
Where's my martini?
4 fort en qualité musicale. 3 faible en plaisir d'écoute.
Des arrangements qui incitent à la violence. 2.75 étoiles
Absolutely beautiful!! Loved it. Will definitely listen again and I’m excited to discover more Ray Charles.
I like the soulful songs more than the big band songs.
This is an incredible album. He was a very talented artist, this album is here to testify that. I like big band and this delivers with soulful, bluesy, R&B/jazz perfection. I realise a lot of the tracks are re-interpretations of jazz/pop standards, but you can't deny his performance and delivery are sublime. The fact that this was recorded in the 50s with a live ensemble, some tape and, quite clearly, an exceptional team of sound and recording engineers just adds to the overall enjoyment.
Absolutely bloody fantastic. Now THIS is a bit of me. Front to back, a short album on the face of it, but what it lacks in longevity, it makes up for with it’s banger after banger quality. A solid LP. I love this and it will be staying in my library for future enjoyment. Yes please !
Big band gets boring very quickly
This album is great... I mean, it's Ray Charles. There are fantastic songs on here, and there is too much quality too, so all the songs add a bit of greatness to the overall feeling. And what an overall! This album has amazing songs!
I reviewed Ray Charles’s other album about a year ago, and it wasn’t really my jam. I think Ray Charles is a great musician, but I just wasn’t that interested to hear him sing a bunch of cover songs. Looking at this album’s track listing, I see that I’m in for another round of cover songs, and I have to admit, I’m not terribly excited for this, especially since it’s my last album of the 1950’s. Maybe I’ll be pleasantly surprised by this album, but I’m not counting on it. Unfortunately, like Ray’s other album on this list, I didn’t care for this album. Ray Charles is a genius, but that genius was not on display here. These songs didn’t utilize Ray’s soulful singing, and they barely allowed him to showcase his unique vocal tone. On top of that, his piano playing was completely washed out in the big band sound on the first side of the album, and he didn’t get to show off his ability to fill in the music with jazz style riffs here and there. This album was a boring dud, but it’s just because these songs aren’t that great to begin with, and they’re not capable of showcasing what a talent Ray Charles is. It’s a bummer that the two albums of Ray’s on this list don’t allow him to play to his strengths. The only song that came close was “Come Rain or Come Shine,” but as the last track on the album, it was too little too late.
What a 180 from the Smiths yesterday. Listened in the car on the way into work.
What an icon.
big band jazz. mira vos, no se en donde entra esto en mis gusto pero me gusta. divertido sacar la escala mientras suena. Que buenos vientooos. Y los solitos pianitos. Siento que las mejores canciones son las tranquis. Likes: It had to be you - When your lover has gone - Just for a Thrill - You wont let me go - Am i blue?
A little too big band-y for me, and the actual recording wasn’t great. It was a decent album.
How to make a masterpiece in 34 minutes. Good on you, Charles.
The word genius gets overused but not when it comes to Ray Charles. A musician and composer who crossed genres deserves every accolade that has come his way.
Can't fault this one from Mr Charles. Beautiful.
Absolute banger
Genius understated. Separate the art from the artist.
Save this for a chill Sunday morning, it’s a nice treat
tell everybody Ray Charles in town
Yes lawd
Great!
Mais animado que o outro que ouvi mas continua muito bom
excellent
(3/7) The slow jazz ballads really lost me
I mean, genius probably does sum Ray up. Easily listening, but not a genera I gravitate to. It worked here on a Saturday afternoon with a cocktail, but I'm not going to listen to this in the car, at work, working out etc. so a good, solid album.
I didn't like this album as much as his others, because it was too "big band" style in many of the songs.
Yum 8/10
I didn’t love the song selection but Ray Charles can make any shit sound good.
A classic. Ray Charles is a gift to pop music. This album is superb. A 5.
I like Ray Charles but this was a little too 'big band' for me.
Previously rated: #849 - Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music (4/5) ******************************************************** Album #1,028 I don't know if I'd call it genius, but it's pleasant enough. He's got a folksy style mixed in with the big band sound, eh...it's ok.
Hell yeah, RHCP at the top of their game.
I was playing fallout new vegas so it was fine
I like Ray Charles but this really didn't do anything for me.
Hard not to love Ray Charles singing Jazz! Good album all-around!
Nobody does it quite like Ray Charles Favorite Songs: Just for a Thrill, Come Rain or Shine
Pleasantly surprised!
Good... But there are better versions of most of these songs imo