The Genius Of Ray Charles

Love Ray but there is something a bit too packaged and sterilised about this. There is plenty of emotional expression in the playing and singing but the big band hollywood movie style of the recording is not my cup of tea and i’m not sure of all the Ray Charles recordings this is the one i absolutwly have to hear before they lay me horizontal and ignite the burners.

I guess you had to have some RC on the list. Not bad. Just nothing I’d ever choose to listen to. 2.5

3.5 enjoyable!

After Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles broadcasted the most important male voice in the history of popular music. I'd like to add Robert Johnson's, but his is not a crossover in the way Louis's or Ray's is. Then again, perhaps 'crossover' is not precise enuf - above all else, Ray is the foremost genius of integration, engendering a style that fused blues, gospel, jazz, and those early expressions of rock 'n' roll: soul music, in other words. If you require evidence of his unusual and necessary power, listen to the final moments of 'Just for a Thrill' when the man pushes and grunts his way to a sublime capture of feeling. This record is particularly thrilling, featuring jazz greats like Clark Terry, Paul Gonsalves, and Zoot Sims on side one.

I enjoyed this from front to back. Ray Charles was a treasure!

What an odd title. Not my preferred style of his music. Great voice but the over the top orchestration ruins it.

Koji kontrast između strana albuma, prva je puno više za mene a druga je baš spora i uspavana. Začudo, ne sviđa mi se ni njegov glas nešto posebno.

I'm approaching this by viewing the artist as auteur; the album as their creation. So, as well executed and enjoyable as this collection is, I'm going to have to mark it down for those reasons. For a sound that fuses so many other genres, it has to be said this bluesy big band pop sound has a very limited vocabulary. That doesn't really matter though, it is all pulled off with irresistable charismatic energy by Charles and the wealth of musicians assembled - my dad would have loved this record, I'm sure. Charles may himself be an icon, this album - for me - while fun, is not really iconic.

I much prefer the balladry half of this album. Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin' and Come Rain or Come Shine are exceptional songs.

Golden oldies your Nanna will love⭐⭐⭐

It was okay. Not really my thing. A bit jazzy and meandering. Enjoyment two stars but it's clearly better than that.

Good for what it is

All killer. No filler. No matter what I'm currently listening to, I know I can put this album on as an instant audio palate cleanser. The album starts off like gangbusters with "Let the Good Times Roll" and keeps the pace up with the massive horn arrangements and high energy big band. But, as the album continues on, the music gets more soulful and jazzy. The string arrangements are absolutely beautiful. Ray Charles is just the epitome of soul. There are so many great songs on this record but I suppose my favorite is "Just for a Thrill."

bit slow towards the middle but holy hell the brass goes crazy

++*: Come Rain or Come Shine ++: Let the Good Times Roll, It Had to Be You, Alexander's Ragtime Band, Two Years of Torture, Deed I Do, You Won't Let Me Go, Tell Me You'll Wait for Me, Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin' +: When Your Lover Has Gone, Just for a Thrill, Am I Blue 9,4/10

I like Ray Charles, especially with country ballads, but I didn't enjoy this album much. 3 stars or C-.

I like Ray Charles but I don't care for cover albums.

yawn. Sappy music

Great collection of tracks here. 5/10

Incredible, a 50s album that cheers you up immediately and Ray Charles has an amazing voice, delighted to have discovered this album and artist, now I can say I've listened to old music!

He could sing with passion for sure, and I enjoyed some of his piano licks. But overall this didn't grab me. Give me Nat King Cole.

Helt omöjligt att lyssna på detta album utan att röra en min. Jag teleporteras omedelbart till en helt annan plats med detta i lurarna. Jag fascineras av att man kan höra hur denna musik är urmodern till så många moderna genrer vi har idag. Fantastiskt album. En liten poäng tas av då jag upplever att man blir "mätt" på musiken efter ett tag, inget jag hade lyssnat på om jag är upptagen med något, utan det här måste man sitta ner och njuta av i lugn och ro, alternativt lyssna på under en rask promenad.

Ray Charles is a musical genius - Eddie Murphy could’ve just as easily chosen Charles as Steveie Wonder for that old SNL chestnut. This man can play the shit out of a piano and, man can he sing! But he’s just not the consistent songwriter that Stevie is. There’s a lot of middlin’ (do I say ‘mid’ now?) songs here, which can’t do his talents justice. So, let’s twist it around a bit : ‘love the artist, ‘meh’ the art

Not the ray charles I love but the album is pleasant enough. If I was having a dinner party in the 80s or going through a breakup in a romcom, this would be my soundtrack.

just wow

Ray Charles bringing amazing blues sensibilities to big band and ballads - what’s not to love. The first half of the album is more to my personal taste but overall some outstanding music.

Lovely and warming

Prefer his later stuff but some nice tracks on here

I feel about the same as the last ray Charles album.

Fak, dobr začetek - trobente, the whole big band, po pa Charles začne pet. Kr amazing. ("Let the Good Times Roll") Sledi mu mirnejši "It Had to Be You". Od kerga je to originalno? (O waw, originalen komad je iz 1924.) Pač, mene algoritem razvaja že čist predolg. Ful mam rada big band shit pa 50s pop. In nimam nekih posebnih pripomb, kle bo vsak komad dober & v dokaj podobnem si stilu. "Just for a Thrill" je fakin cozy s subdued bobni, klavirjem in ženskim zborčkom back vokalov. Sam sneg bi mogu še padat, ampak vsaj kamin mam zalaufan. Isti vajb je z "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin'". In skor vsemi komadi. Pač, get cozy & enjoy.

Enjoyed this one! easy on the ears and good album to wind down to.

Ahhhhhh yes. Lovely. Superb

The title is audacious, but it was a really excellent album.

yesssss he is so good

It ain’t bragging if it’s true. There are times where I feel very fortunate to have lived in a world with Ray Charles music in it.

If only the second half sounded as good as the first. His sassy energy is top notch through the first side, but the strings and slower pace on the b-side misses the needed crescendo.

Ray sounds great, the songs are pleasant. But I don't see myself coming back to an album like this. But I also wouldn't turn of the stereo if any of these songs popped up. 3.5*

Genius indeed...very catchy (and long, a double album)

So good it’s hard to fully appreciate. Just a comment in general but listening to these older albums it’s simultaneously hard to understand their true influence (as we don’t have the full context of their breakthroughs) but at the same time it’s easy to feel how familiar they feel.

Really enjoyed this.

Really enjoyed this.

6.5/10

This from 1959, I know very little about Ray Charles, so it’s good to give this a spin. I did not know he was blind. Lovely instrumentation, full big band on here, lots of wind instruments in particular. Must have been amazing at the time but the sound has dated as you would expect 66 years later. I’m not mad on his voice. Ultimately this is too ott showbizzy for me, it’s like it’s been lifted straight out of a film. My favourite parts are the calmer instrumental sections. Towards the end of the LP the songs mellow out which I prefer. I appreciate the legacy of Ray Charles but have to vote on what this sounds like to me at this point in time. Also all of these songs are about love which is a bit much given he had 12 children by 10 mothers or maybe not.

Don't like his genre.

If this isn’t some sort of greatest hits album assembled by Columbia Records or something, I find it hilarious that Ray Charles would name one of his own records, “The Genius of Ray Charles”. But, for real, this is a pretty solid record. It’s kind of just mood music for me, but it’s really enjoyable. Like, it’s tough to not feel relaxed while listening to it. It’s not something I’d throw on every day, but it’s great for a relaxing night in the study with a pipe and glass of scotch or something. 4/5

How do you not like anything this fella has ever done? And heck, he was still in his 20s when this was recorded!

Bombastic and schmaltzy The Genius of Ray Charles is short on genius and long on undistinguished often way too loud big band/swing arrangements that say little but says it loud AF seemingly as a sort of disguise for how second rate the messy production is. So, what's good? Not much. When Charles just plays his piano and sings things are good sometimes very good, but the bloody production always rears its big loud ugly head and every time the production is confused on how best to handle a powerhouse like Charles it simply gets LOUD convinced that LOUD equals powerful & impactful when in this case it never does and nothing on The Genius of Ray Charles rarely goes above serviceable even the string of ballads that end the album are victims of too many cooks in the kitchen each one more inept than the other. Ray Charles has a great voice & is a skilled soulful piano player but if this is your introduction to Mr. Charles- well good luck hearing either among the schlock production. I would like to take a moment to thank the assholes at Atlantic Records for the booming headache I now have. To Robert Dimery. You could have thrown us a crumb and included the vastly superior Ray Charles album 'Live at Newport' a record that easily rates 5/5.

Makes me smile rather but doesn't quite excite. A harsh 3

Highlight songs: Let the Good Times Roll Alexander's Ragtime Band Deed I Do Just for a Thrill Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin'

Oh fuck me up ray

ray charles is not the same as stevie wonder

Enjoyed that. Terrible recording (typical of the period) and I'll need to find a less revealing amp and headphone combination for next time I listen to it, but there will be a next time. 4/5.

Big band vibes and Charles’ voice. Gotta love it! 4/5

The Good: We are in the company of genius… The Bad: We don’t know why… The Ugly: Well, I guess you could say that this is, yet again, an album title referring to the artist, which isn’t genius A little swing, plenty of big band, some great classics… it's an excellent album. Yet, I can’t get myself to grade this higher than a 3* Not that there aren’t plenty of reasons to give this album 4-5*, however, not today. I would rather listen to his other album on this list and if not, just find an excellent playlist with all his greatest hits. Sorry Ray, but this album is not genius...

Me ha encantado. Hay momentos de rock and roll o lo que yo percibo así que me han recordado a Elvis.

Oh wow. I get it now, how Ray Charles could be such a beloved artist. He is masterful and soulful and commanding, while being subdued. Having not listened to much Ray Charles before, I want to listen to more. The orchestration and vocals behind him are complementary and never overpowering. Such an incredible singer and artist. Genius of Ray Charles, indeed!

Welcome to Jazz Club. Niiiice. 👌

it’s inoffensive

This was perfectly fine. It’s fantastic for what it is, just didn’t resonate with me too much. It certainly wasn’t shit, just isn’t for me.

Rad album. Never listened to a Ray Charles album before. Love that classic sound and really love the production. The drums always sound so good on these old recordings.

Some interesting tracks but generally quite samey throughout and didn't really grab me. Definitely has a place for a certain mood though and some obviously great musicianship throughout.

It swings, baby. Felt too short! I could have listened to Ray for another hour.

4.5 I’m a simple man it turns out. I get one of these albums that just features one of the greatest voices of all time singing the heck outta some songs, and I’m happy.

Smooth jazz Strong trumpets Great album sound

is this really him at his best? Maybe it wasn’t the title he would have chosen. Great voice. Talented and influential.

Good, but I feel like this doesn't pack a punch as strong as some of his other stuff.

Jävligt trevlig.musik faktiskt. Jag gillade skivan rakt igenom. Kan dessutom se mig lyssna på mer, det är förstås ett mycket gott betyg. Kul!

Musik som får en att känna, oklart varför. Blir både glad och ibland lite sorgsen. Bra skit.

The Genius Of Ray Charles is certainly a really good album. It doesn't have a single mention of country music in it's title so that means i can't sue the people who worked on this album (the ones that are even alive, that is) for deception and false advertising. Jokes aside, i really enjoyed a lot of the music on offer here. They all have that nice orchestral sound that i would come to expect from Ray Charles as well as a lot of his contemporaries from the time. I also enjoyed Charles' vocals and songwriting as they fit the album very well. The album also went on at the perfect length too. I think that this is a great jazz album and i would put it above his later album on this list. Best Song: You Won't Let Me Go Worst Song: Alexander's Ragtime Band

Incrível

Charles' performances on this album of pop, jazz and blues standards are exceptional, even when he's up against ill-chosen material ("Alexander's Ragtime Band", really why?). Competing against him on the first half of this record are the overbearing and corny big band arrangements, the stiffness of which runs directly counter to the natural ease of Charles' voice. The effect is jarring to the point of distraction. Side two is a vast improvement in that the blare of trumpets and trombones is replaced by strings and backup singers, allowing the intimacy of Charles' vocals (and his piano playing) to actually be heard. The beauty of side two's tracks is they have a timeless feel to them, whereas side one's cuts are now unlistenably dated.

Wow, 1959!? I didn't realize he started so early. I'm really loving this sound. It's a bit like Sinatra or some of those other big band names but with more soul. Digging the jazziness to it too. Loving it thus far. 4 stars

Standard easy listening fare. Not what I would really come to think of when listening to Ray Charles. 2.5/5

*1959. *Pretty wild to call an album "The Genius of [your name]", but it's warranted. *This was interesting because yesterday's album was also big band style (Count Basie & His Orchestra), and this was infinitely better. *Really good and fun to listen to. Would happily listen if someone else were playing it, but wouldn't flip it on myself. RATING - 6.5/10

He has a great voice, and I enjoyed side one quite a lot, but I found the tempo of side two less compelling.

• 3/5 • Like how the selections highlight his voice • Much prefer his rock/R&B work to the swing and orchestral pieces on this album

Genius is the correct word.

I love the blues

Incredible nice listen, what can i say? Good tunes mannn

It's Ray Charles. He's a genius

Ray Charles and a big band is a winning combination.

Happy und Blues. Perfekt für die Weihnachtszeit

Enjoyable, but sounds like background cafe music.

Especially let the good times roll was good, there were other bangers too

Never really explored his music. I expected this to be good, but wow - what a voice and orchestration. Fantastic songs!

I would think that an album titled The Genius of Ray Charles would include original songs by Ray Charles. Instead, we are treated to The Karaoke of Ray Charles. Do not get me wrong, Ray Charles is really, really good at karaoke. However, an album like this feels like a purely commercial endeavor to sell music to the elderly.

A pleasant enough listen. It makes me think of my father in law, who liked his jazz and big bands. It's not my go to type of music, but you have to appreciate the drama and musicality of it all. Let The Good Times Roll had me tapping my feet and Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying was another great production. I doubt I'll listen to the album again though.

Nice

This album feels like what a beautiful Sunday morning should be.

Second half smoothed me over.

The master at work.

Lovely, just lovely stuff.

Genius Indeed.

Det var fint nok til at bryde stilhed med, men ikke noget som er et aktivt lyt værdigt.

Hvis Ray Charles er et geni, er det godt nok ikke det her album der overbeviser mig om det. Herregud manden har da en flot karismatisk stemme. Men den spildes på en omgang jævnt kedelige Big Band numre og klaverballader.

What kind of name is that? The "Genius"??? And then they drown him out with brass bands and string orchestras?

Man I do love Ray Charles so much. But I have to admit that this early stage of music partially does lack in power, while it is still a blueprint for so much great art down the following decades

a little too "easy listening" for my tastes, but nonetheless a solid album 5/7

Fireeeeee I love a trumpet yesssir this is my jam

Classic jazz record, nothing to be said about Ray Charles that hasn’t been said already.

Classic Ray Charles, always high marks for this legend

Good example of a great songwriter singer, player and bandleader

yes mate!

I love the blues

One of the best voices in recorded music history. But these songs just didn't do it for me. Where's Georgia On My Mind, Drown In My Own Tears, What I'd Say, Night and Day, Hit The Road Jack, I've Got A Woman, Here We Go Again. Love Ray Charles, but he's only got one other album on this list and none of his best songs are represented.

6/10 Bit of a funny one this. I really enjoyed my time with it, but I also don’t feel like any of it was particularly memorable. There’s not really anything in the way of a hook or melody that’s really stuck with me after listening through a few times, and it all felt like a bit of a vibe wash, rather than an engaging collection of songs. Looking at the two sides of the record, each side was very much of a type, and it did feel like one song just sort of ran into another without a vast amount of change happening, like these we’re all songs written to guidelines rather than anything more personal. It almost felt like you could drop the needle anywhere on the side and it wouldn’t be appreciably different from anywhere else. His voice is fantastic, and there is some really great playing here, with some of the little solos and bits of flair, often from his piano playing on side two, which did provide some standout moments here and there. On the flip side, the recording was not great. I kind of got over it after the first couple of tracks, but every now and then something would clip and I’d kind of wince a little at it, which did hamper my enjoyment a little. Overall, while this was a very pleasant musical world I was happy to inhabit for 40 minutes, and I did enjoy it as mood music, I don’t really feel like any of it really got its hooks into me and is likely to stick with me now that the album has ended. For me, I much prefer his more driven, up-tempo work and I’m more likely to spin that than come back to this any time soon. Let The Good Times Roll - Great swing. I love the freedom that he sings with. It flips between creamy smooth and gritty at will and it’s so good. The recording is a bit of a letdown as this would be really good to hear without the distortion, but it’s a quality start otherwise. It Had To Be You - Leaning more on the smooth side of things now. There’s some really nice, subtle piano playing in here that just seems so easy and cool. It’s just butter for the ears. Alexander's Ragtime Band - This is a bit more bombastic, which is a bit more affected by the audio fidelity. There are some fantastic moments in this, but I don’t find it to be the most interesting of compositions. It’s a decent, enjoyable listen, and there are some really cool little solo bits, but it also doesn’t feel vastly memorable. Two Years Of Torture - Some more quality vocal work here, along side some quality soloing from the sax. It’s just cool. This is all vibe and that smoky jazz club vibe is always a good thing. When Your Lover Has Gone - More laid back, buttery goodness. The dynamic is great. Some lovely, chilled and subtle bits that are punctuated with the big band blasts. Deed I Do - His vocal here is so good. Some of the work is so subtle that it’s almost not noticeable, but that dynamic control he has and the little bits of vocal fry are just glorious. This is just a warm blend of quality playing and singing. Lovely stuff. Just For A Thrill - A flip to the second side and the big band has been given the boot in favour of a string section. Again, this is lovely. Beautiful piano playing in the second half and things just swing along nicely. You Won't Let Me Go - More solid work, particularly in the vocal department. He drops to some great deep tones in places here that are so good. I’m glad the piano is getting a bit more of a workout on this second side. Tell Me You'll Wait For Me - There’s a lazy quality to this. Super smooth and laid back. It’s a bit too Disney, but there are little bits of flair in the piano that really pop. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Cryin' - Ah, this is great. There’s just something a bit more engaging about the composition here for me. It’s still a bit Disney, but the way all of the instruments work with his vocal makes things gel better. Am I Blue - It’s still good, but it could also just be the previous track, there’s not really much to differentiate things at this point. It’s a very nice experience, but I doubt I’ll be singing any of these songs this evening. Come Rain Or Come Shine - Some really nice vocal and piano playing again here. It’s all lovely, and everything, but it also just blends in with everything else here, if I’m being brutally honest.

La música de los años 50 nos queda tan lejana que solo reparamos en ella cuando la escuchamos de fondo en una película y quizás reparamos en alguna pieza clásica. No nos damos cuenta que de allí viene casi todo lo demás. De todos los estilos que se pusieron de moda en aquel tiempo, el swing es el que siempre me ha emocionado más, y si va acompañado del sonido de una big band ya me enamora. Este disco tiene un primera parte de ese estilo y una segunda parte llena de baladas con arreglos de , otro rollo. Sea como fuere, el hilo conductor es la magnífica calidad interpretativa del monstruo de la música que es Ray Charles. Un maestro que hay que revistar de vez en cuando.

I just love big band

I remember a few years ago listening to both this and 'Modern Sounds In Country & Western' as preparation before watching the Ray Charles biopic. I'd figured, hey, may as well get a taste of some of his greatest works before diving into his story, huh? Or at least the "musician biopic" version of his story, anyway. Regardless, what I did was revolutionary, I know. And I can tell you for a fact: 'The Genius Of Ray Charles' did **not** stick with me after the biopic. Didn't really stick with me. Heck, halfway through, I was kind of bored of it. Meanwhile, 'Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music', on the other side of things? Oh, absolutely, that stuck with me. It was one of my most listened to albums that month — and for sure, it's a love that's continued to this day. I do **not** listen to it as much as I used to, but I raved about it to the best of my ability back when my group got it. But what **was it** about 'The Genius Of Ray Charles', anyway? Why did it not inspire me in the same way that 'Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music' did? I think it all comes down to the way this album is presented. It aims to show off Ray Charles in two distinct ways: one, as a big band jazz man; and the other, as a balladeer backed by strings. Thus, somewhere in the middle of these two sides, you find the genius. And it is **determined** for you to understand these sides of him as thoroughly as you can — that's why these two styles are separated by sides. One half is all big band, one half is all strings, and never the two shall meet. It's certainly an angle of presentation I can understand — 'The Beach Boys Today!' did a similar sort of thing — but I don't know if it necessarily works to this album's advantage. Let's keep using 'The Beach Boys Today!' as an example. That album separates the upbeat, simpler songs and the slower, more complex songs onto different sides of the record. But neither side feels like it's wearing out its welcome. Each song sounds so unique to each other, and has so much going on under the hood, you're always engaged. I have no problem with **its** stylistic segregation. Meanwhile, with 'The Genius Of Ray Charles'... Well, Ray's clearly a genius in a different way than Brian Wilson was. Brian pulled out a lot of complex musical compositions, even on the simple girls n' surf songs. Ray's genius, meanwhile, clearly lies more in his arrangements — how lush and beautiful the strings are, or how upbeat and punchy the horns are. You add his voice and his piano playing on top of that, and you've got a hell of a combo. But I don't think any of it is as musically complex or as varied as Brian's work, and that's where I think the issue in this presentation arises. For as much as I love Ray Charles, and as much as I do admire his work, and as much as, again, I **get** what this tracklisting was going for, I gotta be real: these songs can kind of blend together a little. And not in a way like how the songs on side 2 of 'The Beach Boys Today!' flowed together, no; they just kind of make you wonder what makes **this** big band song different from **this other** bang band song. What really makes 'Modern Sounds In Country And Western' work as well as it does, besides any commentary about a black artist doing country music, is that it **mixes the styles together**. You get some big band here, some strings there... And you never tire of one sound too quickly. That's why 'Modern Sounds In Country And Western' stuck with me over 'The Genius Of Ray Charles'. Ahh... But still... It **is** Ray Charles. You can't knock his voice, even if it's not as good here as on 'Modern Sounds In Country And Western'. And having a better understanding of this record's presentation, and taking a break between sides instead of playing it all at once like I did back then... Yeah. It does play a **lot** better. And no matter what, like I said, Ray Charles **is** a genius. Maybe the stylistic segregation dun' did him a bit wrong... But the fact remains true, no matter what. And this is still easily a record to check out if you wanna understand why. Certainly it's better than the biopic was, anyway. Seriously, all I remember about that movie is Jamie Foxx launching himself over a table at a guy... And that's it. Funny moment, for sure, but don't speak too well on the quality of the film. I mean, you speak about something that needed some genius, goodness...

Dude, I love Jamie Foxx. But seriously, this is some good stuff. 4.5 bumped down to 4.

I’m at a 5. It’s not as consistently dazzling as “Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music” (and honestly, I’m not sure there’s a track here that quite hits the highs of that album), but it’s a damn fine album regardless. Ray’s voice doesn’t quite maintain the same level of charisma, the band’s not as sharp (& the split between big band / strings for each half feels a little disconnected), and it just doesn’t feel as tightly knit as it could be. Regardless, I think the music & the vibe speak for itself here. These aren’t bombastic takes on country songs, these are dinner / nightclub vibes, with Ray Charles here to regale with his sad tales of lost love & broken hearts. Admittedly, it does start to feel a little stale/same-y by the end of it, but I found myself pretty emotionally in sync for a lot of the album. Since it is sort of a one-note, “let the music speak for itself” kind of album, I’m just not sure I have that much to say. I wish it were as good as “Modern Sounds” was, but even if it’s not, it’s still a 5 for my ears. Ray Charles’ lyrics are good, his vocals still carry a suaveness & natural charm even if the charisma isn’t fully there (there’s certainly parts where it shines through), and when the big band is truly rolling in the first half (or the strings in the second half), I think it’s an absolutely lovely listen. I wouldn’t blame anyone for going down to a 4 (or honestly, even finding a sort of “boredom” spot if each style bounces off & going all the way down to a 3). I enjoyed it a lot, though, hence the 5.

Perfect Sunday morning vibes

I enjoyed it till the last third when it seemed a bit too consistently a bit depressed. Great voice.

This is an okay vocal jazz album. Ray's singing is great, but the album feels very dated. I don't like those blaring horns on the first couple of tracks.

This album of mostly swirling, 1940s-style orchestra arrangements is not my favorite style, but Ray Charles just adds magic to everything he graces with that voice and performance.

Quintessential Ray Charles. Big band pop up front, with string ballads in the back. Fun to start and relaxing to end. Great listen.

The 50s might not have known it, but they were the waiting room for the 60s.

Part of the genius of Ray Charles is the way he navigates these songs in a way that feels effortless. So good!

Great big band sound

Heard some of the tracks before, big late-50s pop. I imagine there is a better Charles album out there. 3.5 rounded down Heard before? Yes Owned: No 17/1001, 17/66 (25%) Will I get? No

Not Ray at his most dynamic, but a pleasant listen. There are far more interesting Ray Charles albums to hear before you die.

Rating: 4.8/5 Short Review: It’s not just genius — it’s effortless genius. The kind that makes you think you could pull it off too, until you try and immediately embarrass yourself. Favorite Track: “Come Rain or Come Shine” — a slow-burn torch song that melts you like a wax candle at a speakeasy.

This was just really nice, what a legend.

Overall this was a pleasant listening experience, but I'm not sure there was enough here to grab my attention, let alone keep it. This would be a perfectly good album to have in the background playing at a dinner party, which is a vibe - but not a 4- or 5-star one.

in reading about this album, I wonder if my lack of enjoyment comes from the limitations of my own listening devices in hitting the bass notes that may make the treble wailing of the trumpets much less harsh. it feels, to my ears, like a normal cover album, which I don't associate with a musician as skilled as Ray Charles.

Hard for me to rate as it’s proper 3.5 for me, but I prefer Ray when it’s rougher and less big band. Felt the pace was very similar in the second half. But still good stuff!

Very solid album, great tunes. Big band style, just like my father liked it. That's for you, dad.

with ray charles, you're getting iconic singing, and fantastic musicianship from him and his band. this album is no exception. it's got that classic sound from yesteryear. i just wish i liked the selection of songs better. they're not bad, but i find i tend to like ray charles' stuff when it's more r&b and this is way more standards focused. like i said, it's not bad, just not totally my thing. still, it's a solid listen.

Yeah, it does seem like he was a genius m, another really good album. 4 stars

Ray Charles kicks ass. You can throw a dart at any of his albums and find something worthy of inclusion on the list. Really dig the backing band on this record. The world lost a true musical genius when Ray left. Just brilliant.

Legenda

Like the jazzier songs but find the more big band stuff a bit artificial

Big fan, will add to regular rotation

It’s fine

Very high 4 this one, great tracks throughout. 1959 is the best year for music

Yep...good stuff. Ray Charles did one thing and he did it better than anyone. I never really understood the "Genius" moniker, though. Did he create something entirely new or somehow transform music in a totally unique way? I don't see it (no pun intended). I am open to hearing a differing opinion, though. Plus one half-star for his iconic appearance in one on my favorite movies, "The Blues Brothers".

A good album but just not a great album. Missing the soaring arrangements from his classic album

20.00, himas, sennheiser, qobuz iha ok mut clippas vitusti

Pretty great. Definitely a genius and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. 5 stars.

Genius is right. This album opens perfectly with "Let The Good Times Roll" and just continues its perfection throughout. 5 stars

Great piano, vocals, and lyrics the whole way through. Easy to put on and listen to over dinner or a time to relax

I wonder who named the Ray Charles albums? He debuted in 1957 and this album released in 1959....and was his 7th album. 7 albums in 2 years is a bit ridiculous. I do like the jazzy blues that they have with the big band. There's a huge difference between A Side and B Side since it's big band brass vs strings and i'm a bigger fan of the A Side. B Side is just too slow and too Bluesy for me. I wish Ray's piano was more of a spotlight instead of more of an accompanying piece. Am I Blue? really stands out as a very emotional piece. Ray has a perfect voice for the blues.

8/10 Some of the best songs of the 50s. A bit repetitive to give it a 9/10 in my opinion. Faves: Alexanders ragtime band, Let the good times roll

Solid, though the first track set high expectations it didn’t quite maintain throughout.

Big band jazz.

Eğlenceliydi, kendimi jazz barında viski içiyor gibi hissettim. Biraz gürültülüydü ama dans edilebilitesi vardı. Sakin şarkıları daha çok beğendim. Am I Blue çok tanıdık geldi

Jazzy classics from Ray

1/1001 Would I revisit?: no Rating: 3 Listen before you die: Yes Fav Songs: Let the good time roll- crazy good some but not my style when hanging around This album was impressive, but personally didn't like the jazz like style for day to day life

That was unmemorable.

Sounds like the end of pink panther episodes. Very nice smooth jazz. Excellent brass licks and stabs.

How can you not like Ray Charles?

9.3

I never gave this kind of music much of a chance, I listened to the album twice, and I really like it. The music is so interesting and full, without the words it’s written well enough to convey emotions so strongly, and when we add the lyrics back in, it only makes it stronger. I have heard versions of It Had To Be You before, I do love that song and his version was just as beautiful. I enjoyed the second half of the album more than the first. Reflective and wishful music. You Won’t Let Me Go, Tell Me You’ll Wait For Me, I really enjoyed those both. And the songs that came after just continued those same feelings. If you are looking to get into your feelings, this album is very good for that!

I never gave this kind of music much of a chance, I listened to the album twice, and I really like it. The music is so interesting and full, without the words it’s written well enough to convey emotions so strongly, and when we add the lyrics back in, it only makes it stronger. I have heard versions of It Had To Be You before, I do love that song and his version was just as beautiful. I enjoyed the second half of the album more than the first. Reflective and wishful music. You Won’t Let Me Go, Tell Me You’ll Wait For Me, I really enjoyed those both. And the songs that came after just continued those same feelings. If you are looking to get into your feelings, this album is very good for that!

This is odd - listening to an album that my parents danced to when they first met! This my not preferred style of music, but a great energy and passion shines through on these tracks In 1959 there were not many options for post-production editing, so I'm imaging this is pretty close to a live performance for Ray and the band Music from a bygone era - it evokes images of a pianist in a corner of a high end hotel bar

Great album, almost a 5! Lost its way a little as the album went on.

7/10… soul / big band / jazzy

I like Stevie Wonder’s experimental stuff, but I far prefer Ray Charles. Also, kinda weird that they threw the two blind black piano players back-to-back…

Digging the big band sound in that first half & then what, they all fell asleep?

2 1/2. Didn’t totally hate it but I’ll never be excited to hear anything from it

Some good big band stuff!

realmente, ray charles era um genio bom d+

bão demais esse aqui tem muito o que falar não. ray charles mandava muito. cabuloso.

Not bad. Surprised by the sound quality from 1959 but inwasnt blown away musically.

I mean, it’s Ray Charles. Genius is a pretty appropriate label. Two Years of Torture, Come Rain or Come Shine, and Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying were the standouts. 7/10, 4 stars.

What a beautiful, gentle album. "Alexander's Ragtime Band" was one of my voice lesson songs. I never knew it was a Ray Charles song!! This album is aptly named, "The Genius..." because it really is.

Love it!!!

A bit too gentle

Pretty good. Excellent music all around.

Never listened to him before. It's good but not the type of music I'd likely come back to often.

I only know a few of his tunes, and I was expecting something with more energy. 6/10

An absolute big band banger

Its a good Ray Charles album, you know what you're getting. I think everybody in their life should listen to... Half a Ray Charles album. A boogie song, a blues song, a romantic song and one other of your choice. Anything after that is extra credit

Listening to Ray is like putting on an old pair of really comfortable slippers. Just as smooth as it gets.

Spoilers: for this listening note you will see many jokes based on puns related to looking and seeing. visually impaired people may not find it (or *see* it) funny so i apologize in advance. like how i approached Innervision, i entered this *blindly*. as always, i tried to keep my *eyes* sharp on judging albums, but also to keep an open mind since i havent *seen* anything. it *seems* that this album is not something that i would actively find and listen to as far as i have *seen* because of the blues-adjucent music present in the first half and the jazz adjecent thing in the second half. but its decent though, really make me *see* things from a different light. 4/5

I really didn't care for the first half but the second half had some great ballads

Ray Charles is obviously an amazing musician but unfortunately he’s not what I’m looking for as an artist. Huge respect and admiration tho

Beautiful and moving. I was not familiar with your game, Ray.

Only Ray Charles can call his album "The Genius of Ray Charles" Yeah, he is absolutely right Need to listen to it at least once more to fully appreciate it

A delightful and longing collection

Amazing songs, and amazing sound production for a 66 year old album! Loved it!

Smooth mood

I feel my rating’s going to feel a little harsh, so let me explain. I think Ray Charles was a wonderful singer. Compared to other singers around his time, he’s one of the few that feels distinct and timeless. It’s just that I think there’s a lot of big band on here. Actually, my biggest gripe with the “oldies” is that most of it was big band and most of it sounded the same. It makes albums like this a chore, which sucks because most times, like with Ray here, the material’s pretty good. But after halfway, it feels like the same song over and over again. The blasting trumpets, the saxophones, the fact every song is a love song (or a breakup song for variety). I know this is turning into an “old music bad” kind of rant, but it felt like everyone was just chasing Sinatra. It’s not your fault Ray. I just like your blues stuff better. Favorite track: Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Cryin’ Other hits: It Had To Be You, Deed I Do, Tell Me You’ll Wait For Me, Am I Blue, Just For A Thrill, You Won’t Let Me Go

L’ego du gars Mais c’est sympa très cool en vrai

Pretty neat, this is one of the records that flows so well and is so easy to listen to I can’t find much to say

Good in parts but can sound a bit similar over the length of it 3.5*

Swing along with this masterpiece! Ray Charles's genius lies in his ability to sing big band songs and string-backed ballads.Beautiful big band energetic arrangements along with nostalgic,dreamy string ones!What can go wrong?Jazzy magic.I give it a 4/5 cause i'm not really into jazz(yet).

oh wow I really like this, it's fun old school jazz soul he has an amazing voice and the songs are upbeat and fun with great instrumentation

fantastic

Good classic stuff. I'm just gonna say it, and I might be the first one: this guy is a genius. I like when George O. Gore II plays him in Dance Flick.

feel like i woulda liked this better if Jamie Foxx did the singing

Crazy awesome production and the horn lines are wild! Makes ya want to bust a move

1959! Wow. Very pleasant listening. Much of what came after him sounds similar, even was reminded of Amy Winehouse and the like at times. Brilliant.

Awesome

Maybe it's a fine album, but not for me.

great, makes you move, really nice

I liked the album. I liked that it seemed different between each side.

Although uncountable accountments of great music could be attributed to the great Ray Charles - adding the legacy he carries as a figure in music history - this album doesnt carry that accoutrement of excellence and essence that I generally distinct with a figure such as him. It is not a bad album, and actually really gains traction de closer to the final tracks it gets, but it feels like a compilations more than a project in itself. 3.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐1/2

I can always listen to ray

Let the good times roll: 4 It had to be you: 5 Alexander’s ragtime band: 6, I mean Two years of torture: 4 When your lover has gone: 3 Deed I do: 4 Just for a thrill: 4 You won’t let me go: 4 Tell me you’ll wait for me: 4 Don’t let the sun catch you cryin: 4 Am I blue: 3 Come rain or shine: 5 Really missed out by working while listening to this instead of playing any fallout game.

Good times, fairly standard of what you’d expect

Great album!

Pretty good from Ray, not as great as his other work. I enjoyed this.

Big band supper club album

Keepin it classy

De bonnes chansons pour le plupart déjà entendues en fond dans des films, séries, pubs, etc. Bons musiciens, bonnes compositions mais ce n'est pas mon style.

Smooth and relaxing to listen to. Ray Charles was certainly a pioneer.

I like his voice but I get the book's comments on how what made this a commercial succes is a pulling at the strings of the mainstream. So the subject matter of the songs is rather safe. This is still very much worth a listen. I watched a sunset from a train to this after a particularly strange weekend. And it felt like a simple pleasure.

3.5

great

Tällaisessa on vaan niin paljon sielua, ääntä jota on mielekästä kuunnella

So smooth, how was he doing this in the 50s?? Also I love jazz 7.5/10

Way jazzier than I expected. Think Frank Sinatra

Good, great voice decent songs

Absolute genius.

Good big band style stuff for the era but it all kind of sounds the same for me.

This album is great. Ray Charles’s music is so cool. For a long time this was an album I could put on with company over and be pretty sure it would land with everyone. It’s not quite perfect, but pretty damn good.

A younger Ray before he developed that deep gravelly voice in his later years. Still good stuff.

Smooth as all goodness

Superb!

What an amazing piece of work. Quality and timeless. A true gem!

Super Dope

I enjoyed it but it felt like a collection of songs. Would pull this out again on date night but probably not for much else.

Great album

Such a lovely morning vibe

More like "The Atomic Mr. Basie" from a week ago than I think most would expect from a Ray Charles album. This does indicate his range and clear intention to fuse all the music he was exposed to as he rose to stardom. I got tired of the blaring horn section, but still a good slice of Americana.

Still struggle with the big band stuff, but mostly enjoyed this. Decent kitchen music. Bold title.

Ray Charles has like 6 albums referencing the fact that he’s a genius in the title. I think he’s trying to will it into existence. I don’t think he’s a genius. I think he’s pretty good.

Some fun tracks in here. The big band stuff kept my attention, but the ballads were a better showcase of Rays voice. His rhythm in Let The Good Times Roll was awesome.

Wild album title. Thinking how funny it would be for any modern band to try that - “The Genius of Sugar Ray”. Was it just way more acceptable to be a big showboater back then? I think most of this songs would be a lot better without the string arrangements. I want to hear the piano, horns, and Ray’s (genius) voice. I like the rare moments when the backing back and Ray let loose a little - “Deed I Do” is my favorite for this. I think Ray has a bit of genius in him, but I am not sure this album is the best example of it.

I feel as thought I 'appreciate' Ray Charles more thank I 'like' him. He's an important musical figure, but this is not really my kind of music. And since my ratings as based on 'do I like this,' it gets a low rating.

This is iconic stuff, it sounds like music that other things are trying to be for years afterward, if that makes any sense. Smooth, impeccable vibes. It's not a bullseye for my personal taste, but it's hard to think of anything bad to say about it.

A couple songs in I wasn’t really feeling it. I love soul but not the big symphony upbeat soul if yk what I mean. But gradually the album got sadder and more chilled out. I absolutely loved this idea turning you from happy and dancy to in your feels. Now I do have to discredit the upbeat songs still not being my favourite but cmon I can somewhat get into it. My favourite songs were Am I Blue and Just for a Thrill. Overall great album and would listen again so I’m feeling a calm 8.2/10 4.1/5

I enjoy Ray Charles' uptempo numbers a bit more than the ballads. So it's a hit and miss album for me, and I'm not quite sure how this qualifies for this list AS AN ALBUM rather than an okay selection of songs.

Genius is right!

I can tell what this album is going to be like from the first note. I don't normally like blues or whatever this is, but I'll try it. I didn't end up listening to this whole album because I got the point. I didn't hate it, but I don't think I'd want to listen to this again. The instruments were pretty cool, but it was very slow, and because I don't listen to this genre(jazz/blues I think, I don't really know the difference), most of the songs sounded the same. It has a nice sound, I just don't want to hear forty minutes of it. I do like the lettering on the cover though. 3.5/10

Ray Charles position in the pantheon is without question. However this is a real grind to listen to. Low in the mix sometimes with timing issues. Other collections of ray are better.

Ray til I die.

I thought the early songs were upbeat and energetic and fun and the slower songs were just beautiful and really gave the space to show off his voice. Struggled to pic a favourite as I think it would be so mood dependent whether I would prefer a slower or more upbeat song. Not sure when I would reach for this as an album though as I think if you’re in the mood for one part you’re probably not in the mood for the other. Fav song: Let the Good Times Roll - also liked Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying Least fav: Tell Me You’ll Wait for Me

Quite enjoyed this album. The backing music reminded me of the incredibles. Love that. Not a huge fan of the slower ones Specific rating - 4.1 Fav song- Alexander’s ragtime band Least fav- tell me you’ll wait for me

Think I like the slower songs more- can really appreciate his voice and the jazzy vibe of the first half isn't really my thing. It's a bit odd to me to have such distinct halves of the album (probably did feel more understandable when they were different sides of a record). Favourite song: Am I Blue? Least: Let the Good Times Roll

Obviously classic although I prefer Ray without big band style backing

Some nice stuff on here, timeless but can’t get too excited about it personally

Madness that this is nearly 70 years old and holds up really well

Amazing!

Veldig deilig

I enjoyed the big band sound but I found the album became a bit too monotonous for me.

But how can he hear the music if he's blind...?

Great, but some songs get boring at the end

More crooner-y than expected. It was fine but won’t go back to it.

This was a good album.

Old school big band rhythm and blues. What a time! Oozing with musical inspiration.

Fantastic mix with a big band sound.

The boss!

Don't like it as much as Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, which is fucking astonishingly good, but I listened to it four times in a row, so it must be pretty damn good too.

Lovely orchestral arrangements and a beautiful soulful voice. Not every track fully grabbed me, and it erred towards schmaltzy in places, but still a fun listen. A low 4.

Real humble album title

Ah... the 50's... There's a feeling of nostalgia and glamour that music from that decade exales. Ray Charles was indeed a genius.

3/5

he really was goated

'hit the road jack' guy. the genius, your grandpa listened to it jak nie ma za duzo instrumentow dmuchanych to ladne

it was raining and grey this morning which definitely made this a good listen, very good vibes

Imagina ter ouvido esse na época em que foi lançado? 🤯🤯🤯

Such a nice playlist, this might be my new study playlist! Though none of the songs would be something I would listen to regularly so none of them will be added to my new playlist. Great jazzy instrumental! The saxophone and piano...wow!!

I just understood what music is supposed to be. The kind of music that makes me want to share it with everyone I know AND everyone I don't.

scho uuu viel glost. let the good times roll isch soo geil. arrangement vom quincy, sini stimm. it had to be you au fantastisch. es tönt halt alles so wie e sehr gueti big band söll töne. d blöser tätsched, d drums swinged, dynamik stimmt. two years of torture soo geil wiener plötzlich ine tüfers register goht. when your lover has gone wieder viel intimer, blöser so fiin soo cool. die zweit hälfti isch mit striicher hä. ah und wunderschöne backing vocals. you won't let me go findi gad fantastisch. die "aaaaah"s. huii und er spielt scho saugeil klavier. schluss vo am i blue isch fantaastisch schön. hm ich glaub s lauft uf es starchs vieri oder es füfi use. s einzig wo mich vomne füfi abhaltet isch dass etz nöd die allerbeste ray charles songs do druff sind. aber denn binen mit sich selber am vergliche well en bessere big band sound oder traditional pop sound findsch susch nienets.

RAAAAY let the good times roll schomal en banger vill liebeslieder, surprise!! aso d big band lieder hemmer sehr gfalle, wenn au mengisch chli langsam, jz chömmed d ballade! jaa han bis jz nöd vill meh z sege ussert "schön aber au chli langwilig", s klavier findi uuhuere schön han leider chli meh erwartet, es knapps 4i? d ballade simmer chli z langsam und ah let the good times roll chunnt nüt anne

Beautifully recorded. Undeniable greatness. Smooth and easy listening.

I listened to this on the train and I really liked it, very chill and interesting sound and the songs had enough variation where it wasn't purely boring. Made me want to look into more of his music.

This is such a feel good exhilarating album

Very good for its time, let the good times roll definitely the best upbeat song, am I blue best melancholic song.

Just when you start getting tired of all the loud brass he breaks out the mellow piano ballads. Genius.

Listens: 2 Standout Tracks: Let The Good Times Roll, Alexander's Ragtime Band I listened to this album twice. Really nothing stood out to me. It's not like Ray Charles isn't talented. I just wasn't enjoying it; Not my type of music. I preferred the first half of the album; the big-band stuff, and the ragtime style.

A bit too crooner-y for my tastes, personally. It's alright, but I like him a lot better on Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music.

That Ray Charles is a genius - no doubt. The 50s production on this album - not so much. I did like it, but all the strings and full choir backing vocals were just a bit too schmaltzy for my ears. They can work well in small doses, but a full album worth is far too much. To his credit, Charles does elevate the songs above the typical album of the era, but that only gets it so far.

C'mon now ... it's Ray Charles!

It’s hard to find fault here. Classic R&B, soul, rock and roll with gospel vocals. I can’t say that this album has changed my view of anything or that it will be something that I return to often, but it is good stuff and I can see why many people could find a passion for this.

Really great album. I think viewing from a modern lens the more mellow songs in the second half stand the test of time more. Highlights were Let The Good Times Roll, Tell Me You’ll Wait For Me, Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Cryin’, and Come Rain Or Come Shine.

delightful! big fan of Alexander’s ragtime band <3 big band jazz isnt usually my main thing but ray charles is really good so this was fun

This is a bit big band for my tastes but it has a really good swing along energy.

This was a solid album listen for me! I’m not sure if I’ve ever listened to a Ray Charles album in full before but I had a great time doing so! This album was full of soul, jazz, and blues vibes. I would listen to this again depending on my mood!

Got me coming over all romantic, heartbroken, and I may have let the sun catch me cryin'... Well recommended, just for a thrill... ;)

2/2 with albums absolutely filtering me today

Due to years of playing Fallout, I am a sucker cold war big band.

RIP Ray Charles you would’ve loved Op Ivy

Didn't have a chance to really digest this one, but I did give it a listen. The big band songs are so bright and lively, really steeped in infectious joy, and the balladry is earnest and sweet. This is just incredibly pleasant, Ray Charles is a fantastic presence, whether crooning or providing some real energy, and the band here really knows what they're doing. I enjoyed this a lot, even though it was kind of a blur, and I'd say I am feeling a 4.

#1 - This album was a pleasant surprise since it was different to what I've listened to in the past however it was great. It felt like I'd stepped back in time

Can’t fault Ray Charles.

Wasn't in the mood for the album, but reluctantly started to listen, and was pleasantly surprised. The opener wasn't my cup of tea, but the rest really was able to sway my mood. What more can you expect? 4/5

The album is aptly named

One of the greatest to ever do it. Side one is hirns and side 2 is strings. Big band and orchestra. Vintage.

Typ hela genren låter likadan men det var vibe

To put it nicely…it was the most relaxing and car ride to work I’ve had in a long time. Never was really familiar with Ray Charles except for his famous songs and the amount of times he’s been sampled but man….incredible record. Absolutely incredible. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

And a genius he was! What a great album.

So, 1959 rolls around, and someone at Atlantic Records decides, "You know what? Let's just call this album The Genius of Ray Charles. No pressure, Ray, just live up to that title." And what do you know? The man actually does. The nerve of him... And it's almost offensive in its brilliance. Look, if you're not into groundbreaking, genre-defining music that will make you feel things you didn't even know you could feel, then sure, give The Genius of Ray Charles a miss. But if you are, just be warned that it might make all your other music sound a bit… less genius. Don't say I didn't warn you.

I really wanted to give this a 4, but it just didn’t do it for me. Maybe a victim of its age, but I enjoyed Ella Fitzgerald a lot more - and that was three hours’ worth.

The second half of the album was pretty good. The first was just jazzy high notes on repeat. Pretty annoying.

I really wanted this to be better. I didn’t not enjoy it but it all seemed to lack anything different and all seemed a bit same. I don’t know if that means the musical range of ray charles needs calling into question but it wasn’t as genius as I was hoping

Brilliant musician, but the constant rain and sun metaphors make the lyrical skies feel a bit overcast.

Smooth, but probably not something I would go back and listen to regularly.