Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music

When I was much younger, I remember encountering an album entitled "The Shape of Punk to Come" by Refused and thinking, "Boy, they sure think a lot of themselves. That might be the ballsiest album title I've ever heard." Well, it turns out Ray Charles beat them to it. A black man in '62 claiming he's got the key to modern Country & Western was all balls. He backs it up with this album, though. It's real damn good. It's clearly country but also clearly not. The combination of styles coupled with his clear appreciation for the source material make it really hard to deny how damn good the album is. I mean, I don't even like country and I'm digging this record. I can see why it has been hailed as not just a great album but for breaking down racial walls in the music industry.

Damn awesome execution of this idea. Ray Charles voice is timeless, and though some of the strings and background vocals are a bit overdone, the blues approach to country/western is very cool.

The incredible thing about this album is the fact that you cannot tell that these songs were originally country songs. I'm not sure if it's intended, but this album is a testament to the fact that genre is something to be transcended. People often define their musical tastes by genre, and this album subverts that assumption completely. As someone who enjoys country music, jazz, and R&B, this album is a celebration of music period. This album is very deserving of the praise it gets.

Landmark album. It's country, but it's not. It's Soul/Big Band, but it's not. He took White music and made it Black, it's like reverse Elvis. Love it.

I love stuff like this. Always been a big fan of the singers of the 50s and 60s. Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole. This might just be another 5 for me. It gets a little samey, especially in terms of lyrics, after the 1 hour-mark, but the thing is that it's good music so it doesen't really matter.

I get the premise of the album and appreciate its importance to the genre. It's also always a pleasure to listen to Ray Charles. That said, this album is very much of another time and some listeners will find it drags, especially in the middle. The best part about the album is Charles himself. His vocals are perfect as is his piano playing. Unfortunately, the big band horn and string arrangements and old backup vocals feel more than a little dated. I enjoyed the back end of the album best, like from "It Makes No Difference Now" to the end. "Careless Love" and "You Win Again" are flawless and "I Can't Stop Loving You" is a classic. Fave songs: You Win Again, Careless Love, You Don't Know Me

We get these songs produced so slickly, with such stereotypically grand string and horn arrangements, that the connection to the titular country and western music is subtle. I enjoyed the sharing of vocal duties at points. If it weren't for the title and historical context, I wouldn't have picked up on the source of the material until You Are My Sunshine. Charles's voice is the standout stylistic feature as he blends perfectly with the production and delivers the lyrics comfortably.

All very lovely, but I feel quite sick - I'm only 52, not 95 - this is not my bag baby

10/10 Ray Charles is the GOAT it had such a fun, warm sound hearing those songs bring such a calming but happy atmosphere

The upbeat songs make me want to dance, and the slower ones have such an old school Disney vibe between the strings and the choir. Really into this. And the cultural importance of the album truly solidified the 5 for me

So much orchestra. More of this in the world please

Don't enjoy the string and choral arrangements, but his voice and piano and stunning.

Good album, a little slow. Love Rays voice always

Ray can cook along, but this one is more my dad’s speed. There are others in his catalog that I will play before this one makes the rounds.

I think this is the music that plays in heaven. This gets a little repetitive, especially in the middle - but it’s great music and I have no complaints. Best songs: You are my sunshine You don’t know me Careless love Worst songs: Just a little lovin

Wow this one starts off with a kick. Woke me up and got me going! Ray Charles’ take on these Country & Western classics is vibrant, luxuriant and warm. This is life affirming stuff.

This is a Christmas time album for sure. No shame playing this that time of year. Well that was lovely. Really enjoyed how the simplistic themes without coming across as campy or insincere

Ray!!!

Very solid cover album, was surprised by how many country songs sounded great with soul / r&b styling. Only complaint was that it was long, could have used some trimming. 8/10 Favorite songs were: 10. Careless Love 14. No Letter Today 19. Take These Chains From My Heart

Cool to hear another version of "Bye Bye Love" after listening to Bridge Over Troubled Water. "I Love You So Much It Hurts" has beautiful backing vocals and instrumentation. I can picture people boogieing in black and white to "Hey Good Lookin'". Ray's vocals are silky-smooth throughout the whole album. The jazz instrumentation is on point and the strings are a nice touch, this album definitely has a very grand presentation. This isn't really the type of music that I'd seek out but I can't knock it, good stuff.

To be completely honest, I am still struggling to figure out where the country or western was on this album. Maybe I am stupid or maybe country music’s sound has strayed so far I have no idea what it sounded like in the 50s/60s. Regardless, this album was fantastic in my opinion. I loved both the uptempo big band cuts as well as the moodier, laid back ones. The strings and backing vocalists were a nice touch, but Ray Charles has such a powerful voice that he could carry a song even without it. Really felt the emotions in his delivery on some of the more melancholic and slow ballads. Strong 4 Fav Songs: Bye Bye Love Born To Lose I Can’t Stop Loving You Hey, Good Lookin

This is a very good album, great singing and great instrumentation. Ray Charles has a great voice. My two biggest complaints are that it seems like he somehow manages to say "love" in every other sentence, and the slow love ballads (the ones with the sappy string arrangements and choir that sound like Christmas music) all kind of sound the same. 3.5

This is one of those albums on this list where my rating gets influenced by reading more about the album and its history, but even that didn't really change how I felt. Incredibly groundbreaking with a huge variety of genres that shine through in songs. Love the background singers/choruses, especially when they introduce the song with its title, often at the start of the song. Got a little longwinded and repetitive, enough to make this not quite a 5, but the spotify version has more songs than the original album, so not too many points off. Even with the repetitiveness, I rarely got bored Saved: Bye Bye Love, You Don’t Know Me, I Can't Stop Loving You; Oh, Lonesome Me*

Bored the hell out of me, sorry.

Wie stuurt een mailtje naar de maker met een verzoek om een PRtje te openen voor iets van authenticatie en een 10 punten schaal voor recensies? Het is weer moeilijk vandaag. Hoewel ik respecteer wat deze plaat heeft gedaan denk ik dat ik toch de voorkeur geef aan de Ray Charles die soul heeft uitgevonden boven de Ray Charles die country heeft heruitgevonden. De schok van een zwarte artiest, uit het zuiden weliswaar, die Tin Pan Alley uitspeelt en een zelfgenoemde country plaat uitbrengt is niet te onderschatten, en de impact zal ongetwijfeld enorm zijn geweest als ik contemporaine schrijvers mag geloven, maar het beklijft me puur op inhoud niet zo. Er zitten uiteraard wat bangers op, stem sterk, arrangementen prima, dat weet de lezer geheid ook, maar over de volle lengte van een dubbel CD drijf ik toch beetje weg. Kom uit op een 7 met weinig tijd om het opnieuw te luisteren. In een lijst van "Platen Die Je Moet Luisteren TM" maken we er dan maar een 3 van.

Ray Charles is a legend, but I only kind of enjoy this record of his. 3.5 bumped down to 3.

It’s ok. Just a compilay

It's very good for it's genre. I debated giving this 4 stars, but ultimately, too many of the songs have the same sound. This is very close to 4 stars though.

Not sure I'd really call this 'country and western' music but that's a bonus for me really. I mean it's Ray Charles, you know exactly what you're going to get. Fantastic voice on that man. I'm pretty sure he could sing the assembly instructions for an Ikea bookshelf and it would be great. That said, I don't think I can give this more than 3/5 and it's definitely not his best work. It's a good album but this kind of music just doesn't blow me away.

Nr. 156/1001 Bye Bye Love 4/5 You Don't Know Me 3/5 Half As Much 4/5 I Love You So Much It Hurts 3/5 Just A Little Lovin' 4/5 Born to Lose 3/5 Worried Mind 4/5 It Makes No Difference Now 3/5 You Win Again 3/5 Careless Love 4/5 I Can't Stop Lovin' You 3/5 Hey, Good Lookin' 3/5 You Are My Sunshine 3/5 No Letter Today 3/5 Someday 3/5 Don't Tell Me Your Troubles 4/5 Modnight 3/5 Oh, Lonesome Me 3/5 Take These Chains From My Heart 3/5 Your Cheatin' Heart 3/5 I'll Never Stand in Your Way 3/5 Making Believe 3/5 Teardrops in my Heart 3/5 Hang Your Head in Shame 3/5 Average: 3,25 This held up over time pretty well, aside from the female choire. That sounds super dated.

Pretty pleasant overall. Good thing to have in my catalog. Standouts: Bye Bye Love, Worried Mind, I Can't Stop Loving You, Oh, Lonesome Me

03/04/2022 He's an icon for a reason. A bit repetitive towards the end, but that's not a mark on his talent, just the songs in general.

Slow and sleepy

Really not a fan of the strings or the background vocals. But Ray's voice is great.

Not so big on this - I understand reading about it that it has some historical significance, but I can't help feeling that Ray's voice is quite weak on the orchestral backing tracks and the strings / group vocals feel very outdated. Overall it doesn't make a mark, is at most pleasant.

I like Ray Charles, and I like the original versions of many of these songs, but something about this album rubbed me the wrong way. I think it was all of the angelic choral voices that just kind of seemed out of place. Reminded me of the Laurence Welk show. There's better Ray Charles albums out there, so I don't think I'd come back to this one.

I’m not a big love song album guy. Piano was amazing though.

Odd. But not interesting. And to hear him sing "I once was blind, but now I see"...

A historically important record, it's hard to hear the daring that was Ray Charles's 1962 Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music today. And while Bruno Latour might argue we've Never Been Modern, you can't lasso a feeling from the past and guarantee that the years between one modernity and the next won't erase the cultural signs that gave these song selections and arrangements their original oomph. In 2025, I don't need 24 songs — most of them covers of earlier material — no matter how cleverly they've been transformed, transfigured, or translated by Ray Charles to be entertained. And I think there's something to that feeling: it's a specific kind of disconnect. I want to be moved by music, and this record feels like it wants to be entertainment. What popular music was *for* in 1962 is not what music is for, for me, in 2025. For instance, this album includes one of the best versions of "You Are My Sunshine" I've ever heard. It's certainly more sophisticated in its arrangement than any grade- or nursery-school version. And yet, I'm not moved by the material at all. And, this is one of the highlight tracks. There are plenty of other minutes spent waiting for the next "modern sound" to come and go, so this 1 hour, 14 minute "entertainment" experience can finally wrap itself up. Perhaps that's wrong of me to expect more out of music driven by a business model that has always chosen entertainment over art. I'm listening to Ray Charles for his artistry and meaning, but the man is selling a good time.

Didn't enjoy it. To me it seemed like a weird fusion of country and Lawrence Welk with vocals by Ray Charles.

Sounded like a weird fusion of country and Lawrence Welk with vocals by Ray Charles.

Just a covers album of contemporary standards. Background music at a party level but Ray Charles does have a great voice.

Disappointing extortionate white crap, such a shame they strangled his talent to put this out

Heele goeie ochtend giets main chacater

he's at his best when he's rocking out joyfully. his softer, slower songs seem like wistful dirges, always accompanied by treacly strings and a disembodied choir who only seem to echo what he just sang.

Klinkt vanaf de eerste seconde like a million dollars. Big band, drums, achtergrond zang, oh weet je, doe ook maar een heel orkest. Toffe tracks met hele mooi arrangementen. Het enige dat ik kan zeggen is dat de titel en de grootsheid van de productie doet vermoeden dat het een soort beest is geworden dat niet helemaal Ray Charles is. Maar misschien ook een beetje record label / marketingafdeling. Het zijn ook covers natuurlijk. Maar toch 5 sterren.

Wow! Nooit echt in Ray Charles gedoken. Kende al veel hits maar dan gezongen door andere country artiesten door de jaren heen. Deze zijn onderdeel van de traditionals/classics en ik ken vooral uitvoeringen van: You Don’t Know Me, Born to Lose, It Makes No Difference Now (Willie Nelson), I Love You So Much It Hurts, Your Cheating Heart (Patsy Cline, Hank Williams), Hey Good Lookin’, Take These Chains From My Heart (Hank Williams) Niet zeker of we voor vol. 1 én 2 gaan, maar ook 2 is zeer de moeite waard. Nummers die ik niet kende als 'Teardrops In My Heart: Insane. Je hoort en voelt de pijn/sadness. Ik wist niet dat Ray Charles zo kwetsbaar kon klinken in z'n stem. Allemachtig ik smelt. Hetzelfde gaat o.a. op voor 'No Letter Today'. Random ander hoogtepunt: de If I Can Hmmmm's Like a Morning Dove in 'Careless Love' zijn echt enig. De productie, strijker/blazer arrangements klinken allemaal top notch. Uberhaupt zeer fan van de strijkers + koortje + glockenspiel combo. De zachtste drum brushes en contrabass, allemaal even warm en soothing. De meer uptempo songs zijn ook strak en snappy, al niet helemaal mijn ding. 'Hey Good Looking' vind ik toch minder dan de Hank Williams versie, al werkt hij wel prima ook zo swingy. Een beetje hetzelfde effect als Al Green's versie van 'For the Good Times' van Kris Kristofferson. Het werkt prima maar klinkt eigenlijk te funky. (alsof 'te funky' ooit iets negatiefs was) Maar 'I Love You So Much It Hurts' gaat toch wel bijna voorbij aan de Patsy Cline versie waar ik toch al een jaar of 20 zeer verknocht aan ben. Heel vet om deze country songs in een iets ander jasje te horen. Ik kende wel crossovers en dueten met Willie Nelson, (die heeft ook een uitmuntende versie van 'Georgia On My Mind') dus hij was nooit echt ver weg, maar toch vrijwel langs me heen gegaan. 'Georgia' is verreweg het meest bekend van Ray. Tevens niet geschreven door hem. Maar dat is wat deze man wist te doen met nummers van wie dan ook: bedrukken met de onlosmakelijke Ray Charles stempel. Oh ja hij is ook nog eens best aardig op de piano trouwens. "I think Ray Charles did as much as anybody when he did his country music album. Ray Charles broke down borders and showed the similarities between country music and R&B." - Willie Nelson Beste: Teardrops In My Heart, Teardrops In My Heart, Teardrops In My Heart, Teardrops In My Heart, Teardrops In My Heart, Teardrops In My Heart x100 <3 Minste: ? Albumhoes: Banger 5/5

Stunning. Classic. Reimagined the genre. A black man at that time in America singing C&W. Charley Pride, Darius Rucker, et al thank you. As do I, sir!

It's just such a beautiful sound, isn't it? I have spent trying to and procrastinating on writing this review/babble, because... Well, this is one of **those** albums, where I feel such a deep connection to it that it can hardly be expressed in words. Like, there's so much I could say, but nothing would compare to just actually listening to this thing. Jus', these pretty and amazing as hell soul and big band interpretations of country and Western songs. They're all done up so incredibly that if the album wasn't called "MODERN SOUNDS IN COUNTRY AND WESTERN MUSIC," you might not even know that that's what these songs were originally. They've been made uniquely Ray's, and, like, gawd, doin' this stuff with white people's music in 1962? Incredible. Honestly, I could throw out every other adjective in the thesaurus: astounding, astonishing, awe-inspiring... And I don't mean to overhype it **too** much; I hold a reverence for it, sure, but there's other stuff I'd put over it in my own top albums list... But I really just don't have the words to express what a pretty, soulful album this is. Ray's singing from the bottom of his soul, and it is something else to behold. What else can I even scrape up to say about this album? I guess the choir and strings can sound a little "Disney movie" sometimes — y'know, if you've ever heard a choir singing at the end of, like, PINOCCHIO or whatever... But that's hardly any reason to not consider this honestly one of the greatest albums ever made. It is just... That good, and I have nothing but love and respect for Ray, the composers and conductors, the players... Just, everyone involved with the making of this thing. So, please, if you've somehow stumbled across this review and haven't heard the album yet, what are you waiting for? Go put it on and let Ray sweep you away. Maybe these sounds ain't so modern anymore, but damn if they don't hold up. Goodness.

I’m at a 10. I feel like I’m floating. Just unbelievable, really. I’m too pressed for time to write anything that long, but I think if you take Ray Charles, some deeply reworked country songs, & an orchestra that perfectly compliments the natural charisma that he displays throughout this album, then you have the recipe for a masterpiece. Genuinely, I’m stunned to the point of speechlessness. I truly cannot believe this is from 1962, and I can’t believe how fucking crisp the 2024 remasters are on Spotify. This is our first Ray Charles album, and while I had a pretty damn healthy respect for the guy, I’ve never listened to one of his full albums like this. I’m aware of his hits, but they couldn’t have prepared me for this album. Far from it – Ray Charles feels like he’s singing these straight from his soul, and that’s the sort of mixture of total zen & true passion that you can only tap into a handful of times, in the most magical moments. Somehow, I think Ray Charles pulls it out on this album for almost all of the 12 tracks. Granted, that might just be because I fully closed my eyes and got absolutely lost in each track, but I think that’s the best way to listen to this album. The lyrics are a helpful enough guide, sure, but for this one, just let them go. Ray Charles will take the brain to places that feel like they’re a heartbeat away, if you allow him to take you there. I truly can’t explain what I felt while listening to this – the closest comparison I have is when we got “Lady Soul” by Aretha Franklin, and even then, this just felt different. It’s an easy, easy 10. Ray Charles might just be magic, man.

Do I just love crooners? Very easy listen. Big double album but stayed fun.

Use to not love the backing vocals (the Jordanairs I think?) in the past but they’ve grown. Masterpiece!

I like it a lot!!!

Ray Charles's interpretations of classic country and western songs as soul and big band tracks makes me as a musician think about the lines drawn between genres and how good songwriting is more universal than we realize. The album otherwise is incredibly enjoyable as well.

Just picked up a copy of this. It's been on my list for a long long long time. Unfortunately not the original mono pressing but one of the early stereo copies.Ray’s voice, paired with that orchestration and emotional weight, makes it feel like every track has gravity. You don't know me and I can't stop loving you have always been my favourites. I know historically this has always been an important album but it's nice to know that it is great as well. A must for any collection if you can still find one.

Great stuff, very cool he used those standards! Was maybe just having a great day but this is an easy 5, would re-listen at any time

I just love some mf jazz and à good sax if you know what I mean 😜

A classic.

Flawless

The fuckin balls on this guy. Need this album in the absolute worst way possible. Easy listening, phenomenal grooves. Felt like a bit of a crooner listening to this riding the subway home transported back to the 1960's. The only thing that took me out of the moment was the e-bike that kept bumping into my elbow.

Classics all around

Amazing complete album from start to finish. This is an absolute classic.

<3

perfect. absolutely loved this!!!!!

perfect album as far as im concerned

I enjoyed listening to this all day.

Classic. Part of the Great American Songbook. These songs are quintessential Ray Charles.

I’m a big Ray Charles fan. This was maybe the first real crossover album. Just fantastic.

Fantastic

It's Ray Charles. He's a five star artist in my book. This album is a classic and worth every listen.

Always a great time listening to Ray Charles. I don't have anything ill to say about this album. An entire album of big band covers of country songs is just what I needed today. I genuinely don't have too much to say about this. This album is a sure-fire way to get yourself laid if you had this record on vinyl and a nice bottle of Grenache. Also I can't deny the bias, as this shit reminds me a LOT of Fallout: New Vegas. Just a lovely listen all round.

Some albums are 40 min long but feel like an eternity. This one is 1h+ long and felt way to short.

How can you have vocal cracks that are still in key?!! Idk how it’s done but Ray Charles seriously is one of the top 5 vocalists of all time. It’s not a perfect voice by any means but his range is impeccable. He hits the high notes with such ease and his low register just oozes of soul. If the whole background choir sound isn’t for you, I totally get it and wouldn’t argue against you but I think it just provides such a distinct flare for this time period in music. That in addition to the blaring horn sections. This is what I want out of brass, just some whaling saxophones and trumpets with some incredible jazz chords. And no Ray Charles album would be complete without talking about the Rayelettes, namely on you are my sunshine. That harmony at the very end with the c7 to f resolution just gives me goosebumps every time. I also love the arrangement of tracks on this album where it is simply a fast one then a slow one then a fast one, etc. It’s simple yet effective. I’m not positive on this but I do think this particular version is a reissue with more tracks on it which does hurt it a little bit, just because by the end some of the songs kind of start to run together but f that. “Genius” is thrown out a lot whenever talking about Ray Charles and it’s not hard to see why.

if this album did not exist we would have to invent it - my first 5 in my journey #musicsky #albumsky

Good

Favorite Track: You Don’t Know Me

Honestly, this album is just...wow. It's one of those records completely flip your expectations and leaves you with your jaw on the floor. Charles took classic country, swirled in his soulful genius, and BAM! You've got this incredible, genre-bending masterpiece The string arrangements are lush, his voice is pure emotion, and it just sounds amazing. It broke down walls and showed everyone what real musical magic sounds like.

Perfect.

Great

The strings, the crooning, the backup vocals... an absolute soundscape that pulls me gently into its flow. Charles' phrasing is literally perfect and I'm taking notes.

Great range. Not sure if it was the edibles but one of my favorites

Ray Charles is forever pitch perfect. These arrangements turned a singular genre into timeless classics from the great American songbook.

Classic songs of my youth that still hold up.

Classic! Bold rhythms, excellent instrumentation, and masterful vocals.

Always wanted to listen to this and was surprised (pleasantly) by it. More orchestral than anticipated. Great album.

A national treasure. I prefer his more upbeat material, and the album title is a misnomer, but one cannot argue his talent or impact.

Just some beautiful crooning from Ray across the whole album.

Flawless

Ray Charles.

Great blend of pop songs, big band jazz, and rock n roll. Good energy and mix of fast and slow songs.

I listened to the 2009 version, which is a double album with 24 songs. These all are covers of country-western songs done in mellow Ray Charles style. I was too young to know the significance of this record, but apparently it was influential for black artists then.

Grateful to listen to this classic and timeless album!

Love it 5/5

Une somme en deux volumes, 24 titres, ça peut intimider. Ray Charles applique les recettes du swing, de la soul et du jazz aux vieux tubes country, et ça fonctionne à merveille avec sa voix, ces chœurs, son énergie et sa sensibilité. On reconnaît ces airs mais ils sont métamorphosés par ce traitement. Ces vieux cons de réac de la country ont dû détester, rendant ce disque encore plus sympathique. Depuis l’intro “Bye bye love”, “I can’t stop loving you” est absolument irrésistible, tout comme “Born to lose”, “Oh, Lonesome Me”, “Take these chains from my heart”, “I’ll never stand in your way”, “Teardrops in my heart”. Je ne savais pas que j’avais autant besoin d’un album de reprises soul de standards country par Ray Charles, mais content de le découvrir. Maintenant défi : lister et écouter les originaux. Lu dans un commentaires : "He took White music and made it Black, it's like reverse Elvis."

Genre and groundbreaking. Personal enjoyment: 5/5 Relevance to this list: 5/5

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Truly enjoy this.

This is perfect!

kinda like old church hymns. relaxing and nostalgic kinda like when captain america finally got his dance kinda like jazz scenes from tom and jerry

So much fun. A great album.