Reviews (page 4 of 13)
There is a lot in here that reminds me of my grandfather. I'm probably not going to listen to it again, but it does make me happy
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
Favorite track(s): You Don't Know Me, I Love You So Much It Hurts, Hey, Good Lookin'
Interesting versions of classic country songs, but the background vocals just make it sound SO old
Me gustó, muy bueno y animado
5/10
大編成によるしめやかなRhythm & Blues、カントリーで聞いていて落ち着く。
I'm no expert, but these were not the sounds of country and western music.
The original version of this album was actually 5 volumes. Ray was trying to compete for the longest album ever but couldn’t quite reach Houmous & Chutneys infamous album ‘Longevity & Coco Pops’ a whopping 19 volumes. So Ray cut it back down to 2 volumes. 2.5 16/24 Don’t Tell Me Your Trouble
Nojuu, nojuu. Ihan okei. Ei syletä, ei himoita.
Mukavaa jatsia, ei normisoitossa mutta edelleen taustalla toimii aivan hyvin.
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.
LOVE IT!
🤷♂️
I absolutely hated this one, literally every last thing about it lol. Potentially part of the problem, and this is definitely a me problem, is that all I know of Ray Charles is his appearance in The Blues Brothers. I love that performance of Shake A Tail Feather and I was expecting something more like that.
Love this :) (if you showed me any of these songs and told me it was in the soundtrack of the Fallout tv show I would believe you LOL, not a bad thing just makes me like it more)
Too slow and old for me. Second volume was the better of the two though.
3/5
This was fun! Didn't bother finishing it though
More like Gay Charles
not my vibe
a classic sound, but too long and repetitive highlight: Careless Love
OK yes! This was terrific. Music that probably everyone likes on some level. The performance, the horns, the piano, everything was coming together in a smooth American sound and I'm here for it.
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 :)
Multiple great songs
“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.
sorry this all sounds like the same song...i got bored
listened twice and was disappointed
Beautifull classics. A bit too long which makes it have filler. But really enjoyed it. 1. Someday (You'll want me to want you) 2. No letter today 3. Bye Bye Love
Wanted to like this more than I did as I quite liked the concept. However Ray’s incredible voice is not enough to save this overlong overindulgent collection of jazz songs so smooth they immediately slide out of one’s memory. The worst songs include horrifically saccharine sweeping strings and that awful sort of choir that has a completely indeterminate number of singers. The more up beat big band tracks aren’t too bad but again there’s just tooooo much.
Ray Charles – Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music (1962) On Day 92, I found this project to be a decent and consistently great listen. It’s easy to see its historical influence and how it became such a landmark act. The first half, centered around big band and swing, gave me three standout tracks: "Bye Bye Love," "You Don't Know Me," and "Careless Love." The second, more "conscious" half of the LP really struck me at the perfect time. In the midnight quiet, tracks like "Take These Chains From My Heart" and "Your Cheatin' Heart" gelled perfectly with my lonesome mood. Ray’s vocal triumph and the immaculate production make this an incredibly cohesive body of work. A definitive 4.5/5.
This album was okay, but possibly not the best introduction to Ray Charles. A bit slow for my liking. I do love his voice though. I may have to seek out some other albums to see what they are like.
Flott
INCREDIBLE!!!!!! CLASSIC!!!
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.
Never listened to Ray Charles before and I liked this album! The tone was strong throughout and for such a long album it got a bit repetitive at times, but the artistry makes up for it. There are some songs I will revisit.
8.5 loved it!!
This album just sounds like a good day.
Ray Charles is a legend. No doubt there. Unfortunately, this is another album that falls prey to the awful 60s overproduction. The first songs was great, then came the wall of strings and chorus. It's like Lawrence Welk was in the studio with him.
So its Ray Charles and lots of cover songs ... at least its not as long as the Ella Fitzgerald Standards.
Absolute masterpiece, 11/10
Classic/10
Christmas vibes. Not for me.
woah
a bit croony for my tastes
I admire Ray Charles but this is just a bit mediocre to be honest
This feels like an album that could be a 3 on the right day but today I was just not engaged
Another one I've never heard, but knew Ray Charles. And I think this album so far is near perfect. It has upbeat songs, ballads, soaring lyrics and melodies, swinging backing arrangements and soul. It's fun to catch the little bits of other songs Ray uses in his songs on this album.
The album was alright I felt abit dated and not something I would listen to but overall it was ok
I learned by this album that it's important to do a bit of research on why some of these albums are on this list. Ray Charles covering a bunch of country songs sounds kind of mid until you realize that it was the first time a black artist was allowed to call his own shots and mix their own music the way they wanted it. That's phenomenal. Plus, Ray being a blind junky on top of all that, makes this that much more impressive.
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
I liked it fine
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
Country & Western Soul Style. This must have really pissed off all the Confederate rednecks in 1962. Tempted to give it 5 stars for that alone. As it is though a solid 3 stars.
Genre-fusing arrangements highlight vocal prowess, though pacing fluctuates noticeably.
Masterpiece
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.
Apparently Ray Charles took a bunch of Country songs and Un-Countryfied them. It could be an interesting idea but it's not. I don't even think this was "Modern" for 1962. Hey Ray, the 1940's called. They want their Country AND their Western back. So much violin swooning with bad backup singing that you could gag on it. Great music for your Grandma!
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.
Well worth the listen 3.5
messing up country AND western since 1962...
Absolutely fantastic
Of course I loved this - Ray Charles is awesome. Fun to hear “You Don’t Know me,” in particular, which made me picture the scene in Groundhog Day where it’s featured prominently. Anyway, the whole album was great, as expected.
IMHO, this doesn't work well for Charles's vocal talent. Some Big Band swing standards with debatable lyrics and no real vocal challenge. Mediocre music leads to mediocre singing. He could do way better.
Some good songs, but maybe a bit too samey in places.
Great album.
I've found more enjoyment in listening to his singles than I do his full records, as this album doesn't have a definitive standout track to me. That being said, Ray Charles was a powerful musician that you can't help but love, and I really appreciate this album's cultural status of breaking down racial barriers of popular music way back in 1962. I also dig the vocal arrangements on here, they always added a little bit of oomph and emotion.
Estuvo bien, mejor que el anterior que había escuchado y ese ya era bueno, mucho sentimiento y talento de parte del señor 3.5
I get why Ray Charles was a big deal, and while I enjoyed some of the songs on this album, overall I felt, for me personally, many of these songs were too slow. Still, he’s got a great voice and I know on the more upbeat songs I was grooving.
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.
5/10
did not expect to be attacked with jazz at the beginning, very fun and lovely sounding album fav song: Bye Bye Love
sooo pretty
This was monumental at the time. Most of the songs didn't age well, but there are several great songs on here. Pitchfork: 9.2 Rolling Stone: Top 500 Albums #127 Best Songs Bye Bye Love You Don't Know Me You Are My Sunshine Oh, Lonesome Me Your Cheatin' Heart
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.
I found this album to be a lot more conceptually interesting than I found it to be musically interesting. I acknowledge Ray Charles is a talented artist, but this was just not thing. The tempo was just too slow on most songs for my taste. I'll be interested to hear another Ray Charles album that is not just covers of a genre I already don't like. I don't ever see myself revisiting any of these songs, but listening was still an interesting experience. Also if you want to hear a blind black man sing both "I'll be your slave" and "I was once blind, but now I see" this is the album for you. Favorite Track - Bye Bye Love Least Favorite Track - You Don't Know Me ⭐️⭐️
Not sure the larger sound works with these country songs
With the album title I didn't expect it to start off so jazzy.
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
I could see myself listening to this if it was snowy outside and baking cookies with the love of my life. But it's not winter and I'm not in love, so I guess this album wasn't meant to find me yet. I do appreciate this album and Ray Charles' gorgeous voice, but as of now, I do not see myself returning to this anytime soon.
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.
Jake Blues: So, what kind of music do you guys normally have here? Bartender: Oh, we have both kinds - Country and Western. Listening to this reworking of country standards into the big band and soul genres is really not the point of this one. This album had a tangible influence on making country music more mainstream and making black music more palatable to white audiences in the early 1960s. It was an important album in those respects and should be celebrated as such. But musically, it’s very dated and feels repetitive, partly because of the material and partly because of the sheer number of songs and the similarity of the orchestration on them. Much respect to this album, just not going to be listening again.
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.
This was really great. To see how Ray Charles took these traditional country songs and managed to put together an entire album of soul & country songs without managing to lose the sound of either genre was fun. I listened to Volume 1 (since that is the album in the book) and then went back took a listen to Volume 2. There's not much of a difference in quality from one album to the other, so it's not like Ray Charles cherry-picked the songs he does the best. I can't really recommend any certain songs on here, as I would recommend this entire album. Fun listen and sets the standard for other soul & country artists who crossed over in the following 60 years.
I will say that it's pretty ironic listening to an album considered modern in the time of 1962, which now, in 2026, sounds so classic and aged. Still, Ray Charles is an icon in the jazz scene. What he lacks in witty lyrics and meaningful themes he makes up for in his funky tunes and steady singing. At the time, love songs were the most popular, so it's expected that's what he would produce. I wouldn't say this album is anything special, but when considering the time it was released in, it's understandable that it had a major impact in how people viewed jazz and even the grassroots of 'rock' music. Currently, it's not as impactful, not in modern society or even to me personally. It's still a very good listen and well-crafted album though.
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.
Not my bag really but I can respect the musicianship. Lots of feeling blue rhymed with you and lots of songs sound samey, but it was a good thing to experience at least once.
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.
Ray Charles patrí medzi mojich obľúbených hudobníkov, takže žiadnu nezávislú recenziu odo mňa nečakajte. Výborný album.
When RC came up, I thought excellent- I’ll enjoy this one, but I didn’t except a couple of tunes…..
Not a stranger to this one. It’s worth a listen and its influence is very high. But it always runs long for me.
Arrangements are gorgeously done, but Lord give me a key change.
I fully understand why this album is on this list, and how important it was. I also don't want to listen to it again.
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.
Fine. Nothin g memorable.
It’s not really my style but there’s no denying that it’s very well done
Old Ray had me a little worried with that title, but this was more rhythm & blues or big band than country & western…thank Christ
No complaints here - nothing mind blowing, but a worthwhile listen. This album definitely has more of a home on this list than The Triffids or Scritti Politti. 3.5
siempre genio Ray Charles
Interesante. Tal vez no me llega
Beautiful, very quiet feeling, for quiet situations, i would hear it more times and save it
Favorite Song: Bye Bye Love
Very cool but somewhat old fashioned
Country and Western music? Hmm. Volume 2 got sort of close but not really.
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.
This record works like a time machine. Catchy melodies, dance tunes and heartwarming lyrics from an era where it was hard to take musicians out of their confort zone. Lovely record, but to my ears, it works better as background music.
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
After reading the description of him turning country standards into R&B, I was excited. I was underwhelmed. It was boring and slow. Sometimes his wonderful voice or the virtuous piano playing came through, but not often enough. I liked “careless love” Maybe it would have helped if I knew the original songs and hear the changes.
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.
It’s surprising how many musicians I’m finding that I know the names of, but know nothing about. I couldn't even say before listening to this what genre Ray Charles comes under. So listening to this is a completely new experience. Though the album title is a bit misleading. This album is neither modern, country, or western. Anyways, I'll start with my biggest complaint, one that has been repeated for various older albums at this point. It's kind of repetitive. Most songs feel the same, which is kind of to be expected. However, when the album is fairly short and the quality of the songs is as high as it is, it isn't as big of a deal as it is with other album. The sound is great. While it doesn't really feel like country, which may be good or bad depending on who you ask, you can still feel the emotions that come with the best, most honest country music. Ray Charles, of course, was a great singer. The instrumentation elevates his singing to create a very high quality album. The main reason why this album deserves to be on this list is more so about the cultural significance rather than the actual album itself. This thing, as stated earlier, was groundbreaking. So, with every thing in mind, I think this album deserves a light 4/5. Did I need to hear this before I die? Yes
Ei aukea. Tai on siis musana vähän sellaista amerikkalaista vanhahtavaa taustamusaa, esim leffoissa tms mutta en ole tällaista aktiivisesti kuunnellut enkä ehkä tule kuuntelemaankaan. Toki tällaisen soittamiseen ja tallentamiseen 1960-luvulla on pitänyt olla huippumuusikko, jota toki arvostan kovasti. 2/5
vegetables, classical bluesy
Poor lonely Ray. I think I counted 12 girls who had binned him in that album. Music a bit dated fir me, but sympathy allows a 2.
Enjoyed this 😎
too long of an album and not the type of music im into right now. really good music for the time it was made, and undoubtely one of the greatest ever. 3/5, as im not really into this, for me its like meh favorite tracks: just a little loving (will go a long way)
I mean come on
Meh.
Solid old tunes.
It was good. First cd is better than second
Torn between an objective "excellent musicianship, great artist" review and a "slightly schmaltzy treatment of the songs" review. I do love his voice.
Delete every other song to leave the upbeat ones and I'd dig this.
I like the songs individually but I do not enjoy as an album.
Hyvin soittaa bändi, jossain vaiheessa kappaleet alkavat kuulostaa toisiltaan. Sanoitukset liian yksipuolisia.
281/1001. Am I allowed not to like this album? No matter how good some of the faster versions are, the slower ballads take me to some idealised version of 50s-60s america, where housewives wear high heels, dad makes money enough to buy two cars for the family, two kids, (a boy and a girl of course) eat their Kellogg's because that prevents masturbation. You put sugar on top of your bread, bacon, candy, and potatoes, and every day ends by the campfire where some cowboys sing in harmony. I never thought it would be a Ray Charles record which would make me write these kinds of lines.
Country/western music through the lens of Jazz, Blues, and R&B. Given that these genres share musical it makes sense that a concept like this would work and Ray Charles executes it to perfection. Charles manages to put these songs through a different musical lense without having them lose their country/western core. I don't know many artists who could pull this off so effectively. 4.5/5 that I have no issue rounding up to a 5/5.
Was ok
Man nezin kāpēc bija cits priekšstats par Ray Charles
It's Ray Charles. Wonderful album, but probably not his best.
Modern it is not. Funny to think that once it was. Great vocals and cosy big band vibes.
Nice voice, nice concept, but the big band approach is slow and very saccharine. Sounds like a home furnishing store soundtrack.
Interesting that he has an album essentially made up of cover songs. Of course, he can work magic with pretty much any tune. And his work here is a prime example. But again, there's only a top limit I can give to an album that relies so heavily on the work of others. I think it's probably a 3 or 2 as is, so I'll jump down a peg due to them being covers.
I did not care for this. I mean, Ready Charles is one of the greats, but everything on this album just sounds like an old-timey Christmas carol.
I loved his vocals this album definitely sounds like it is from the 60s but in the best way possible
Beautiful, in its classic way
Such great standards.
Enjoyable. Not really what I’m ‘into’, but I can appreciate the inventiveness of changing the style of country songs.
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
Fue providencial que puse justo este disco para limpiar toda la casa.
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.
"Modern" Sounds. I can see why this would slap in the 50's at ballrooms, then I see this album is from 1962. Not my style but worked.
"Bye Bye Love" is a mood, damn.
C'est moederne oui
It’s good. It’s long. volume 1 is enough. Some great piano and vocals and musicianship…his audacity is amazing. This album matters. But it’s also kind of slow moving
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.
My father was a huge county music fan so I heard the originals of most of these songs but these fully orchestrated versions are on another level.
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
Really enjoyed this. Good cozy listening
Grande cuore e notevole talento, merita 4 stelle !
Chille achtergrondmuziek, maar zou het niet heel snel opzoeken om actief naar te luisteren. Hij heeft wel echt een mooie stem zeg! En ik kan me goed voorstellen dat dit veel impact heeft gehad
This is just great..Ray Charles is one those artists whose catalouge is so big I dont know where to start and this is a great entry.. i didnt realise how country this is also - so this for me is the real " Cowboy Carter", I Can't Stop Lovig You is gorgeous
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?
Estuvo muy bien. Suena muy sofisticado, te baja mil cambios. Le pongo un 7.
Absolutely love the orchestration on this album it reminds me of when I was a kid in the 60's.
It was objectively well performed and well done, it’s just not my taste
Great performances
Its Ray He no great He no bad He Ray
Very long album. A lot of the songs sound the same by the end. But a few gems, and Ray’s voice always shines through.
Good melancholic blues, but not that great
I had no idea Ray Charles was a big band jazz front man! Absolutely nothing in that title is accurate.
Love this. Western style. Reminiscent of big band 60s. Ray Charles voice is gorgeous
Knall! Farlig nært en 5'er. Kanskje ved neste gjennomlytt
Ray har mye annet i baggen som er betraktelig bedre enn dette. Hadde kanskje funka bedre rundt juletider.
Liker sjangeren, men denne traff ikke så godt.
Kom meg ikke lengre enn spor 3. Holy shit så sykt snork.
Et album som humper av gårde i et jevnt tempo. Forglemmelig, traust, gammeldags. Dette er musikk det stinker gamlehjem av.
lovely, added to my calm music
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 love this album.
Eurgh I feel like a cultureless attentionspanless void. This just didn’t set in at all for me, I could barely distinguish from track to track and I just really don’t like big band swingy stuff. That said there are some lovely moments and he has such a smooth voice. What I have really learnt in the last few days is that albums should be 11 tracks max. Sorry Ray.
Was fun and Jazzy, nice background music
At first this was relaxing background music you could put on and not have to think too much about it or what it means or anything. And then by disk 2 you’re tired of it. 24 tracks?? Come on. Too jazzy
Yeah it was nice to have on in the background for a little bit but then I did end up just turning it off out of both a bit of boredom and also repetitiveness. I'm sure it's wonderful to some and makes a lot of people smile, but sadly not me.
Jazzy, heartfelt, and fun. Just an overall good time with a nice balance of upbeat and melancholy that spans a nice gamut of love songs. Very easy listen
I didnt feel country vibes from this. very soulful. I love soul music!!!! 8/10
#4 Never heard before. Cool, it felt like living in a Mad Men episode for an hour.
Talented artists can cover a song written within a genre they are not typically associated with and make us hear something new and different there. GENIUS artists, like Ray Charles, can take songs in just about any genre and make them something all their own. In a 1998 Fresh Air interview with Charles, host Terry Gross said this about as clearly as I can imagine it being said: "[W]hen I was young, some of your country songs were really big hits. You know, like "Born To Lose" and "You Don't Know Me" . . .. I didn't think of them as country songs. I thought of them as Ray Charles records." There are great songs here, written by great artists and with a history of great performances by other artists. But once you hear them on this album, it's virtually impossible to think of them as anything other than "Ray Charles songs."
If this were a single album, it would have been quite solid, Ray Charles is a legend no denying that and his band does bring it. But there's too much filler on here. A passing grade but it could have been more.
Would listen again. I liked the first half of the album the most. Chill vibes.
not my cup of tea
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.
This is a tough one. I'm sure it should probably be more than three, but I'm just not seeing where I can really give it more than that.
It's a Ray Charles album. I'm not really sure what else to say here! His songwriting is good and his voice is distinguishable, but at the end of the day this isn't my preferred kind of music.
Great album and very important at 5he time of its release marking one of the first crossover ps
you cant see how good this is
Um álbum interessante, apenas. As partes com big bands são mais atrativas do que as com cordas, que soam meio datadas, assim como os backing vocals.
Ранее слушая очень старые соул и рок-альбомы 60-х было очень тяжко дотерпеть до конца. Но этот альбом Чарльза очень приятно порадовал
Great American music. Ray Charles is the best!
няшно аренбишно зажигательно вот ю сеееей
The historical and cultural significance of this album had more of an impact on me than the album itself. Ray Charles put together and amazing team and a beautiful album. It was wonderful to listen to, but I don't see myself revisiting it often.
Ray Charles out here proving that Country Music can be good if you just remove the country. LOL
rey charles
oh HELL YEAH BROOOO
Reasonable. A little repetitive in places, but a great voice.
Pleasant music, he has a good voice. I enjoyed many of the songs, but some were a bit slow. Easy listening.
Jamie Foxworthy of a 4.0
It was okay. Actually it was entirely what I expected from Ray Charles, but i was hoping it would be a little more twangy based off of the title.
not really my thing but not bad, my grandmother loved this stuff...i remember her singing "hey good looking" all the time lol
I'm not sure about modern - his cover of Bye Bye Love sounds more old-fashioned than the Everly Brothers version. The backing vocals in particular really date this, but Charles' own voice is timeless.
Bit slow and borders on boring, some good covers but not very ray Charles
nicht so richtig was für mich leider :I aber glaube liegt auch am genre
Lots of cinematic moments in this one. It got a little samey in the middle, but this is by far the most time I've spent listening to Ray and overall, had a great time.
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.
It's very long and kind of one note, so much so that it had looped back and played 4 songs before I realized it had started over
She doesnt want you bro
Absolutely incredible album. Easy 5 stars.
This was good! I enjoyed the songs and the vocals. Was a fun listen.
Amazing all around
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
Don't hit the road, hit the sidewalk. 3/5
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.
Enjoyed very nice vibes. Very classic/old style - jazz + country.
Very sweet
"You don't know me" is a very special song, also, Ray Charles is always going to be top of any list.
Sorry. I do Not want to hear the album a second time.
Magic stuff
I love you, Ray, and these are the best versions of these songs I've heard but I'll never listen to this again.
Legenda! Mutta löytyy parempiakin levyjä. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Kyllä ennen tehtiin kunnollista.
Ray Charles! I liked the tracks like "It Makes No Difference Now" that were mainly him singing with a horn section, and the others with him on piano. As we all already know from other stuff he recorded, he was an incredibly gifted musician. However, I just couldn't deal with the strings and backup singers on a number of the songs. If I had a higher tolerance for the droopy music of the 50s and early 60s I'd give it 4 stars for the songs and its importance in the context of the period, but what can I say. So, 3 stars. Looking forward to other records by him.
Ray osaa kaiken musalajin ja tämä ei ole poikkeus. Soulia löytyy tästäkin.
Lot of music going on here, probably too much if we're being honest.
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
4 - BAD
No particular comments other than yes I enjoyed
Chill Ray is the best Ray. I just wish those kinds of songs were more frequent. Favorite track: You Don't Know Me
Classy
Ray Charles is awesome. 5/5
It's something. Look, I like the culture, and he does have a nice voice, but I wouldn't call it "Modern" anymore. The choir cuts through my head. I'm not a giant fan.
Pretty decent. Ray Charles is good, and classic songs. Not an all time favorite, but fun.
This had much more big band in it, and less r'n'b, than I'd expected. Most of the songs here seem to be standards, independently of Ray Charles's treatments of them.
Je n'avais jamais entendu Ray Charles auparavant (disons plutôt que j'en ai forcément entendu sans le savoir), donc j'étais plutôt content de profiter de cette occasion de le découvrir un peu. Et dis donc, quelle découverte ! En principe, je devrais dire que c'est dommage que ça ne soit pas du matériel original, mais en me renseignant sur l'album, je me rends compte que c'est au contraire ce qui fait sa force. Ray Charles a fait le choix d'interpréter à sa façon de country, largement associée aux blancs, à la sauce soul ce qui d'après Wikipédia est une décision lourde de sens, le tout en plein mouvement pour les droits civiques. Alors oui, dans ce contexte, on parle d'un album osé aux implications socio-politiques fortes. Et moi, ça me plaît. Mais cet album, c'est pas juste des choix artistiques osés, c'est aussi une interprétation en béton. Ray Charles a un charisme qui transforme ces chansons en ses propres titres. J'aurais jamais deviné que c'était un album de reprises si on me l'avait fait écouter hors contexte. Et il est accompagné d'une chorale qui souligne élégamment les titres de cet album, c'est excellent. C'est le 57e album que j'écoute et le premier à qui je mets 5 étoiles alors que je ne le connaissais pas avant qu'il arrive dans la liste.
Too long an album for me.
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.
Quite simply a perfect album. Want an album for a romantic moment? Here you go. Want a soundtrack to drown your sorrows to? This. Want to hear a gorgeous examination of the human experience? This album fits the bill. Can't recommend it enough.
51. atmospheric
Starts with a bang. Charles is a guy I always think of as old, but here he is only 32. Great voice and instrumentation. Not really for me though. 3.5 rounded down Heard before? Some ? Owned: No 47/185 (25%) Will I get: No
Incredibly sappy.
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
When does the country part start? Listen...LISTEN. Ray Charles is incredible. Timeless voice drenched in character and experience - truly a feast for my ear holes. And some of these tracks are indisputable classics - elegance of a bygone ear... BUT it just doesn't strike me. I'd take this record on loop for eternity vs being punished by public airwaves, but just atmosphere tunes for this guy.
Even though the big band, orchestra and dreamy backing vocals is more swing band and less "country and western music", Ray Charles' voice is so strong, sincere and emotive, so I'll forgive the possible misleading album title. My favorite tracks are ones with minimal backing vocals like 'Lonesome Me', I find myself wanting one-on-one swing time with Ray and the 1950s Disney-style dream girls kind of ruin the vibe.
First listen
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
A solid ok
Pa ono, sladak album i ipak je to Ray Charles. I dalje mi je malo premellow za slušati u komadu. 3/5, 6/10
3/10
I loved this. This is music guaranteed to put me in a good mood. It reminds me of growing up and the music I would listen to with my mom. 5/5
Two jazz albums in a row? I'm still on the search for finding a single worthwhile Jazz album - one I can clearly understand to be better than the majority of jazz albums, but so far the music tossed up by this list has fallen short. I've actually hear this one before, and it took is parpy nonsense. Yes, I know this one is less jazz than Jazz, but still... The best thing about this album is the fact that it proves no amount of pleasant vocals or modernizing can ever turn shit Country music into good music.
Of it’s time. Some good songs but I can’t see myself going back to this one
Ray Charles is great.
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.
I'm not a fan of albums composed of cover songs in the first place, particularly songs from the only genre of music I dislike. At least Ray Charles is a good singer. Favorite Track: "I Can't Stop Loving You".
мед для ушей
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.
I guess me and my parents' aren't ready for that yet. But my grandparents are gonna love it.
Jazzz again
If someone tried to make this record today it would be John Legend signing Morgan Wallen and Jellyroll songs.
Better than expected! Easy listening
Great singing but the lyrics are really same-y and I lost interest quickly. The kind of album to appreciate but not really listen through often
Not for me
Ray Charles is undoubtedly a talented singer and musician but the big band background of this double album does not serve him well.
Not bad but not for me
Charmoso porém muito grande
Classic!
I like the artist, but not this album. ★★★
Music you'd hear at the best dinner party of your life
'Afraid and shy, I let my chance go by / A chance that you might love me too.' Tho there's so much more of this record that's essential not just for the learning of it but the pleasure of it, that line, as Ray sings it, is, for me, one of the great moments of the American arts. Perhaps it's that I'd never have thought to describe his voice as 'afraid' or 'shy,' tho it may be exactly that: the way he pulls and pushes, toils and invents, evinces the elements of fear and introversion. In other words, soul, even at its most upbeat and extroverted, is the cry of inwardness achieving innerness. Ray didn't just possess the power to reinvent country and western music as black art: he changed music. The liminality of the human voice now had its expression.
Album #38 Ray Charles: Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music Obviously, Ray Charles is a legend, and the songs he is covering and repurposing are also iconic; yet this album just fails to captivate me. Funnily enough, an album being marketed on the back of turning classics into modern-sounding songs becomes outdated very quickly. If this album concept were to come out now, instead of Ray Charles turning classic Western and Country songs into ‘modern’ soul and R&B songs, it would be something like Taylor Swift covering Fiona Apple songs and turning them into hyper-pop, or Imagine Dragons covering Smashing Pumpkins and turning it into stomp-clap. My point is that modernity is an empty concept and ever-fleeting; it is impossible for something to remain modern. One moment, a sound is innovative and fresh, then the next, it is played out and corny. That is why the classic albums which engage me the most are those that attempted to establish something new rather than relying on what the ‘modern’ sounds of the time were. The only artist I can think of who accomplished that would be David Bowie, as he essentially just adapted his style to whatever was cool at the time, though that's more to do with him having his finger on the pulse of the culture, rather than trying to emulate the popular music of the time. For what it is, this album is obviously important and impressive, yet I really just have no desire to listen to it again for whatever reason. Best Songs: I Can’t Stop Loving You, Bye Bye Love, You Don’t Know Me Worst Song: Hey Good Lookin’ Score Out of 10: 5
Not really for me