Reviews (page 3 of 12)
One of the great all time albums. I have listened over and over. The voice, the arrangements. Amazing.
I would have never known these were country songs. Ray is a genius.
This was so good that, despite being pretty sure only Volume 1 was intended to be on this project, I listened to both.
A standard
"Modern Sounds" may be Ray Charles' greatest album(s). Charles' move in to country and western was possible because he gained artistic control of his projects in the early 60s. Previous success afforded considerable freedoms - and a rare level of creative control for the era. Charles crossed racial lines moving into country music. He brought his vocal skill, R&B background, and big band orchestrations to these country standards. His soulful renditions brought considerable critical and commercial success, and helped bolster Charles' position as one of the most influential American recording artists.
Amazeballs
I don’t know Ray Charles’s body of work. I know him more than his music. That’s a shame because I really,loved this record.
This is the stuff. What a great album.
Absolutely perfect.
What a great album
This is a really fascinating album. Love Ray Charles’ singing and piano, and the concept of reworking C&W could’ve been a risk. But he really pulls it off. The whole album works, and there’s several standout songs. My only gripe is the early 60’s sound, there’s a bit more orchestra than I’d prefer. But that’s minor. I’ll certainly listen to this again, it may well end up purchased. 4.5, I’ll round this one to 5/5
Chilllinnng😎
The brilliant Ray!
A classic and deservedly so.
Favourite songs: "Oh, Lonesome Me", "Hey, Good Lookin'", Bye Bye Love, You Are My Sunshine, Don't Tell Me Your Troubles, I Can't Stop Loving You, Worried Mind, Just a Little Lovin' (Will Go a Long Way), Take These Chains From My Heart, Your Cheatin' Heart, Born to Lose, It Makes No Difference Now, You Don't Know Me, You Win Again, Careless Love, Half as Much, I'll Never Stand In Your Way, Hang Your Head in Shame Least favourite songs: Midnight 5/5
One of Cooper's favs
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Beautiful album and music
Wonderful
amazing music.
It’s killer, helped me go through one Christmas trip and I haven’t forgot it since
Provavelmente o melhor disco, recheados de hits.
I've always loved this album and play it at home a decent amount! This era of Ray Charles reminds my of a PSE commercial growing up that, I think, had one of his songs. The commercial depicted warm images of the home and a street in what I am guessing was West Seattle that lights up when the sun goes down. It had a strong impact on me. I still look for that street.
Excellent. Ray Charles - legend!
Gorgeous
Feels like something I’d play to relax. It’s Ray Charles, baby! Beautiful arrangements and somber tunes. A tiny bit of variety on here I didn’t expect. What else is there to say?
Ray Charles- enough said. Classic.
Good
Chill AF. Can't stop listening.
Romantic, sexy music for grownups. A great let's get back together album. So many people saying it's too long, you're listening to Vol 1 & 2! The original album is 40 minutes long and ends with Hey, Good Lookin'...
Incredible?? Thank goodness for the art of music, as it gives us amazing records like this. I'm very unfamiliar with country music so most of this was new to me, but each song sounded right at home with Ray Charles' voice and his backing band. So much soul and good vibes, whether it was a ballad or an upbeat track. It's also not as dated as some of its contemporaries, mainly because of how clean and well-produced it is. Crazy good stuff, made even better by its cultural impact. He transcended genres and broke racial barriers during a very rocky time in history. Talk about hitting two birds with one solid record. I can't even name a standout. Every song was a standout. Imagine that!
amaaaazing!
everything he touched grooved so hard, and a lot of the production on his albums sounds so crisp for the time
Massively influential, perfectly executed. You Don’t Know Me is one of my all time favorites.
I wasn't sure what to expect with this, but this type of thing is right up my alley. I'm not sure I'd listen again, but I really liked it. I usually reserve my 5s for stuff I know I'll listen to again, but I can't fathom giving this any less than a perfect score.
Que capo Ray por favor, te mete unos countrys con una banda de soul. Me gustaría escuchar algo así (Malosetti no estuvo a la altura) de folklore argentino hecho soul.
I always love listening to the unique take different singers have on familiar songs. Ray Charles makes you forget there were other versions. This was marvelous.
I was familiar with many of these tracks from a best of Ray Charles collection that I have listened to many times. There were also many new tunes for me. I really liked them all!
A wonderful way to spend an evening.
WOW! I’ve heard a few of these songs and they are truly classics… but did realize what an incredible experience listening to both volumes of this lovely release would be. Just a total pleasure from beginning to end. Made my day!
Ray Charles is a legend, and these performances and recordings are excellent. This was an incredible album to pull on a lazy drizzly Friday morning. Excellent all around.
Bye Bye Love is my favorite song from the album!
Stellar record. The production, arrangements, and soulfully virtuosic musicianship that made Charles a legend shines through here.
The ultimate crossover. An R&B star releasing a country album at a time of racial tensions in the south. The connection between the two genre - always there - became apparent to all. And, we are all better for it. A stone-cold classic.
Here’s why I was going to give it a 4: I’m hoping that there is a more soul/r&b Ray Charles album on here, because while that would likely get a 5 from me, this doesn’t quite get there. There are some excellent moments, but it’s a little too schmaltzy for me. The more raw and wild Ray Charles is probably in my top 5 singers of all time (the scream on Someday almost gets there) He’s certainly able to make many of these songs his own which should count for something, I just wish he made them better than they were before. Here’s why I decided it deserved a 5: I will end by saying that I totally understand why this is on here, and think it’s one of the most important albums we’ve heard so far. In something I’m calling a “reverse Elvis”, Ray Charles shows how similar country, jazz, rock, and r&b could be and thus serves as a powerful symbol of the melting pot of American music (the cover of Your Cheating Heart, with the jazzy and bluesy piano solo proves my point). This music could only be made in a country like this.
Classic Ray Charles
I mean what more do you really want out of life
Забавная вещь: узнал о нем после фильма Рэй и очень проникся артистом. Я представляю насколько круто вживую смотреть на его выступления и у меня мурашки идут сразу.
Great old school style jazzy vibe
This album has so many things going for it: - The concept: country/folk/western songs reworked into pop/soul/jazz is genius, in my opinion. And the execution is great. - The instrumentation: the orchestra! The piano! Beautiful arrangements. - The voice: his voice makes the whole thing work. My only complaint is that it’s a little on the long side to listen as a whole. Doesn’t detract from the actual music though.
Jazzy, well-articulated, easy going tunes. Ray Charles nailed it. Lush orchestration and classic tunes. A great collection to be made aware of
I've liked Ray for many years but never listened to this one for some crazy reason - maybe I was put off by the title, not thinking that it was still going to be classic fantastic Ray.
Sonzao, já de entrada
Ok
During the recording of this album, Ray Charles became one of the few black artists in the early rock era to gain complete creative control of their music. He puts that control to phenomenal use here, interpreting folk and country standards with a blistering R&B flair.
Classic. No notes.
Amazing love it
Ray Charles. He does what he wants. And it's always brilliant.
GOATED
This was really good! I don't think I would have been able to tell that these were covers of country songs if it wasn't right there in the title, and while they may sound a bit dated for 1960s standards, I have a massive soft spot for a good big band. Favourite: Don't Tell Me Your Troubles
amazing. 5/5
Now this is real music
Hey this ray guy is pretty good
He's such a natural musician. Even though some of the elements are overdone when listened with today's ear, it does not detract from the greatness of this album.
I enjoyed every minute of this album. Split between jazzy big band arrangements for most of the quicker tempo songs and orchestral arrangements for the ballads the album swings effortlessly from one to the other. Underpinning it all is Charles' soulful singing that elevates each song and makes these country classics his own. It's not my go to genre especially the string arranged compositions, but tht did not get in the way of my enjoyment of the album. An album that should be heard by anyone that loves music. 5 stars.
Wow. What a once in a generation talent. The way he rewrote/reworked/restyled these standards was so good, quite often amazing..
Album number 6 I have on vinyl! I can’t begin to express how much I love this album. It was incredibly revolutionary and progressive for the time, it tore down barriers, and it’s probably Ray’s best or second best album. Holy shit it’s such a joy to listen to. While some of the songs aren’t as perfect as “Bye Bye Love”, “You Don’t Know Me”, or “You Win Again”, I enjoy listening to every single one of them. No filler or bloat whatsoever. If you don’t like this album, I don’t even know what to say to you. I should note that I’m only writing about Volume 1 here, but Volume 2 is equally perfect (if not better).
Big fan of 60s era of music. Ray Charles does some good stuff.
I'm stunned that the average review isn't higher. Maybe it's a recency bias. This album is exactly why the "1001 albums" project exists. This is a groundbreaking and culturally significant album, that also happens to be pretty darn good. Is it my favorite Ray Charles album? No. Did it have more impact on the course of American and World music than any other Ray Charles album ... and really most any album? Absolutely.
Many Classics, Is That Careless Love An Interpolation Of Silent Night?
Classic Oldies
Brilliance
Not much to say, no faults, all of his genius encapsulated.
By some quirk, yesterday Ray Charles album was followed by another Ray Charles album today - and I wasn’t disappointed. More beautiful arrangements, singing and playing; evocative of a certain era; charming, delightful and satisfying. These are recordings of the highest quality from a wonderfully talented artist.
Ray Charles 18th overall album featuring country, folk and western music standards reworked in popular song forms - R&B, pop and jazz. This album got lots of airplay on both R&B and country music stations. Ray said he didn't see a lot of difference in blues and country music. Given a lot artistic freedom the idea came to do this album which is absolutely incredible. His A&R man, Ray Feller went through 250 country songs to pick from. The songs are mostly love and heartbreak ballads as you would expect. The backing music are strings, horns, Ray's piano and voice and great backing vocals. Every song on this album is worth listening to. He creates an extremely unique style. I would like to go back and compare the original country version to Ray's. Two standout tracks are both near the end. What a great vocal delivery on "Careless Love." His voice just soars with the strings in the background. "I Can't Stop Loving You" is a classic example to the point that there really isn't much difference between blues and country. This song fits both...just great backing vocals and probably my favorite Ray Charles song. This was an historically important album crossing racial borders in a very racially-charged time. A timeless performance and album.
Ray Charles is his own genre. He saw no barriers.
man i just love a ray charles album, this was really nice
I just knew I was going to like a guy when it he played this album on vinyl the first time I went over to his house. Sigh, Ray Charles makes everything good, better.
Delicious
Great album, with great sounds and incredible balades
So so soulful yet precise. True synthesis of great American art forms.
Wow! What can I say?! It’s Ray Charles! Music doesn’t get any better than this! An absolute gem!
GOAT
So, so good.
love Ray Charles!
One of the great cross genre records
Pretty great. Didn't get a chance to listen to all of it, but will definitely go back.
Beautiful songs, beautiful voice, beautiful arrangements!
Very nice
Iconic and nothing less.
genius, pure & Simple
One of the best albums of all time. Period.
Couldn’t stand the arrangements, but Ray often rescues the songs anyhow.
day 1 a pleasant listen, despite my initial hesitance. charles' vocals are incredibly soothing and, listening to this album at night, i feel i could fall asleep to him. (though i suppose some songs, like "just a little lovin' (will go a long way)", are admittedly better suited for waking up.) ♡: "you don't know me"
Not bad for its time. The lyrics were really cheesy but otherwise the album seemed pretty solid.
Like, I can see why he's good, it's just not my taste. Still solid
I havent really listent to this genre that much, I think this album was a really great start.
pure midcentury americana. the perfect synthesis of rhythm and blues, country crooning, and vocal jazz. Ray Charles made an album that not just stands as an important musical moment, but epitomizes the culture that gave rise to it. show this to aliens when you need to cover this time period in the “history of western popular music” class. helps that Ray Charles can make a hellova ballad. deserves to be one of the 1001? i think so
#2 Enjoyed this one quite a bit. Growing up in the south I'm already very familiar with Ray Charles and enjoy his music a lot. I'm a little confused as to why this album is considered country though. Definitely heavy soul, blues, and jazz vibes kinda? Makes for some very easy listening!
Kind of great
A great album. I’ve giving it a 4 instead of 5 because the songs eventually blended together a bit for my uncultured ear but it’s still super pleasant to listen to
Some excellent songs, but a little slow moving for my tastes.
Apparently the definitive way to enjoy Country and Western classics. So glad this exists.
Classics from one of the all time greats, you can't go wrong
Classic, probably wouldn’t go out of my way to listen but would not be mad if it came on. Fun and upbeat!
Bye Bye Love - 4/5. Good. I'd listen to this. I love the big band and choir sounds. It helps that I already like the song. It's pretty different from the Everly Brothers, and that helps. You Don't Know Me - 3/5. I like this one. Ray sings very well on it. It sounded a little too showtune-y for it to be a great song, but still. I do like the theme of this song though. Half As Much - 4/5. A Hank Williams cover that was not country, but it sounded great. I Love You So Much It Hurts - 3/5. This one is okay. Pretty slow, but that can be okay. Just a Little Lovin' (Will Go A Long Way) - 5/5. This is more upbeat, so more like the songs I like. I really like this one. Ray does great, and the backing music is excellent. Born to Lose - 4/5. I like this one too. It's slow, but more jazzy. Worried Mind - 4/5. I like this one a lot. Ray's soothing voice really sounds great. It Makes No Difference Now - 5/5. This one's pretty good. The soul sounds very good, I would definetely listen to this kind of music. You Win Again - 4/5. This one is good, soulful. The backing vocals are very good. Kind of sounds like an old Disney song, but in a good way. Careless Love - 5/5. I love this one. It's smooth and sounds so familliar. I Can't Stop Loving You - 4/5. I really like Ray's part, but the choir section isn't really doing it for me. Hey, Good Lookin' - 5/5. Ray sounds great, it's well paced, and the piano is so good. You Are My Sunshine - 2/5. I like the original a lot better unfortunately. No Letter Today - 4/5. It just sounds so good. Someday (You'll Want Me To Want You) - 3/5. It just didn't really speak to me. Pretty unmemorable. Don't Tell Me Your Troubles - 4/5. I like it a lot, but it is kind of hard to keep up with. Midnight - 4/5. I like this one a lot too. Sounds so nice. Oh, Lonesome Me - 4/5. Short and sweet. Take These Chains From My Heart - 4/5. I am really starting to like these slower, more ballad-y songs. Your Cheatin' Heart - 5/5. very good. I love this one. I'll Never Stand In Your Way - 4/5. This sounds like music that would be playing in fallout, with crinkles. I love it. Making Believe - 4/5. This wasn't originally a soulful song like this? It sounds so good like this. Teardrops In My Heart - 4/5. These songs are all so good. Hang Your Head in Shame - 4/5. Good closing song for a great album. It is a cover album. I need to keep that into consideration. But still, it is very good. It makes me want to listen to more Ray. I wish there was more of his piano playing, but other than that, it was very good. I think that it gets a solid 4/5.
Nice
I was a bit skeptical that Charles could pull off messing with country classics, but shame on me! My wife loved it, I loved that, so all is good... Including this album.
Historic album at the time, and I enjoyed the fusion of blues and old country. Would listen again Rating: 7.5/10 Favorite Song: Bye Bye Love, Midnight
The strings and chorus are a bit much, but it’s still a pretty good album. Ray Charles was a very charismatic singer.
A classic voice
One of those absolute forces of nature… one of the great clean the house and listen albums. Floatin! 4.1
This drags a bit; it’s definitely from a different era. But, unlike the Sinatra album I had recently, this actually reimagines the songs instead of just covering them as they are. Super cool, even if it’s not really for me. 7/10 Quite Likeable
ik zou het zelf niet direct beginnen luisteren, maar stel dat dit op zou staan in een restaurantje of een bar dan zou ik wel gelukkig zijn
Turns out I had little idea what Ray Charles was all about. For the lazy, he's black Sinatra. Fortunately, I found nothing that I would call Country Western here. Modern . . . for the time, sure. I'm here for it, though. Ray isn't (or at least wasn't at the time) the songwriter of Sinatra, but the performances are at least equal.
How can you not love ray charles!?
Initially, I was quite daunted by a 24 track double album, but honestly I had a great time. So many well known standards, just classed up to the highest degree. Favourite track: Hey, Good Lookin’
A classic
Que album tan precioso, da gusto escuchar cosas asi. Tan relajantes, armoniosas, hechas con tanto amor 9/10
So much soul in this album A bit long for a comfortable listening but really relaxing 4 stars Fav song : Bye Bye Love
Koselig gammal ray charles, 60 talls sweetness! Dette liker jeg meget godt
Ray Charles vocals were so good I creamed
lovely
To be able to enjoy c&w classic songs by Mr. Charles is a surprise for me
Banger🔥
great stuff
Fantastic, just a really classic sound. Will be listening again
I liked this. Lots of old country classics done with gusto. Perfect for cooking and eating Friday night dinner.
This is what I mean when I say I like pre-911 country.
so gorgeous. the arrangements are wonderful and i love the way he sings... really powerful but definitely a bit understated. 'i love you so much it hurts' and 'you win again' were favorites.
finally. something made before the advent of personal computing. one minute in and i can already tell i've been grossly underestimating his amount of juice (no pause) for the entirety of my life. yes i watched ray (2004). "i love you so much it hurts." that's it. that's the comment. great a side. alright b side. listen before the tau tangles kick in. 3.8-5.
I love the sound of good 50-60s music like this. Musically, it’s great and a joy to listen to. My only complaint is that the themes and lyrical content start to feel really same-y about 60% of the way through. Different ways of saying the same thing about a breakup. Also reminds me of Sinatra’s “In The Wee Small Hours”
Ray Charles fucking legend!
Great sound on this album.
Cool
Not my type of music but really well done
Very pleasant listen
A lil repetitive but ooooh im swinging (3.75)
listening to the 2024 remaster. hope that doesn’t suck ass. it shouldn’t, i trust 20s remasters a lot more than stuff before that tbh.
One of the best old school music
Very, very good. Would have been 5 stars, but it was just so long.
Classic Ray Charles. Kind of a cross between Sinatra and Country & Western
Really enjoyed, sheer quality performance and arrangements the grand father of modern American music.
great listening music
album para escuchar en mis mañanas, calido y elegante, romantico. me hace acordar a disney
Amazing record
479/1089 - Great concept. Very good execution too but unfortunately it has schmaltzy string orchestra and choir which kind of defeats the purpose. Great feel on piano.
2 great records by Ray Charles. The name threw me off for a moment as I thought he had taken his shot at making Country / Western music. I should have realized it was him and his take on Country / Western classics from that era. Ray's voice is soothing and rich, such a good listen.
This is a short album but it felt like a long album. However the good songs are really good.
Ray Charles is going to get a lot more playtime in the next ten years of my life than he had in the first 50.
I liked this way more than I thought I would
3.5/4
notas muy relajantes con tonos suaves pero a la vez altos
A record that deserves a high ranking based on the barriers it broke and its place in American history. Musically, it’s all quite pleasant. Ray Charles has a beautiful voice. Certain songs like Hey Good Lookin are quite amazing. I do find myself wishing there was more piano from Ray throughout. The style does get a little old after an hour. But still a timelessly important album, with some legitimate musical chops. 4/5.
ball out ray charles ball out
Escuché el primer disco y me encantó. Es muy movido para mi gusto pero muy top. No tiene nada de country, es como un blues alegre. De hecho, reversionó el country (que principalemente era de blancos) de modo de darle un toque R&B, soul, rompiendo barreras raciales. Overall, muy bueno.
Decent album, genius of the jazzy blues industry, also called one of the pillars of jazz and Blues
I wasn't familiar with this album but it's really great
Love Ray though I'm not sure if he knows what Country and Western music is.
big fan of this form of yearning
It's Ray Charles. The voice is supreme you could listen to him sing the phone book. One of my favourite songs You Don't Know Me is there in all its glory. Don't much care for the backing vocals however his piano playing and the orchestra is brillant.
Great album. I love Nashville sound country, and the big band/soul genre cover takes that ballroom ballad essence to its endpoint. Another convincing argument for me to start collecting vinyl.
Made me feel like I was in an old Disney movie. So heartfelt, pure and emotional…A lot of country, a mix of my favourite genres and you can see how this work deeply influenced Elvis music. A bit slow but I actually love these kind of things!
Lots of classics/ covers in this and maybe I just don't recognize some. Very different sound from the originals i know but all of them sound great.
Great voice and style. Clearly a pro. Interesting song assortment. I agree with other reviews saying he took country songs and made them a different genre. Reverse Elvis - 100% the right description of taking a root and owning it in a different form. Oh this cover of I Can't Stop Loving Your is used in the climax of the movie Metropolis (not the black and white one). It hits.
He has a beautiful voice. The production value on this album is as good as it gets. The subject matter of the songs is very repetitive, but that's a big part of the genres at play here. Same ingredients served many ways. I Can't Stop Loving You is a stand out.
Double album, twice the joy. Ray is just a real treat, no matter the situation.
It was really good, Ray Charles is always an delight to listen to.
This was great. 4/5
I toyed with giving this one a 5 for a little while, but settled on a 4. Great album with a 20 star song in "You Don't Know Me"
Listening session: april 28th, while chilling at home Listened to before: no Thoughts: this feels like it belongs on the soundtrack of a black and white vintage romance movie. The only downside of this album is that it’s quite long and therefore becomes a bit repetitive Favourite tracks: You Don’t Know Me, You Are My Sunshine & Teardrops In My Heart
Es un disco que genera tranquilidad, el tiene una voz que da paz. Por momentos mi cuerpo seguía el ritmo y por otros momentos me sentía en una película de estados unidos. Es un disco que tiene correlación de principio a fin y esta muy bien logrado el concepto de ubicar al oyente en el contexto que sale a la luz este disco. Me gusto, lo voy a volver a escuchar reiteradas veces en mi vida, conocía el artista, no este album.
Tämä oli hyvä levy, ehkä hitusen verran liikaa balladi-biisejä, mutta Ray:n ääni on kuin kaataisi hunajaa korvaan.
I saw a review that said this album was a reverse Elvis. And that's spot on. He took music and made it his own. It's such a wonderful listen.
The fact that this exists is a miracle. The fact that it's good doesn't hurt.
Ray Charles singing the classics is very nice. The oldest sounding album so far and something Don Draper would be spinning with a glass of whisky in hand
Classic Songs with a soulful, inspired voice and intimate production. Feels like he's in the room with you.
spoiler: not at all country and western
Beautiful and timeless. 9/10.
Highlights: Bye Bye Love, You Don't Know Me, Half As Much, Just A Little Lovin, You Win Again, Hey Good Lookin In order to stay true to the entry I only listened to the original twelve tracks (passed on listening to vol. 2). But holy shit this came on HARD. Busted through the door like the Kool Aid man, but then it went polar cold and slowed to a crawl. Fitting for the weepy lyrical themes. Not a single happy song on here until the very end, only 19th century-ass romantic schmertz. And as the record goes on it does get a bit monotnous, but there is still a consistent quality to it.
A great sounding album by Ray Charles. I probably wouldn’t go back and listen again and again to the album but I can see adding many songs to playlists to have on in the background.
WOOO RAY!! Great album, and if course, I'm getting to figure out how i can dance to all of them. 8/10
Classic Ray!
What type of music do you play here? "Both types! Country and Western." One of my favorite lines from Blues Brothers which has Ray Charles! Taking old school country tunes and jazzing them up for the big band style. I saw a review say this was a "Reverse Elvis" and did a great job of bringing people together. Classic with generational talents.
7/10
It’s a very cool album. Just lovely to sit and listen to. Not really Country at all tbh. The backing singing style is very 50s easy listening and is jarring with Rays vocals. Other than that I can’t fault it. 4
up a star because my grandma loves this one
super super lovely
I clearly wasn't mature enough when I listened to it for the first time, it's actually really classy, really good, even the length doesn't bother me.
such a legend highlights: you don't know me, just a little lovin rating: 3.5
Några dängor man kände igen från Fallout
The Spotify collection combines Volume 1 and Volume 2, along with several extra tracks. Although bundled together, these remain two distinct albums that follow a similar blueprint: one side dedicated to orchestral ballads and the other to an up-tempo, big-band style. Released in 1962, both records are high-quality releases with several stand-out moments. Sonically, the production is excellent for its age, as are the sophisticated musical arrangements. However, the backing vocals by The Jack Halloran Singers - used primarily for the orchestral numbers - tend to date some of the material. In instances such as "I Can't Stop Loving You", these additions feel somewhat superfluous; the vocal performances by Ray Charles are powerful enough to stand on their own. This was a deliberate production choice by Charles to ensure the tracks appealed to a mainstream pop audience, but the effect hasn't always aged well. Conversely, the contributions from Charles’s long-time backing group, The Raelettes, on the big-band numbers remain vibrant and have not dated in the same way. Volume 2 opens with the big-band arrangements, and the shift in vocal style is immediately apparent on "You Are My Sunshine", which possesses a genuine soulfulness. "Oh, Lonesome Me" is a brave attempt at reimagining a classic in an up-tempo manner, though it does not quite capture the emotional resonance of the original. On "Take These Chains from My Heart", the more dated choral arrangements return, though they feel slightly less jarring on "Your Cheatin' Heart". These are accomplished albums that successfully bridged genres, even if some of the stylistic choices are firmly rooted in their era. Four stars overall, with Volume One being the slightly stronger album. Volume One 1 "Bye Bye Love" (4/5) 2 "You Don't Know Me" (5/5) 3 "Half as Much" (3/5) 4 "I Love You So Much It Hurts" (4/5) 5 "Just a Little Lovin' (Will Go a Long Way)" (5/5) 6 "Born to Lose" (4/5) 7 "Worried Mind" (5/5) 8 "It Makes No Difference Now" (5/5) 9 "You Win Again" (4/5) 10 "Careless Love" (5/5) 11 "I Can't Stop Loving You" (4/5) 12 "Hey, Good Lookin'" (5/5) Total Vol One - 53 Average Vol One - 4.42 Volume Two 1 "You Are My Sunshine" (5/5) 2 "No Letter Today" (4/5) 3 "Someday (You'll Want Me to Want You)" (5/5) 4 "Don't Tell Me Your Troubles" (3/5) 5 "Midnight" (4/5) 6 "Oh Lonesome Me" (3/5) 7 "Take These Chains from My Heart" (3/5) 8 "Your Cheating Heart" (4/5) 9 "I'll Never Stand in Your Way" (3/5) 10 "Making Believe" (3/5) 11 "Teardrops in My Heart" (4/5) 12 "Hang Your Head in Shame" (3/5) Total Vol Two - 44 Average Vol Two - 3.67 Total - 97 Average - 4.04 301/1001 163/301 albums reviewed were new to me
An album almost as old as me and one not especially familiar, despite various familiar songs. Neither had I appreciated the significance and impact of the fusion of soul and country at the time. I thoroughly enjoyed listening while varnishing the pergola in the April sunshine
Varias rolas como para el fin del mundo
smooth
I'm a huge Nine Inch Nails fan, but Hurt belongs to Johnny Cash now. He owned his cover, made his mark on it and forever claimed it. Ray Charles here did just that, and to a whole double album of songs too. That's novel as hell and I respect it. It didn't need to slap so hard with the big band jazz either, that's just a lil extra as a treat.
Love songs
The voice is just so iconic. Incredible vibes, you just wanna slow dance and feel happy in an empty room.
A beautifully-composed double-album that fills you with nostalgia for a time you weren’t alive for.
I wonder if the title was a little ironic or not? Either way I love this album. I’ve heard it before. Ray Charles is the man.
i wasn't expecting such a relaxing and homey vibe from this album. The instrumentation and slow rhythm in its songs, with the use of bells makes it feel like a Christmas Album. And it's quite strange considering that is more of a popurri of songs. In that sense, can feel a bit samey. But if you're in the mood and need a relaxing and comfy album, this one is excellent. Considering that the little information i know about Ray Charles makes me think about him in a more soulful music related style, this is a great representation of his skill and versatility.
*1962. *This is undeniably great stuff, but you have to be in a pretty specific mood to want to listen to it. I am rarely in said mood. However after being forced to listen to a couple tracks, I quickly get into said mood. *Really cool concept - Ray took vanilla country songs and made them bluesy and theatrical. Lots of horns, Frank Sinatra-esque but actually soulful. RATING - 7.5/10
Who doesn't love Ray?
This was quite a nice jazzy album. I enjoyed having it in the background while doing other things. It also reminded me of how my parents would have this in the background whenever we would visit family friends.
Until now I have never listened to Ray Charles, but that’s not the same as not knowing about him. I know Ray Charles from the Blues Brothers, or more accurately from a partner whose favourite film is the Blues Brothers and adores it. She watched it daily at one point in her life. I of course have watched it with her several times, so I thought I had some idea of what to expect here: something upbeat and energetic like his performance of Shake A Tail Feather in BB. I was half right. This album is such a strange blend of high energy blues and slow crooner tracks that would be right at home on an album of Nat King Cole or Frank Sinatra, with the weighting being slightly in favour of the latter. I would have preferred the weighting to be reversed. Ray Charles has a great voice, and his band does a great job, but I certainly thought they worked better at the classic rhythm and blues than the slower crooner tracks. Not to say he was objectively better in one style than the other, purely personal preference. Charles is certainly adept at both, and the whole package here is a good listen.
This was really nice! Ray’s voice and the instrumentals all work really well together to create a smooth sound throughout. Likes: Bye Bye Love; You Don’t Know Me; It Makes No Difference Now; Careless Love
Listened previously. Expectations: High - Verdict: Great - The Genius shows why he deserves that name. Incredible voice and the arrangements here are sublime. The contrast between the energetic numbers and the slower, prettier tunes is really nice. I definitely enjoy the faster songs more though, the joyous energy is so infectious. You Win Again is fantastic. Tasteful piano touches just add to a lovely album. I don't think this is particularly mind blowing it's simply a master at work, effortlessly moulding songs into his vision.
Solid old timey music. Not my kind of thing, but it is to be respected.
Goat shit. We love Ray
This is country? It sounds like a melding of jazz and R&B, but with Charles' country drawl. I can somewhat hear it; a lot of the slow songs remind me of Patsy Cline (i.e. Crazy). I guess country back then was more orchestral-flavoured than it is now. (3.5-4)
Delightful
It was alright at first but then something clicked and it got so good. Imagine walking around a city, like the idealised version of Paris or somewhere else you see in old films, down a path in the park with lantern-like streetlights and black metal benches whilst this plays.
Tad bit samey, but nonetheless great.
It's a good time.
Stellar album with everything just working flawlessly. Loved the chill vibe of the songs and the instruments sound amazing as do the singing.
Little long but that's a first world problem
Not my favourite Ray Charles album but still very good.
first song had me tapping my feet. I get the RC hype (sorry for not getting it before, this was way before my time and not something I grew up listening to). 3.5
Me gustó, muy bueno y animado
A very nice, sometimes funny, sometimes almost nostalgia inducing album. It's beautifully constructed and his voice is incredible to listen to.
This album is a doozy. I'd never listened to a Ray Charles album in full, but man, his style of music is so charming, I'm completely sold. I understand now why he's seen as one of the greats.
This was a pleasant listen if I had to pick a Ray Charles album to put on again I would probably pick this one. It doesn’t sound like country music to me though.
It's country, turned into pop, jazz, soul, big band, … before it was cool to do it: Rawhide! Love it, but oddly hard to find so I could listen to it. Can’t add to playlist, but very happy I was reminded of it.
wait i know more on this album than i expected been very into 50s/60s music since watching fallout cant remember where i know you don't know me from, probably PLL or something one of my coworkers sent me a ray charles gif while i was in the middle of the album. very random. very coincidence favorite song: bye bye love
Solid and big what expected at all
sounds like being at my grandparents house in a good way :)
“These songs would normally sound a boring and pathetic, but Charles and his ensemble add soulful emotion and raw passion to this otherwise plain pop.” Sorry, let my music critic voice slip in for a second.
Flott
While not the oldest album I've rated, this one had some of the oldest music. Backed by big band sounds and backup singers evoking the 40s and early 50s, Ray Charles puts a soulful twist on historic folk and country songs. Even 64 years later, there's no denying the genius of this American treasure.
Classic/10
woah
8/10
Very enjoyable album. The backup vocals made me think of my grandparents generation. It gave this album a sound that dates it, though I am not complaining. I have know who Ray Charles was my entire life, but never listened to his music. The title of the album is a bit of a misnomer. I would have called this jazz.
This is what geniuses do.
I really enjoyed this. Of course I know who ray Charles is, but this really got me good. The way his sound relaxes your mind but also hits on an emotional level. Stunning album
This is a great collection of standards. I don't know all of the originals, but the ones I recognize have been cleverly rearranged. At times some of the strings grate on me, but it's a double album. Favorite songs: Half As Much, Born to Lose, It Makes No Difference Now, Your Cheatin' Heart, Making Believe
Beauty
Country and Western is nowhere near how would I describe this album. This was better than the other Ray Charles on this list. So I’m guess I’m learning that Ray Charles songs harken back to my unrequited middle school crushes. These song titles absolutely represent my seventh grade love life: I Love You So Much it Hurts You Don't Know Me Born to Lose Oh, Lonesome Me Teardrops in My Heart Hang Your Head in Shame
I was waiting for Ray Charles and really going to be upset if he wasn't included in this list, so this was a happy moment. I will say when I first noticed it was a double album, I was a little worried it would be long, but wow he really had a knack for making a great song in just over 3 minutes! He shows how to back a song full of emotion, soul, joy, sadness and everything in between in a nice like package that makes me love it and not feel like I am unsatisfied. His voice is unique but perfect for his musical style blending with the piano, background singers and everything else to just be fun and soul touching.
This was a fun album and I love how influential it was to the civil rights movement, and in bringing people together through music. Music is such a powerful force. His vocals are so good, and I really enjoyed the layers of instrumentation and backing vocals that give the songs lushness and fresh life.
Loved this album. Many different highlights. Musicianship was great and the interpretations of some songs were really entertaining.
This opens ripping with old-school R&B with a swing-blues flavour. Has energy that makes you dance, lush orchestration, fabulous vocals that have a gospel-rock edge. Clearly has references to country especially in rhytm and song structure, so this claim to be advancing it is actually backed up. And well. Sonebody said this is white music made black, like reverse elvis- which I think is a really good analogy. This slaps.
did not expect to be attacked with jazz at the beginning, very fun and lovely sounding album fav song: Bye Bye Love
sooo pretty
I began listening to this before reading the Wikipedia entry for it, and not being very familiar with country music standards, it took me a little while to realize that’s what this album is, because Ray Charles turns these into his songs. The two discs is a little much and it begins to feel repetitive after a time, but this is still a great listen and Charles is a fantastic and soulful singer.
favorite song: just a little lovin' (will go a long way) + you don't know me vibe: slow (and not so slow) dancing in the kitchen and feeling present rating: 89/100
Really good
In my review of the Beach Boy’s album, Surf’s Up (which I gave a 2), I said, “I can’t imagine there are many bands that can create something great for their 17th studio album”. Mr Charles has proved to be the exception with this incredible 18th studio album. I’ve been a Ray Charles fan since the movie, Ray, came out more than 20 years ago. I bought the soundtrack shortly after and just expanded my listening from there. Both the concept and the execution of this album are fantastic. I love the big band sounding songs the best. Ray’s voice is timeless and he is one of the best pianists there is. A solid album choice and I hope to hear more from him on this list.
Man, did I enjoy this album! Ray Charles’ voice is silky smooth and sounds even better when backed by that big band sound. Great listen and glad it was a part of this project.
Not something I would have picked off the shelf, but man did I enjoy this. Ray Charles voice hits just right. Cool concept, significant statement at the time, but most of all just amazing music.
😍 This album was an absolute delight and I think it's how I found my entrypoint for Ray Charles. I know I don't fully understand the historical context of this album but it's a banger.
It's kind of country. It's kind of Soul/Big Band. It's even a little bit bluesy. Ray Charles shines on this album, a incredible talent.
I feel like, if I was born in the 30’s, this album is what I’d be crying to, instead of being born in the 90’s and crying to Kid A.
Just really well done tunes. Great to listen to and doesn’t ever really get old for me.
muy rico para el ambiente mañanero el rayo carlizador
Classy af.
It’s not really my style but there’s no denying that it’s very well done
Favorite Song: Bye Bye Love
A nice wee album full of lovely songs
Kinda crazy that of all the records chosen for me so far, I'd choose this one to take with me to the island. Some beautiful love songs in here, and boy is Ray's voice magic.
Ray Charles covers classic country staples by the likes of Hank Williams, oh yeah. This is a good album.
valentines day in new york
Lush and Soulful. A long album, but all good music, soulful and in his distinct style and delivery. I like the arrangements and full background accompaniment
Not my favorite album of RC’a but as a huge alternative country fan, I recognize how progressive it was at the time. This album circles the more 40’s/50’s sounds with all the brass- reminding me of Sinatra. But I love his voice, no matter what he’s singing, the bluesier the better.
I don’t care that there’s not a single Christmas song on here this is Christmas music Ignoring the fact that all the lyrics are about relationship issues, there’s something so cozy about Ray Charles. It’s the kind of music you’d throw on on Christmas Eve sitting around the fireplace with family. I think it’s tickling the same neurons in my brain as Sinatra. I really did like this one though, I Can’t Stop Loving You’s a classic, and it was nice seeing a bunch of covers of even more classic songs like Hey Good Lookin’. Ray Charles has an amazing voice that just draws you in. Normally I would complain about the album being on the long side but there’s too much good stuff in here. It’s like right on the border of 4 and 5, but I think I’ll settle on high 4. I probably won’t put this one on while driving but any time you want to create a cozy environment Ray’s got your back
I can't Stop Loving You was used in the climax of Metropolis (2001) to great effect
Really not exclusively C&W, more like Brother Ray singing songs from the Great American Songbook. Good arrangements on some/many of these that came across as refreshing if not innovative, at a time when anything he did was considered "Black Music." You Don't Know Me and You Are My Sunshine really stood out for me.
This album is good, it has a good variety of songs and it changes from energetic to slow every song. That said, I feel like it’s better as background music than full on attention to the album. I also have a little problem with how long the album is, but it’s not that big of a problem.
Solid old tunes.
Man nezin kāpēc bija cits priekšstats par Ray Charles
Beautiful, in its classic way
Such great standards.
Great album, big band music with a country twist
Definitely not my favourite genre, but I can appreciate the talent and sound of the album
acho que eu nunca tinha parado pra escutar ray charles a fundo bom demais hein
ou, é fortissimo hein até mei country, mas gostosim demais de ouvir. o home era bom.
"Bye Bye Love" is a mood, damn.
This album has brought me to a realization. This album works so well because Soul and Country come from the same common ancestor. I feel like that's why there's such a split between people saying it's clearly country and people saying there's no way these were originally country songs. I'm in the middle. There isn't a lot that jumps out as country, but I feel like all of the songs are pretty clearly country covers. Anyways, I said the same thing yesterday about James Brown, but this guy could sing a Terms of Service page and make it sound like Pavarotti. Really the only negative to me is that I feel like the slower songs all start to feel the same after an hour, but everything else is great. Saxophone bonus points, of course.
Gotta love anything that makes country music palatable.
What an amazing voice. So much soul. Great album, mostly covers
Maxo relaxo
Armchair music Fave track: You Don't Know Me
Pretty cool concept. 4/5
Grande cuore e notevole talento, merita 4 stelle !
Not always in a Ray Charles mood but when I am he's flagship.
The band is tight, they got swing, groove, Ray’s got soul. So why as an album does this bore me? Individually they are all good tracks and i cam see songs like I Love You So Much is country reqorked amd maybe that was incredible for the time. Actually as i sit through it the beauty shones more and more. The 50’s studio sensibility (yeah i know this is an early 60’s album, but the sighing strings, the high tight harmony chorus) along qith Ray’s soulful singing makes a weird and interesting mix. I picture country sadness and heartache in the lounge bar of the suburbs, whiskey stained smoking jackets, empty formica tables. I think the boredom comes from the song selection. Lot of country standards here and apart feom a couple of Hank songs they are formulaic country, which is probably the point of Ray taking thwm and fucking around with them, atretching thwm into aomething else, keeping the emotional intent, but preseting them differently. Is it a protest album? I like country and you’re just writing the same formulaic shit. Or a cash in on the popularity of the music at the time?
Absolutely love the orchestration on this album it reminds me of when I was a kid in the 60's.
Great performances
I had no idea Ray Charles was a big band jazz front man! Absolutely nothing in that title is accurate.
Knall! Farlig nært en 5'er. Kanskje ved neste gjennomlytt
Damn. Very nice album. Reminds me of the music my family played growing up Saved: -Bye Bye Love -You Dont Know Me -You Win Again -Hey Good Lookin -Dont tell me your troubles -Take these chains fron my heart -Your cheating heart
I didnt feel country vibes from this. very soulful. I love soul music!!!! 8/10
I enjoy a good amount of these songs as is, but it is a long album and becomes slow in the middle making it a bit hard to focus. That being said I listen to this vinyl all the time purely because of the atmosphere is creates and I tink I love the sound of this album regardless of whether or not Amin actively listening. The concept of this album alone is great.
you cant see how good this is
Ранее слушая очень старые соул и рок-альбомы 60-х было очень тяжко дотерпеть до конца. Но этот альбом Чарльза очень приятно порадовал
rey charles
Jamie Foxworthy of a 4.0
a solid album. good choice of covers. jazzier than i thought it was going to be (as opposed to straight up soul, if that makes sense). a good blend of genres, i can see how it would have been a groundbreaker when released.
This was good! I enjoyed the songs and the vocals. Was a fun listen.
This was a great listen. So many famous songs, largely familiar to me through other covers by other artists. A little Disney-esque with some of the backup vocals but overall innocent and enjoyable. This would be great for dinner party or mellow evening at home. Solid performance. 4/5