Reviews (page 4 of 13)
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
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
Any album this long will eventually tire me out. This one especially tired me out. But there can be no denying this is some kick as music.
Magic stuff
Kyllä ennen tehtiin kunnollista.
Ray osaa kaiken musalajin ja tämä ei ole poikkeus. Soulia löytyy tästäkin.
Getting right into this, it has such a fun feel to it. I feel like I should be line dancing in a flowy midi dress in a western bar. I was slightly apprehensive going in as Country and Western is not my thing in the slightest, which considering where I live makes me a bit of a hypocrite. You don’t know me has a very calming presence. It’s romantic, and something I could see people slow dancing to, maybe in the middle of winter. It has a bit of a Christmas time vibe. Similar vibe with I Love you so Much it Hurts. Just a little Lovin’ brings back that swing that I was enjoying at the beginning. Born to Lose sounded like something from the beginning of an old Disney movie. It makes no difference now feels like something I’d listen to at an easy listening bar. Same with Careless love. This is a good album to have on in the background. I can’t stop loving you seemed to be almost the sequel to I love you so much it hurts earlier in the album. Hey Good Lookin’ was one I recognized. It’s one that was quoted by family but I never knew where it came from. On to disc 2! You are my sunshine was a mixed bag for me. My mom used to sing me this song as a child so hearing a more bombastic version of it wasn’t exactly what I wanted. Someday was nice and relaxing. The horns throughout this album are on point, but I wouldn’t expect anything less. Midnight has really nice vocals. I really enjoyed Old Lonesome Me! This was just a fun track. I also enjoyed Your Cheatin’ Heart. I thought Making Believe sounded very similar to the previous track. I think I’m going insane. So many of these sound like Christmas music. Anyway, 3.5/5 ⭐️, 6/10. Thought a lot of this album was amazing, but also thought a lot of it was quite repetitive. A good listen. 28/1089
No particular comments other than yes I enjoyed
Classy
Pretty decent. Ray Charles is good, and classic songs. Not an all time favorite, but fun.
Maybe not the country I expected, given the title, a lot of this really leans more into traditional pop, but either way, this was still a pretty great listen. Ray Charles was one of those talents that I've never fully tapped into before. And while his vocals are pretty standout, I'd say the whole production here is just super well executed; everything comes together perfectly - be it the lush string arrangements, the grainy backing harmony, or very minimal but complementary piano playing. Many of my favorite songs have Ray's voice hanging in the background, making them sound distant, echoey, and sort of dreamlike in the very dense mix here, specifically 'You Don't Know Me' and 'You Win Again'. The great 'I Can't Stop Loving You' more than any other song, really puts those "backing" harmonies in the forefront, with Charles almost playing the backing role; his restraint and the way he comes in at all the perfect times to dance with those lead vocals gives the song this satisfying edge. This one song is maybe the most dreamlike here; the whole thing feels like floating down a river under a full moon, as nature's harmonies entrance you. You still get songs like 'Bye Bye Love' and 'It Makes No Difference Now' that spotlight Ray's vocals and piano playing, the former being maybe the most jazzy and big band piece here. Pretty great record, and as classic-sounding as popular music gets. Maybe not the best showcase of Ray's individual talents, but he fits well into the general mix here regardless.
You can never go wrong with a jazz album, and of course Ray Charles is going to get a high rating from anyone who believes so. I’m not a jazz superfan by any means, though, and wouldn’t put it on on my own. Objectively, it may be 5 stars, but for me, it has to be a 4.
Is this R&B? Is this Soul? Is this Jazz? Is this Country? Who's to say? Certainly not me. Favorite Track: Bye Bye Love
I liked this a lot. I’ve only ever heard Mess Around by Ray Charles because of Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, and liked that one a lot but I never listened to more. I’m glad I did because this was a cool album
Heartbreak but make it happy! Vibes: afternoon at home, feeling nostalgic but not depressed, doing things around the house
On the whole, I enjoyed this album. I liked the classic songs and on most of the songs, I liked Ray's spin to make them his own. There were a few times where he scooped the notes, which my voice teacher was totally against, plus it just sounds sloppy to me ear.
Favorite song- Worried Mind I put Ray Charles on the list of Classics that you just can’t go wrong with. I was familiar with other Ray Charles songs not on this album, I had heard Hit the Road Jack and Nighttime Is the Right Time. I also recognized other songs on this album, that I had heard performed by other artists. I would definitely listen to this again and hope to hear his other albums someday.
Jazzz again
Better than expected! Easy listening
Music you'd hear at the best dinner party of your life
"I once was blind" bro tu não és cego???? Muito bom, foi um album facil de ouvir
Ovo je baš pozitivno iznenađenje s obzirom da me prošli Ray Charles nije oduševio, ovo je super da se malo osjećam sofisticirano i napredno.
Not to diminish what must have been a massive crossover hit, but this would have went hard if I was playing Fallout: New Vegas I only listened to Volume 1, hope that's okay. Might come back to the rest as I did enjoy this, went down very smooth
This is quality hip hop. Love the energy and the cleanliness and clarity of the rapping.
Classic album
Awesome
Very pleasant - soul, country, swing, show. It's all included.
Very good
I have a tendency to overrate things that surprise me, and goddammit, the fact that this ISN'T actually country and western music get a full star or happiness and relief.
Fue relajante.
everything from this era just reminds me of fallout music or the background to Christmas movies (this is not a bad thing)
Cojonudo. Lo que me mola a mí.
Was planning on making a "both kinds of music" quip only to be surprised by this not actually being very country! I actually think is a very cool concept for an album of this time period and really well executed, lovely arrangements.
This didn’t sound like country to me, but it was really gorgeous music! Ray Charles has a beautiful voice and I enjoyed that classic big band sound.
Fun listen lots of great songs. Interesting how old/traditional r&b it is, guess I don’t really know Ray Charles that much.
That's nice
Poker muzak
Actually pretty chill,100% stereotypical 60s music, a lot of it sounds the same, I like the layered vocals, overall pretty good listen
Of course, it's more like "Country and Western Music in Modern Sounds", but at least for a brief a moment in 1962 it's kind of remarkable Ray Charles set a template for what popular music could be like across multiple genres. I will say the Vol. 1 LP has done serious business on my turntable but Vol. 2 hasn't as much, regardless of which volume is your favorite you gotta admire just how much this man openly defined the scope of pop music.
loving the instrumentals emotional lyrics executed beautifully favorite song- worried mind
4/5 -- kinda feels like christmas music, but not?
I'm really not a fan of crooning music, Sinatra, Bing Crosy, ect. There are parts here that give me that cringe, but there are also moments with depth and beauty I don't hear in the Vegas crooners. When the country or jazz or soul comes through a little stronger there are moments that I love. Ultimately I would rather listen to a full on country or jazz album and leave this as an interesting album that I don't revisit in full.
This was wonderful!! I didn’t get a chance to listen to the whole thing, it was very long and so it loses a star for that, but oh how I love his voice 🤩 and I love this style of music. So easy to listen to and so full of emotion.
Sweet
Awesome to hear it from a different perspective
i love ray charles
Good songs, cool idea!!
YESSSS I LITERALLY SCREAMED WHEN I GOT THIS IM SO HAPPY. incredible album loved almost every track. Great morning energy. Gets a bit slow in the second half.
I love Ray Charles and I dig these interpretations a lot. However - I don't need this to be a double record.
Good album with a classic sound. Great voice by Ray Charles, of course, but also amazing instrumentals and lovely backup singers. Songs get a bit repetitive, especially with such a large album, but definitely worth relistening
Superbly nostalgic and meticulously crafted. Ray Charles leads a richly produced ensemble over a couple dozen Country and Western standards. There's very little to dislike about this record, with my only gripe being that listening to both volumes in a sitting is a touch too time-consuming. Best Tracks: - I Can't Stop Loving You - Don't Tell Me Your Troubles - Bye Bye Love Worst Tracks: N/A Rating: 8.5/10
Great, Love
It was good but started to blend together after a while. Easy listening, it's tough to go wrong with Ray Charles
It’s a good album, there’s something about musicians doing covers of music outside of their genre in their style that I enjoy, like Willie Nelson’s Stardust.
Wow can't believe they made fallout soundtracks all the way back in 1962. This was alright, but it was a little slow at points. If you're willing to dig, there's definitely some gems in here. Generally the more big band inspired and orchestral it gets, the more I tend like the songs on here, which I've definitely heard more of in other Ray Charles albums. You are my Sunshine and Don't Tell Me Your Troubles sounds great on here. Both Discs start really well but begin to fall off towards the end, so it isn't the most consistent. In the polar opposite to the Grunge yesterday, I have a real soft spot for this type of music that makes me really want to give this a 4 even though its very borderline. This site doesn't allow half stars, so just know if it did I'd go 3 1/2 stars.
Pretty good. Kinda sad
Classic, cool Ray
I enjoyed this a lot overall. Don't tell me your troubles sounds like the songs they do at the end of whose line is it anyway.
Another enjoyable listen. Not my first choice, if I was to look for something to listen to but I liked it.
Excellent crony gospel inspired big band goodness.
Very good reworkings of classic country songs. Nice job, Ray.
Soul, very powerful voice
Also a lovely album which makes me want to listen to more jazz!!
Modern it is not. Funny to think that once it was. Great vocals and cosy big band vibes.
Funny to consider these were once modern sounds. Because today it feels like a rich, warm blanket of standards. 'You Don't Know Me' is surely one of the most effective unrequited love songs ever written, and I can't help but think of Bill Murray and Andy MacDowell having a fleeting romance in a snow covered park. But can't all be timeless classics. 'I Love You So Much It Hurts' feels pedestrian amongst such esteemed company. There is a big-band 'swing' element to much of it which doesn't float my boat nor holds up to the ballads. The ballads may be variations on a theme, but these are all excellent bar none. 'Worried Mind' has honky-tonk piano amongst strings and exposed vocal. 'You Don't Know Me' is surely one of the most effective unrequited love songs ever written, and I can't help but think of Bill Murray and Andy MacDowell having a fleeting romance in a snow covered park. The best reinterpretation of originals I've heard since 'In the Wee Small Hours'. It doesn't have the consistent mood of that album, and I'm a sucker for the non-big-band tunes, but clearly this is at least excellent.
Never listened to much Ray Charles. There was a lot of very danceable and fun tracks on this one.
This was fun, a twist on some western hits
I liked this and I don't have a lot to say about it! Classic early 60s sound, all the songs are pretty short which is interesting. His voice is great though 8/10
It's quite mesmerising. I quite like it.
Un sound che, come da titolo, è moderno ancora oggi
C'était super. pas besoin de plus je pense
Nice, easy-listening album, I particularly enjoyed the more 'jazzy' songs, 'Bye Bye Love' and 'Just A Little Lovin'' 74/100
Very nice. Particularly a fan of the jazz parts. Favourite track - I Can't Stop Loving You
1. very fun start 2. much more mellow but i love his voice very christmasy 3. good but not as good as first 2 4. i like liked the album but was doing other things while listening so couldn’t distinguish tracks and truly listen critically but it was very enjoyable to play in the background
Great tunes. Some recognizable. Others not. Ray is legendary.
In anyone else's voice, I wouldn't love this nearly as much as I do.
Rating early albums is challenging given the format of "albun" then -- that said, Ray Charles impressed here with his delivery and infectious energy.
Pretty decent
As a fellow blind person, I liked this a lot
:)
Who hurt you, Ray Charles Best Song: I Love You So Much it Hurts Rating: 8/10 Stars: 4
Great jazz but dang this was a hard listen! Some seriously gloomy relational subject matter and distressing vocals that I'd have a difficult time repeating in the future. Almost want to give this full stars but I just can't bring myself to put this in the same category as the more uplifting albums I've heard thus far.
This hybrid of soul and country by Ray Charles works really well. It's very American in the best way. I do miss some highlights here and there and think that big band and strings could've harmonised better here and there.
Amazing, but a bit repetitive
loved the large variety of instruments on this and ray charles sounded brilliant on it as well, very good music
I rarely have time or mood for a music like this, but when I have I listen to Ray. He was really good!
Lost some of the groundbreaking nature of a soul musician doing country songs 60 years later but still sounds good.
Ray Charles' fine voice shines through every time.
jazzy and great orchestration, ts js so tuff
85
More Ray Charles please, less dad prog-rock and weird punk records nobody remembers.
Great stuff, timeless listening.
It is rather schmaltzy but if anyone enjoys some well done schmaltz I think it's me. Who have I become. This is a fascinating album historically and I know because I watched all 16 hours of the Ken Burns Country Music documentary. AMA.
I've never listened to this album, but I knew one or two songs (6). No one does it like Ray Charles, but for a double album there are not enough bangers on this one.
Easy, smooth listening. Lovely arrangements, and nice piano and singing. Interesting history behind it as well, never would've guessed the background.
not bad! pretty chill actually
Me animó el día que flipas. Hay temas que suenan a las puertas del cielo. De repente te hittea un último agudo y dices qué cabrón. Fantásticas vibes.
I don’t have much to say here. Just so good, so many classics, so many great nonpopular tracks, bangers. It’s all songbook stuff and I’m not gonna lie and say I’d go out of my way to listen to it but this is a high four. Just good music.
what a beautiful bluesy big band type album. Charles' voice is just... immaculate, and the songs with the huge string sections too just make my heart feel so fuzzy inside. A LITTLE too long tho, the same vibes for 75 mins sometimes rocks but if there was maybe 2-3 songs less this might be one of the greatest albums i've heard on here.
Beautiful album, Charles's so smooth and rounded voice backed by a stunning arrangement makes music to my ears. It was such a nice album that I had to listen to the second volume.
Good and consistent across the board, nothing too memorable. The album doesn’t feel country western sonically, though it does have the genre’s lyricism. Production leans toward a big brass sound.
1. Bye Bye Love - 10 What a monumental track! The background singers add so much flavour before Ray's absolutely stunning vocals. Lyrically it's brilliant and the big band jazz sound is so excellent. Massive enjoyment throughout this track. 2. You Don't Know Me - 8 Lyrically superb, it's a brilliant slow moving love song. Ray's vocals on this track are incredible. 3. Half As Much - 7 Lyrically it's very good and Ray sounds fantastic on it. It's not a track that will blow you away but it is still a very good one. 4. I Love You So Much It Hurts - 6 It's a decent song but it's a bit like a lullaby and it's definitely not as strong as the opening three tracks. 5. Just A Little Lovin' (Will Go A Long Way) - 7 Good track with some awesome brass in between Ray's excellent vocals. Lyrically it's very good as well. 6. Born to Lose - 5 This would be the pass over track on the album. It's not bad but it's really nothing phenomenal. There are definitely better love songs on the album. 7. Worried Mind - 10 There's a lot of similarities between the way this sounds on the strings and in the background vocals and I Can't Stop Loving You. Having said that, what an incredible piano solo in the middle of the track. This is so enjoyable. So incredibly enjoyable. Phenomenal track. 8. It Makes No Difference Now - 8 Superb track with some awesome lyrics. It's very very slow but the lower pitch of Ray's voice is excellent at keeping you pinned during the slower moments interrupted by only some excellent big band style brass. 9. You Win Again - 6 Strings are good on it as are the vocals, I'm just not a huge fan of the lyrics or the way the outro vocals come in. The song should have closed with Ray. 10. Careless Love - 5 Not a great track despite some incredibly strong vocals from Ray. You really get to hear the full range he had on this track very well. It's just not anything lyrically or instrumentally fantastic. It's the pass over track on the B side. 11. I Can't Stop Loving You - 12 One of the best songs ever written. Period. This song is just a masterpiece; a complete and total masterpiece. When the Metropolis anime movie used this track in it, that was the first time I had heard it. It fit so well in the movie, it fits so well on the album, and it fits in any top songs collection. It's supremely moving, aided by the best strings on the album and guided through the peaks and troughs of Ray's voice. Incredible track. 12. Hey, Good Looking - 10 Brilliant swing type track. Excellent brass on the track really help the fun loving vibes of Ray's voice and the brilliant lyrics that make the song a very enjoyable track. Average Rating: 7.83 Adjusted to 5-Point Scale: 3.92 Rounded Up: 4 Stars
Very enjoyable. What a voice.
Enjoyable
Понравилось. Мой музыкальный кругозор ещё расширился. 6,5 из 10.
C'est bon, mais un peu long. Et un peu répétitif quand même.
Quality. Loads of standards and versions of tunes I hadn't heard before.
Soul / Blues / Swing. Here in 2025 this album is a window into another time. Beautiful songs and arrangements. Ray Charles vocals are silky smooth. His piano playing marvellous. Timeless.
I think I mentioned on the Stevie Wonder album I listened to that he had the greatest voice, maybe greatest love song voice idk, but Ray has THE best voice period. It's so distinct, and rich, and soulful that it elevates any song he sings. What is it with blind pianists sounding beautiful? Candidly when I saw how long the album was u was concerned, but my lord it flew by and I hardly checked the time. I listened to a Heaven 17 album recently that felt endless, this was longer and felt shorter. Goes to show making a good album with good songs matters (and being Ray Charles). Great stuff, solid 4
the title seems missleading? I‘d call this jazz I think. Lots of classics and Ray Charles sounds fantastic.
Now this is some damn good Fallout-core (you cannot stop me from identifying songs that are Fallout-core), especially songs like Half As Much. Not a ton to say about this album, but reworking country/western songs in the classic R&B, soul, and jazz styles is great.
Love the horns
Great recording. I'm sure the cultural impact of this one in its time was significant, though to today's ears hearing an artist in a different genre or style is more the norm. Doesn't take away from my enjoyment on this one. Just a fantastic, easy listening release from an American icon
Ray Charles is such a joy. Very few musicians can radiate soul the way he does. Although I do prefer the bluesier side of Ray this compilation was very enjoyable. The big band sound applied to classic songs works and works well. I hope to see Ray on this list again.
- bombastic intro damn - can kinda hear the you are my sunshine riff in there (bye bye love) - song already sounds like a time capsule smoooth - old disney movie love story vibes really nice - man instrumentals were something else back in the day - very cozy - that saxophone is *chefs kiss* - perfect winter album from these songs so far, so nostalgic and warm - whole album is so romantic, so much yearning very sweet album, brings me to another place and time. i was expecting country but am pleasantly surprised! how can you not love something as sweet as this?
I don't think I stopped moving the whole time this album was playing.
Phenomenal. Nobody does it like Ray
Nice
Cowboy Carter of its era
It's really good, especially in its uptempo moments. A few too many slow ones for me but it's still a pleasurable listen
It wasn't for me, but that's not the point.
A 4 or 5
I’m having trouble rating this one. On the one hand, each song is really beautiful and Charles reimagined a lot of these songs in really creative ways. I didn’t see him being so jazzy, I’m used to his R&B or soul hits. I wonder about the crossover power of this album and its importance to race in the 60s. I think this is a great album, but I think I like his uptempo stuff more.
The heart break songs made me cry, a bit too close to the bone. But he has a classic sound.
Smooth. Enjoyable. Love the blues. Would listen again. Honestly reminds me of the Elvis Christmas album
(Duplicate) I wasn’t familiar with most of these standards, but when I was, I was amazed at how much Charles made these songs his own. An excellent themed album that manages not to feel like a gimmick.
Second time this one came up but the review remains the same. Love it, just about every second
Very of its time, but in a good way. My biggest knock is that the album is way too long and can't quite support itself with the tracks.
It says its country but its not really. Anyhow, I liked it.
Some of the arrangements are dated and a little corny (especially some of the background vocals) but my god, Ray Charles's vocals are just amazing. He really knew how to make a song his own. Favorites: Bye Bye Love, Just a Little Lovin' Would I listen to it again: Yes
Real smooth
This was pretty good, didn't even sound modern for 1962 to me though
I'll start by saying that I don't think this is a fantastic album. It's a solid 3.5 star album for me. But, I think this is a good album and a historic one that punches back against white musicians stealing black sounds (*cough* Elvis *cough*) by doing better things with the genre that was originally the White one when recording got started. So, for that I'm rounding it up to four stars.
Mostly superb. Agree with other comments on schmaltzy background vocals on many tracks, but it’s old records. So I have to dock it a star for that. Otherwise it’s pretty great all around. Great singing. Great piano playing and great charts.
Pretty chill
Here Ray has taken old country standards and freshened them by using a mix of pop and jazz bringing them to a wider audience. As someone who used to play in a Hillbilly band (his words) he always knew he could do a good job with them. And he did.
Not my favorite Ray Charles album but with that being said one can never go on listening to his raspy voice, amazing piano playing, and superb orchestral accompaniment. One of the greats of all time.
Just barely a 4. Nothing extraordinary just that I kinda enjoyed listening to the entire album. Easy but chill
On Spotify it was the deluxe version that's 2 disc and is more than an hour long. I wasn't planning on watching it until I realized it was the deluxe version and the real album was the first disc, so I decided to finally listen, and it was so good that I ended up listening to like half of the second disc without even knowing
A concerning number of women are willing to take advantage of a blind man.
Even though it runs long and starts to feel a little tired, this is a very well-executed and enjoyable album with a cool concept. Much like parents disguising vegetables in a dish so their picky child will unwittingly eat them, it turns out that hiding country music in jazz and blues makes it palatable to me
Can't be mad at it. This sounds very nice
Ray Charles is classic for a reason!
Really lovely stuff. This is an album I’d throw on if I was hosting a dinner party. It’s full of classic jazzy, soulful sounds, but in service of recognizably “country” songs, and it’s a great combo. It’s a little long, and not something I personally am gonna put on very often, but otherwise it’s an excellent album. Must-listen #215.
Sometimes context really matters. Without knowing more about this album, I might have thought "OK, I get it. Ray Charles is one of the greats of his era. He's got a great voice and this is some fine R&B. Not really my thing but cool." I might have been slightly confused by the title though. Clearly this isn't a country western album. Digging a bit deeper, this album becomes a lot more interesting. Released during the height of the civil rights movement, Charles dared to cross traditional racial lines in the music industry and make country standards his own. He didn't do this to prove any particular point, he simply loved the music and wanted to use his creative control the way he wanted to. But that in itself is a powerful statement that we don't need to confine ourselves to specific boxes, whether that means genres of music or seats on public buses. In doing recording this album, Charles raised his own profile, challenged society a little more, and affected the direction of several genres all at once. This is more than simply a Ray Charles album. The significance is huge here. It's not one I'd personally listen to much as it's not my style but it absolutely deserves its place on this list.
It's so interesting what is called "Country"-- much like Lil Nas X and Beyoncé more recently, Ray is redefines country, and it's brilliant.
This may sound dated to today's ears but having lived through the era when this type of music was popular, this was an excellent album and I enjoyed it. Ray was a great performer and I welcome listening to his music.
È innegabile che ray charles abbia influenzato in maniera significativa il soul, l’rnb e anche il jazz. Quest’album è sicuramente un grande album nonostante io preferisca, per quanto riguarda il jazz, un approccio più “freddo” alla miles davis o john coltrane.
bello, però a un certo punto pesato un po’. Mi sono sentita a tratti in un film Disney
ma oggettivamente che gli vuoi dire dai
Ну как же это красиво и хорошо Под тëплый вечер самое то
It's excellent, great playing, great singing, well recorded. Could go up to a 5 in the future.
Legendary
A compilation of some classic songs, sung with Ray's commonly known soulful voice.
I enjoyed that.
Great Ray Charles
Great takes though it may sound dated to modern ears, the music is amazing.