Reviews (page 6 of 12)
Relaxing bops 🎵
I love Ray Charles. Great orchestration and performances.
Klassischer, sinfonischer Jazz. Gute Musik zum Kuscheln und vor dem Kamin liegen. Erinnert auch an Winterliche Weihnacht.
Glad to finally have listened to this album. Love all the band pieces and the wide range of styles it covers.
Based off the first track I thought this was going to be an album of classic country western songs done in Ray Charles' signature style of piano based blues. Bye bye love, was a great start to this album. I didn't recognize any of the other songs, but Ray's piano playing really makes this whole album. The whole thing just rocks. Inreally enjoyed this album
Good album. Songs blend into each other almost too much. Favorites: Worried Mine, You Win Again, I Can't Stop Loving You, Your Cheatin' Heart.
Smooth classics
Fantastic
Great way to feel like I'm in 1930s. nice a excited songs, very romantic
Classic. I like the pieces that leaned towards swing.
-mixes country and folk with R&B, pop, and jazz seamlessly. no point during the album in which i felt like it was "doing too much" -everything on this album feels effortless, Ray Charles's voice is hypnotic and layers beautifully on top of the backing vocals. however, the way the background vocals often echo Charles's can get annoying when listening to the album in full -while the album is cohesive in sound, most of the tracks are able to stand out from each other -the lyrics are incredibly personal, making the experience of listening intimate; which contrasts well with how loud and layered the instruments are on tracks like - Charles's vocals and the band are harmonious, and the string sections on tracks like You Don't Know Me and Your Cheatin' Heart have a charming back and forth with his voice -the album trails off a bit at the end -4/5
Great Music. Romantic Beautiful Sounds. Easy listen and with the right atmosphere its perfect! listened it while working and it was snowing so it made sense. 4 Stars cuz its not really a Studio Album but its definetely great fking Music!
Sensacional
Classic
now that i know other people can read this i will attempt to be less unhinged. i wanted to make an elaborate warm meal while listening to this. rom com credits music which admittedly i am hook line and sinker for. like the front half better than the back half. enjoyed myself, sue me
not something i’d normally listen to but i enjoyed
What amazes me is that what was viewed as such a stylistic, and genre, leap sounds so natural and honest…I suppose that’s a measure of his creative genius
Just sounded a little mid. More western than country music, kinda felt christmassy in some sense which I did enjoy.
Love Ray Charles but not a massive fan of country & western music. He does it justice and I like the orchestral spin on some of the country classics.
chill background music
smooth, relaxing, charming, happy. the only downside is that i would use this as background music, not for intentional listen - but really good for it.
Really good. Really really good.
Solid.
I'm not sure how often I may go back to this album, due to the length and that I'm not so into R&B. However, there were some great tracks on this double-disc that I was really into. I believe it was "It Makes No Difference Now" that really surprised me. I'm also not a big fan of Charles's voice, but I do have a lot of respect for what he did with this album, both musically and culturally, doing all these covers of white country singer's songs that would get a new audience interested in a black singer's music in 1962.
1960s vibe
Not my usual style of music but if you want to hear some really good music from the 50's this is absolutely a good choice.
Awesome version of You Are My Sunshine!
Pretty slow and sad. Not my thing, but that being said, Ray Charles was a truly unique talent
What a joy to the ears. What thought provoking messages. This album marks a moment in the history of music. Total joy.
This is the kind of challenge I was hoping for but also not prepared for with this project. How to rate an album that is quite clearly and objectively beautiful and essential, but so far outside my own wheelhouse that I’ve never heard it before and probably won’t put it into regular rotation. It feels daft to underrate it based on my own ignorance but pretentious to just slap on a 5. But I thoroughly enjoyed the listen, at times spine tingling and heart wrenching. Musically excellent and vocally delightful. While I may not put it into regular rotation, when it does next come up, I know I’ll be very happy to spend more time with it. ‘Midnight’ gave me goose bumps. 3/1001
Many classic songs which I knew only the cover versions from.
This was interesting.
Many standout songs and a wide variety of blues/jazz/"oldies". This is an enjoyable album.
J’ai pas eu le temps de le finir, mais c’est de la bonne zique
I love Ray Charles, album is ok
I have a lot of respect for Ray Charles for making this album. The racial implications at the time must have been substantial. That being said it’s a cover album and many of the originals are better versions.
Very good, obviously a little generic in terms of sound but still good
Absolute Perfect Way
very warm and full sounding. good stuff.
Great album.
Simply lovely
The well known musician the world over died in his house in California of complication resulting of liver cancer(failure) on 2004. One months' time from then, his final regend album, Genuis Loves Company was released.
Liked it. Sinatra christmasy 60s vibes. Nice old retro jazzy music. Ray is also amongst people that i probably should've known before. Bye bye love I've already heard in the Simon & Garfunkel album. For sure adding this album to my retro playlist. 7/10
I like it. Jazz.
I really like how those helpful ladies sing the song title to start each song so i know what song they're about to do. As a super busy person, this saves me a lot of time in my day to day life. Otherwise a pleasant collection of reworked country classics, Ray has a great voice and it was overall a nice listen.
uhm... Ray that doesnt sound very modern...
Just really beautiful. Might be outdated on todays tempo of songs but its still a beautiful one.
RETRO!
Great songs, great voice. Quietly slipped by in the background whilst I was working which is not a bad thing at all.
More like “TRADITIONAL Sounds in Country and Western Music” amirite
Unlike aftermath, I loved that this album had a consistent theme. I had to listen to it a few times to get a better idea of it. On Spotify volumes one and two are combined. I think this is a bad decision. After listening to them separately I understand why “vol 1” is on the list. I love hearing Rays interpretation of these old country songs. No one else could give these songs the big band treatment and make it work. I think my favourite songs are the sad ones (this makes sense, those are my favourite country songs too). Worried mind was a big highlight. Big band songs like “just a little loving, will go a long way” sound great too. Great sax solo. The reason I give it four stars is why I would give “vol 2” 2 stars. I think the term is overproduction, sometimes the band, the chorus, AND the strings, can overwhelm the song itself. (Caveat, live, I bet it’s amazing, but at home you only have two speakers).
I love that "modern sounds" is such a moving target. Ray Charles is being modern for the time, but that same sound is so vintage now after over 60 years since its release. The voice of Ray Charles has been so incorporated into pop ("what you say" is almost exclusively associated with him as a catch-phrase), he has remained as timeless as Sinatra.
I never listen to this type of music by myself but I quite enjoyed it!
Usually an album like this would not come across my radar but this was pretty good. Although most of the songs are quite slow, some of the soul songs were really good. Favorite Song(s): "Bye Bye Love", "Careless Love", "Don't Tell Me Your Troubles"
Now that’s music. The voice complements the instruments and the songs are real music. Jazz has soul. Not like today’s garbage where the voice is the whole song supported by a boring braindead note or chord. And going back to Billy Joel who we heard a week ago, one of my favorite songs from The Bridge album, is a duet with Ray called My Baby Grand.
Geggjuð plata
So good, really nice vibe. Can see the jazz backing and pop melodies over that that set the stage for artists like stevie wonder.
This was fun! I think country and western music has evolved since it was recorded. :)
I don’t have time to write a full review but I liked this a lot I felt like i was in a great old Hollywood movie! Beaut vibes
Good album
Honestly really really good, and a great listen
Earnest and lush
Can definitely appreciate it's importance, and the conceit of the album feels pretty audacious for '62, but the big band sound and choir ladies will keep me from revisiting. Still Ray's voice is great.
Didn't know any of Ray Charles' back catalog had this kind of music in it. A pleasant surprise.
First time listening to a Ray Charles album cover to cover and it was a great experience. A truly classic voice, I think I could listen to him sing anything for any amount of time. Layered on top of swinging arrangements makes for a fun listen. Song going on my "1001 Songs" Playlist: You Are My Sunshine Songs Going On My "1001 Albums Savelist" Playlist: Bye Bye Love, You Don't Know Me, You Are My Sunshine, Here We Go Again
Ray Charles is a master
Not my style although I’ve enjoyed Ray Charles in the past. You have to give it high marks for the musical precision and quality
Some classics that I have heard and some other more hidden gems on this
Bit too long. Not quite for me but real talent
Superb. Music that's played self-assuredly and maturely, taking inspiration from several genres and turning it into a timeless, uniquely Ray Charles sound. The backing vocals are generally strong, as is the simple, quiet drumming. And, of course, Ray's vocal is heavenly and full of heart and soul. The strings are a little overdone at times, giving the album a Christmas feel that's a little exhausting on top of all the holiday music I'm forced to listen to this December. However, every track on here is great as a standalone. Seventy-four minutes is a lot to handle, and while Ray's style is freaking awesome, the style doesn't vary much. But it's darn good music.
Beautiful.
4-
Great night for the bonfire
This album made me wanna bake. So, I poured myself a glass of greco di tufo and baked cantucci. They came out very ugly, but super tasty.
Listened while making dinner and it was the perfect soundtrack.
I gave this album a 4 only because 3.5 isn't an option and I'd rather round up than down if the album warrants it. I want to start this review by saying that Ray Charles is amazing and I understand that this album is changing country songs into 50's swing - but in the modern era it just feels like changing one dated sound into another dated sound, neither of which do it for me. The musicality in this album is beautiful, however, and Ray Charles is an absolute master performer at the piano and through his vocals. I just wish I liked this sound more. It took me a long time to get through this album because it was just so slow
All bops. Ray puts so much soul and emotion into every song. This is a two album collection of 24 tracks and you can feel it on all 24.
A collection of very smooth slow songs. Ray Charles' voice is just fantastic. Some of the songs are a bit too sweet to my taste, but overall it is excellent music.
Music of a simpler time by a master! The songs start to sound alike after a while, but this is great music to have on in the background while you work or clean house. Feel good music.
ray charles voice is one of the most beatiful sounds on nature and i love the way the songs on this album show that. You don't know me and i love you so much it hurts are the stand out tracks for me. honestly the only part thats kinda aged a bit are the backing vocals, but sometimes they still manage to get me somehow. i tend to no like that much the double albums, anyway this is a 4/5 for me.
Consistently great
Great fusion of genres and who has a silkier voice than Ray?
Ray Charles does country at the height of his popularity and it’s about as good as you’d expect. I don’t have much to say about this album except that it didn’t sound as country as I was expecting and was still mostly soul and blues to me. Regardless, I listened to both volumes and everything started to blend together after a while but teardrops in my heart and the first few songs were standouts for me.
Enjoyable album from Ray Charles. None of it is country music though
Classic.
Willie Nelson said this did more for country music than anything. Overly produced in a way, but appropriate in context. 3.9
Very nice record with a comforting vibe. No particular tracks stood out; the whole thing is just super nice.
Liked it. Unclear if I finished or not.
Too good
Finally I get a good album generated its been a week
Ray Charles is great and this album showcases that perfectly. Some of the songs drag a bit, but overall a solid album. But it's hard to dislike anything from Ray Charles.
HL: "Worried Mind", "I Can't Stop Loving You", "Bye Bye Love", "You Don't Know Me" I will have to meditate on why the lush, almost cloying arrangements tickle my eardrums in all the right ways. Of course Ray Charles could sing the label on a shampoo bottle and make it sound heavenly September 9, 2023 Will compliment this today with Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music Volume 2
I didn’t hate it
Love ray love Swing. Very pleasant.
4.5
I never listened to this album previously. In fact, I thought the title was either a joke, or ironic. Come to find out it's not! Sounds like it was made in the '40s, but actually this was the early '60s. Ray is a treasure. This was fantastic. Unique covers and great blend of traditional and R&B.
A good spin on these songs. Getting big band and R&B vibes infused with the country skeleton. Almost feels like an African-American twist on Sinatra.
No surprise at all, Ray Charles has an incredible voice! Very pleasant and easy to listen to, but this album dragged on a bit too long, and no individual songs really stood out.
Great album to listen to, my wife recognized several songs that others had covered over the years.
Solid, enjoyable, large collection of songs. If I’m being honest, there weren’t many that stood out from the crowd, but the crowd as a whole was pretty great.
Still don’t like the big band arrangements here, but Ray’s singing and piano are more powerful than The Genius… album. I didn’t like that one but this is great.
Vintage fall vibes
76/100
Very nice record. Suits my anemoia playlist very well. Great for working on the side or slow dancing in the kitchen.
I glossed over these tracks, and Ray sounds like a breath of fresh air, he is taking old hits and making them his own, giving a Ray Charles twist. I can see why he is listed as one of the greats. But I cannot possibly sit through an album of covers for 74 Minutes. I can never really appeal to these tracks as the artistic integrity is not present here, it is merely a variant of a copy, unoriginal and uninspired, you cannot cheat the way through notorious hits and get outstanding credit. Again, the songs sound fantastic, but they aren't his, and that does not really sit right with me and takes away from the experience. I think if this album was originated from his mind, it would undoubtedly be given a 5, but on the other hand the fact he takes country sounds and renovates them to something sonically different, is definitely deserving of respect, and a more respectable rating. On a purely technical song standpoint? This album is perfect. Favourites: Disc 1 (Entirety) / Disc 2 (Entirety)
Very good
Very good calm album. I was expecting something more like "Hey, Good looking" but it was still enjoyable album
Really good album. I have never heard it before. I love the elements of jazz.
Excellent, classic entry.
OK; not really something I’d listen to all the time… country and western music sure has come a long way, and not in a good way!
Awesome music. Great album.
Beautiful country-R&B blend of songs. Country songs revamped to fit more to the style of Charles. It’s done pretty good, beautifully arranged, although the more upbeat songs are less good. 7 out of 10
I actually enjoyed one of the bonus tracks (You Are My Sunshine) more than most of the album. I really like what's been done here but due to my own cultural background I'm not really familiar enough with the material covered for it to properly wow me. He is a genius though.
Soulful
GOOD
Ray Charles is one of the all time greats. Why pick his album of, admittedly fantastic, covers of country songs?
4.5/5
itsesääliesque konsepti. kantria ja jatsia ja kuuukaa pelkää mustaa mieeestä? en minä... Miellelläni kuuntelen!! enkä vapise... voisi vähän energiaa olla kun niin saatanan pitkää albumia tekelee välillä vois sitä kuuntelijaa herätellä,´. hyvin se laulaa vaikka sokea.....xd born to lose
This is definitely not Ray Charles's best album but because he is one of the greatest singers of all time it is still like a 9/10. He really isn't doing anything outstandingly different on this album but it is him doing it so it is great. I wouldn't necessarily call this album safe, which is a problem I sometimes have with albums, because it doesn't feel like he is actively picking easy, safe songs like The Killers album I heard a bit ago. In general, though I probably would pick between 5-10 of his other albums before I got to this one. Despite that, there is still not a bad song on the album but my favorites are "Half As Much", "Hey, Good Lookin'", "I Love You So Much It Hurts" and "I Can't Stop Loving You". Overall a 9/10 which to me means if you like music you should probably listen to this album.
fucking love old big band music
Ray Charles albums are always a good listen.
Loved it overall, but it was a little too samey for 5 stars.
A record somewhat similar to an album the list generated a month ago, Elvis is Back. Here, some popular songs get a Ray Charles version. I do not listen to it often but can appreciate it. It sounds fine and exactly what you expect.
Very enjoyable, but mostly as background music. I liked the more upbeat tracks better. Most of the album was a bit slower paced, so not my favorite. Had a lot of those really nice background vocals which reminded me of Disney music.
Love ray, no one like him. Dunno that we needed two disks
So fine. Ray's voice is so warm and comforting.
It's not legally allowed rate this album with less than 4 stars, even if it is not being so great as I expected and sounds a little bit old-fashioned for modern sensibilities. Ray Charles is not my favorite singer, but his importance cannot be forgotten.
Very good. He's such a legend.
Good stuff
Me ha gustado bastante.
There's enough amazing classics on here to warrant a 4 I reckon. Some filler, but mostly pretty brilliant. Ray has such a great vooice.
4.5
I enjoyed this a lot. I will have this playing in my apartment when I’m cleaning or if I just want a chill vibe. Go Ray, Go!
It's one of the most significant albums of the 1960's: while the civil rights movement was picking up steam, Ray Charles tore up the rulebook and recorded an album of white music (country standards). His audiences quickly diversified and garnered Charles more mainstream praise than ever before, which is either a testament to music's potential to break boundaries or a indictment of the narrow-minded white folks in the pop market. Still, Charles undoubtedly deserves the praise he gets here. The album begins by alternating big-band swing or shuffles with achingly tender ballads. "Bye Bye Love" = bombastic bounding fun. "You Don't Know Me" = swooning, blooming roses. "Just A Little Lovin" = swaggery sass. "I Love You So Much It Hurts" = among the best of all, a great fluffy pillow of sound. As much fun as the upbeat big-band tracks are, the ballads here really tie the package together. Awash with lush strings and choirs, they're beautifully recorded and arranged, delicately performed and exceptionally sung. Charles seems born to sing this material and does so wonderfully. Yes, it might seem a little cloying at times, particularly towards the home stretch. In 2023, this music has suffered a little from associations with classic Christmas soundtracks or Disney films. This isn't Charles' fault: those are merely the pop-culture touchstones of the 1950s and 60s that have endured the most into modern day. While I had my doubts on the first couple of listens, the one-two finale of the gorgeous "I Can't Stop Loving You", followed by the levity of "Hey, Good Lookin'" seals the deal. (Everything afterwards is from Vol. 2, still pleasant but not what we should be assessing here.) We now take music's diversification for granted, in a world where any genre is at our fingertips and styles as diverse as we like can nestle side by side in a playlist. It's difficult to actually appreciate how radical "Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music" must have been. But it isn't difficult to appreciate that it's consistently enjoyable, and supremely listenable.
track 5 is sound, can't remember anything else tbf
I like it. Great mix of country and pop music, although it could have been a little shorter.
I like the concept. Country tunes in a big studio orchestra style. Worried Mind is a good one. Hey Good Looking is also great.
Great songs, clever covers, just kinda started to drag on towards the end of Volume 2, though.
Ray breathed so much life and soul into these country ditties. He’s got the magic touch.
A ton of iconic pop here. Is it Country and Western music? I'll leave that to the musicologists, other than to say the one thing that slightly detracts for me is that a couple of the song selections don't really suit Charles' treatment all that well.
This is not my cup of tea and it sounded a lot like christmas music, but it's undeniably a very well put together crop of songs. The instrumentation is luscious and rich, with the string arrangements being the highlight here. The songs are also more varied and interesting than on the other album of him here "The Genius of Ray Charles". 7,3/10
I like did good for listening to when you are on a walk or in the bus in the morning gives you a safe lovely feeling and helps with anxiety, nice just to listen to when you are kinda tired too I quite liked it so I give it a 8\10
Charles infused RnB with Gospel and then went and infused Country with his RnB. Great stuff.
4.0 + What do I feel hearing a big band version of "You Are My Sunshine"? On one hand, the music - the orchestrations, the playing and the production - is impeccable. On the other hand, from a stylistic perspective, I think this record undersells Ray Charles's magic. He's like a single raisin in a big bowl of oatmeal, taking on a subdued presence within the arrangements - balancing his sweet, soulful voice and piano playing, against a pure white canvas of string swells and Christmas-carol-y background vocals. I want much more of him, and much less of the muzak-y elements. While I can appreciate the concept of forging bonds across musical traditions, the balance between black and white feels off.
This surprised me.
Echt wat een heerlijk album, hoe het je meevoert vanaf de jaren 50 langzaam naar de jaren 60. Ik zag mezelf al helemaal in zo’n geheime bar ergens in the middle of nowhere dansen met zo’n bezwete band en alles is rokerig met rood licht binnen. Favorieten zijn: it makes no difference now, I can’t stop loving you en don’t tell me your troubles De radio na het album was ook 10/10
Nice album for a rainy winter day before Christmas. Reminds me of good Christmas music without being Christmas music
classic
first listen timeless and nostalgic to me
Soothing and the perfect sound for the holiday season right now! Many recognizable songs on this one.
It's a beautiful album with incredible singing from Ray Charles. There's nothing much to say - I put it on in the back while walking through the city with Christmas illuminations and it was definitely working its magic. It just sounds too generic to me but this is probably due to its old age and being completely outside of my usual area of expertise. Still, a beautiful album with easy listening songs.
I’ll admit this didn’t look like something that I would find remotely interesting but it was amazing to be honest, it was really well produced for the early 60’s and the selection of tracks is brilliant (even if he wrote none of them which does knock off a point for me). So 4/5 very good!
Loved it!!!
Before listening - I have looked forward to this album. Having never actually listened to the album, I have appreciation for Ray Charles’ musical genius and his genre bending endeavors throughout his career. After listening – I absolutely love that some of this is clearly country music but at the same time, most definitely not country music. Good examples of what I mean by this is the song Worried Mind or Take These Chains From My Heart. The jazz beats and bluesy feels bleeding through is lovely but at times moves fully into Frank Sinatra-ish traditional pop territory, which I think is where it falls apart a bit. Overall this album was enjoyed by me.
What a beautiful album. Such a great voice.
Ok
He is a legend fr fr
Mysigt
Modern jams in jam and bop music
Modern? More like timeless
Wow! Denna ägde
A legendary singer/voice/story teller. I will definitely give this another listen.
This sounds so Christmassy, and really shows his talent at taking songs and turning them into soulful classics. Probably a little over-done by the end but you can't deny that there's not a duff track on there.
Probably 3.5. but too long.
Jamie Foxx
Here’s Charles saying to the Country world, “come I’ll show you the way!” And making history in the process. 70 years later country is still shit but Ray went down in history with this and all of his catalog
Such an amazing voice, great tunes...not something I would listen to that often, but definitely a classic
Super solid I dig
Disney princess wibes ELI TODELLA HYVÄ ALBUMI PRKL!!!
It’s surprising how many musicians I’m finding that I know the names of, but know nothing about. I could t even say before listening to this what genre Ray Charles comes under. Interested to listen to this. Songs I already knew: some I knew by other artists, but I didn’t know any Ray Charles versions Favourites after listening: Hey Good Lookin’, You Are My Sunshine - I’d go as far as to say these are both vastly superior to the original versions I did quite enjoy this, it often sounded similar to Glenn Miller who I do enjoy. I think I’ve always enjoyed swing music if I’ve come across it organically, but I haven’t tended to actively search for it. Despite being a double album, it was an enjoyable listen from front to back. I admitted did get a little tired towards the end, but that’s the nature of how I’m choosing to listen to these albums.
Very timeless. But thats just to be expected from Ray Charles. Beautiful album
Great oldies rock
very good, very fun
Favorite Songs: You Don't Know Me, Born to Loose, Midnight (dark and mysterious intro) Beautiful voice
This is a pretty great album, I guess it's technically 2 put together, so albums. The instruments sound so good and Ray is obviously a talented singer. Yet, I don't feel like I'd listen to this much. Not the entire album anyway. I'd prefer this is bite sized pieces when I need something that sounds like this. Despite how good the songs are, I don't want a whole album of it at one time. I know that's odd, but it is what it is.
Good music from a forgotten era
Love Ray, but the back half of this album DRAGS and is very SAMEY. But still... love Ray. Can't in good conscious go less than a 4. If this were just "volume 1" it would be an easy 5.
Not completely what I was expecting when I saw “country” even with it being Ray Charles. Pretty great time to listen to this though. Each song feels powerful and soulful and pushes its message well. 7/10
I don't know how to rate the album... It was really good but in the end it was exactly what I expected from Ray Charles and nothing more to it... I loves the dings but not more than any other song of the album... Solid 4.5/5
Rather enjoyed this - made me feel like I was in a Scorsese movie! I listened to both volumes 1 and 2. Tended to like the more upbeat numbers more than the slow ones, and vol 2 seemed to have more of those. Fave track - "I Can't Stop Loving You" from vol 1 - that arrangement with the backing choir gives me shivers! From vol 2 "Don't Tell Me Your Troubles" Oh yeah!
There doesn't seem much point analysing this in 2022, prima facie. Its innovations have diffused so much into music since that it feels, if not quite archaic, then venerable to be generous, or aged to be mean. Ultimately, its status as a transitional work makes it both important and ever so slight. Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, Ray Charles' 18th album, found Charles taking a significant gamble. A rhythm and blues musician presenting a modified form of country music in early 1960s America carried the risk of bigots treating the album as a provocation. However, Charles succeeded in not only adding new instrumentation, orchestration and direction to country and folk standards, but continuing to develop the nascent genre of soul. But you would have noticed in the first paragraph some reluctance on my part to extol the album. Of course, there's great stuff on this. But the title hints at one of the reasons for my hesitancy: it's a collection of modern sounds, rather than a fully cohesive album. That's hardly the fault of the album or Ray Charles. It's the fault of my own expectations. We have passed through the album era, with its evolution of the album as a unified artwork, so when we look back at the earliest albums, they can seem akin to compilations. Should we seek to cleanse ourselves of these predispositions? Can we? I honestly don't know. I also said that the album was a transitional work, a work whose experiments helped determine the course several genres would take in the upcoming years. However, that carries with it the aspect that not every experiment works. Personally, I don't much favour the numbers drenched in strings and choral singers, finding them mawkish and very dated. I reckon quite a few current listeners would concur with me. This could again be my partialities, or it could be the simple consequence of time on a sixty-year-old album. I don't envisage myself warming to such syrup in the future, but maybe I shouldn't make such a blunt prediction. The critical tenor of this review is perhaps a gnat unfair, since I've spent two paragraphs explaining why I can't fully embrace the album. Be assured that there is much to savour. And one heavyweight point of the album is that music doesn't benefit from segregation, be it imposed or adopted. Here we have a luminous illustration of how rhythm and blues musicians took as much inspiration from country musicians as country musicians took from rhythm and blues musicians. Compare that to George Clinton digging hard rock, Detroit house tipping their caps to Kraftwerk and Depeche Mode, and the inexhaustible phalanxes of rappers praising Phil Collins as a genius. Wait, with that last example, have I demolished my own argument?
Belle le canzoni movimentate
Amazing voice
Very good crooning and R&B, but a little long. Very cool to see him take western music and reimagine it like this, especially during the civil rights movement. 3 musically, but a 4.5 culturally.
Odd album concept but the songs are certainly great. Some big hits too. 'I can't stop loving you' is one of the altime greats. Culturally this had a big impact too so it should get recognition for that if nothing else. The arrangements are a bit smaltzy by todays standards and not much piano either. A bit like a big band album rather than C&W.
Great, but rather chill.
Really interesting concept, covers of country songs in the style of a big band crooner. Gets a bit repetitive by the end but lots of great #numbers
Cool!
Some people may have thought it a risk for Ray Charles to record a Country album. Obviously they were very wrong. Partly because this really isn't a Country album. Charles thought that the lyrics and overall feeling of Country songs were similar to R&B. It was ingenious for him to put this album together - a combination of Country, R&B, and even Big Band. It was a pleasure listening to this music. Charles was definitely ahead of his time in combining genres. My favorites were "You Are My Sunshine" and "Careless Love."
Honestly really liked most of it.
Solid stuff here
Hadn't heard most of the songs before, but found myself nodding or tapping my foot through most of it. Good stuff
always a good listen, amazing vocals and orchestra
loved it. good singer, good music, good lyrics. def enjoy this kinda stuff.
Track 1 - Bye Bye Love: I felt this track pretty hard. It was like almost eerie to me, to hear this kinda up beat sounding song and backing vocals with such a sad message. It felt like a song I'd hear in a nightmare. I relate to it a lot Track 2 - You Don't Know Me: I swear if this whole album is gonna be sad tracks about love... I don't relate as much to this song currently, but I've definitely been there, feeling like I wanted to be with someone and they had no idea. Track 3 - Half as Much: ah, all about love then. sadge. Track 4 - I love you so much it hurts: yeah....guess we're crying at work lmao track 5 - just a little lovin: sadge track 6 - born to lose: lol i wanna kms. this is not okay, again all the music in this album has just been creepy and eerie to me, I know its not intended to be and its just an anachronism from the time but jeez track 7- worried mind: This is a sad song too, I just don't happen to feel this resentment, or those feelings of like, they did something wrong. I know it was my fault if anything. track 8 - makes no difference now: So I see that this album is kind of taking shape maybe, telling a story possibly of Ray's journey through love and loss and coming to terms with it track 9 - you win again: no charles, you need to leave, shes a bitch. Dont put up with her fucking other dudes track 10 - careless love: BUT YOU ARE BLIND track 11: i cant stop loving you: okay this is it, this is the song that encapuslates me and my feelings. Everyone tells me to move on, and that time will fix things. but they dont help me right now, so just let me be sad and miss her please. Its depressing and lonely and pathetic but its what i want to do right now, because moving on would be too hard right now. track 12 - hey good lookin: A nice change of pace for the music, a little bit more fun and hopeful. Also god dammit if it isnt time appropriate, a two dollar bill being used as common place, goddayum. also charles again, you are blind my guy! disc 2 track 13 - you are my sunshine: STOP CHARLES, ITS TOO RELATABLE :( track 14 - no letter today: god dammit track 15 - someday: good for you ray, you found someone else track 16 - dont tell me your troubles: yeah fuck that bitch track 17 - midnight: mhm track 18 oh, lonesome me; yeah trueeeee track 19 take these chains from my heart feel that track 20 your cheatin heart get out bro track 21 ill never stand in your way yah feel that track 22 making believe just very sad and relatable track 23 teardrops in my heart sad track 24 hang your head in shame im sorry ray
What can anyone say, its Ray Charles. The man was a hell of a performer. Bit cruel of to have made him sing some of the lyrics in careless love, mind. One thing I will say about this is that you should listen to it in two goes. It does get challenging after a while.
As I was listening through this album, I developed a boatload of flawed assumptions about how this album (a country album by a soul singer) came to be. I figured that a bunch of studio bigwigs forced Ray into this path in order to line their pockets. Reading through the Wikipedia article for this album though, I found out I was dead wrong, and my appreciation for what this album is has appreciated all the more for it. The truth is that Ray was the mastermind behind this cross-over and through this work the popularity of country music on the whole was significantly improved. An enjoyable twist on many levels. The music and the performances are fantastic, and Ray brings his characteristic charisma and soulful touch to each track. Perhaps 24 tracks does feel a touch long, but it can be forgiven.
Hard not to love Ray's voice and a big band backing him up. From a different era that I'm happy to revisit from time to time, so classy...
Save me the Ray Conniff singers and give me more of Ray’s bangin’ piano solos and this could be a five star effort. Still, it’s a textbook example of jumping, swinging, heartfelt blues.
4/5
Such an alluring, legendary sound. Ridiculous album title.
Respectable stuff, not something I always wanna hear but it all sounds great. A cool tidbit from Wikipedia: "The album's integration of soul and country challenged racial barriers in popular music at the height of the Civil Rights Movement. In the process of recording the album, Charles became one of the first African-American musicians to exercise complete artistic control over his own recording career."
Feels like the soundtrack to a Disney film, gentle, warming, but a powerful voice and I love it. "Just a Little Lovin'" my favourite track on the album.
Gorgeous album, and I can understand why my dad calls contemporary music mere “noise.” This album breathes!
Loved this. Super solid and fun. Been a fan of Ray Charles for a long time.
String arrangements are boss. I feel old to say this/think this, but pop songs used to be really complicated! I love that. Some still go to the trouble--like I've noticed on Silk Sonic's music-- but most do not. It's such a lovely pleasure to sit down with stuff like this. I can't say I prefer Charles' versions of anything over others, but they're all lovely and this gets plenty of bonus for breaking barriers.
J'ai bien aimé l"album, c'est très classique et les chansons sont super bien arrangés par Ray Charles, une légende. Cependant, ca manque un peude punch à la longue avec une durée de 1h15, ca tourne ne rond un peu vers la fin. 4*
What a gorgeous album. To say my usual of, "it blends [x] genres well," would be doing a disservice. It's amazing what Ray Charles is able to do here, between picking some real country weepers, changing them entirely, and keeping the soul of the songs. My only nitpick is the chorus: they're a little bland and sometimes bring down a song pretty heavily. Favorite tracks: "Half As Much", "Just a Little Lovin'", "Careless Love"
Some very engaging tracks . I love his voice
Just a good album start to finish.
Good stuff
Ray Charles er æðsilegur söngvari og þessi production er mjög sjarmerandi, kántrí slagarar með heilmiklum strengjum og þykkum kórbakröddum. Þetta er ekki plata sem talar beinlínis til mín, en hún er mjög áheyrileg.
Jazzy
This is where classic swing, soul and blues meet. I liked this quite a bit more than I thought I would. Great arrangements with chorus and sweeping strings, yet with a melancholy undertone make for an irresistible mixture of music. 4/5
Liked this a lot more than I would. Nice chilled out background music.. had it on while going through work emails. Standout track is the cover of 'You Are My Sunshine"
Rating: 7/10
I am not familiar with a lot of country music. This I can get used to.
A true delight.
Billy Joel said it best about this album. A black man taking the whitest music and making it his own. It's easy to lose sight of what a big deal this was at the time, and a lot of these songs have become such Ray Charles standards that a listener might not appreciate the significance of its existence. Seeing the album title alone, you'd be forgiven in thinking this would be a country album. In that respect, I prefer Charlie Pride over this. But it's NOT a country album. Billy Joel was right: It's a Ray Charles album. Old Ray made sure of that.
First, stop and think about all the grief Lil Nas X got for doing country a couple of years ago. It wasn't even recognised as country till he got a cosign from Billie Ray Cyrus. Now consider that Ray Charles recorded this, against his labels wishes SIXTY YEARS AGO. Dude was brave or mad. It opens fun, with a song I know better by the Every brothers. His version is fun, especially as he waits a full minute before his beautiful voice jumps in. Maybe he wanted to give the racists a surprise! Then it pivots into the more mellow, sad, lovelorn side of country, and hits the right notes there too! It's all really good. It's rare I'm this hungry for more after an older album - but I was glad there was a second lp of this recorded!
My first album from Ray Charles, I can definitely say I am not disappointed. This has aged very well, still feels like an era gone by with the background vocals and orchestration, but I do mean that in the best way possible.
Loved it
I have always known of Ray Charles, as a legend and an icon of soul and other genres from the 50s onwards. When i hear his name i think of the Blues Brothers movie - i guess thats when i first heard of him. i didnt know this album. have enjoyed listening to it. When i started i assumed it was from the 1950s, but as it turns out it was 1962, which i guess means the music would have probably sounded like a collection if old classics. By a guy who has his own style and mood, it is not really my thing, kind of an old fashioned hollywood vibe. i guess to appreciate it it should be considered in its historical context, early 60s, civil rights movement era, yet mainly “ white” music by a pioneerning black blues / soul singer. i can see how it belongs in a list of albums to listen to before you die, but i dont see myself coming back and lisrening to it too often. Careless Love was a stand out to me for mood and feel. And You are My Sunshine more of a histroical artefact,
Really enjoyed this.
For me, this album highlighted the limitations of a one-day challenge and of a lot of online music writing, in which context is reduced to the decade of release, the instrumentation and the country of origin. I don't think that even the very best music can fully transcend the context in which it was made. I could say I liked it, but I don't think that's any more worthwhile than listicles that rank the Holy Bible as a Britpop album, or the 1001 Album Club podcast, which I gave up on after half an episode because they described Ian Dury as "British whimsy bullshit" that reminded them of a "more up-tempo Syd Barrett." This has sent me down a bit of a rabbit-hole, thinking about which aspects of culture we pass on, which we forget and why. I might like it even more if I understood it better, but I won't understand it without wider reading and listening into the social context, Ray's career to date and contemporary country, and I'm not sure I like it enough to make that commitment. But that's no criticism of Ray Charles; it's a ridiculously high bar for anyone to vault, and I appreciate there must be very good reasons that this music has lasted and will continue to last better than the vast majority of stuff I love.
Doesn't this feel very distant from the modern renderings of country music, be it pop, outlaw or whatever stripe you care to name. Yet despite the lush arrangements and lack of shorthand country signifiers, this is a bold and interesting take on the genre. 'I Can't Stop Loving You' and 'Careless Love' are stupendous. Country music in a big band format? Works for me - especially when interpreted by Charles. Just a guy I love to hear sing!
Innovative for the time, still sublime for any time, Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music provided a blueprint that showcased that it was okay for black musicians to dip their toes in other facets of music, music that was (and, in some cases, still is) closed to them. And, as always, Ray Charles displays magnificent singing efforts towards some of the most melancholic material lain upon him and he does them justice. A recommended album for those who want to experience not just the brilliance of Ray but the often neglected stories in the songs.
Classic Ray Charles. His voice is so emotive, and when he lets loose on the piano his note choice is immaculate. Probably the greatest album of this kind of tune.
Very good.
Reminded me of times singing with my mum
За ощущение, будто посмотрел "Том и Джерри", поставлю 4 звёздочки. Как фон для лакшери застолья пойдёт.
This is more poppy. More 50s pop, early 60s pop, right before the Beatles pop. Maybe it's this R&B kinda guy doing late 50s/early 60s pop music. This blind pianist with a soulful voice doing non-soulful versions of soulful country songs. It works.
It's disappointing that this list contains two albums of the genius that Ray Charles is. The Genius Of Ray Charles: an album with big band and singing pop arrangements and the other: Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music with country and folk songs. That is not who Ray Charles is. He is the man that almost singlehandedly invented soul as a music genre combining gospel and blues in songs like "I Got a Woman". Why is a fantastic album like Ray Charles - Ray Charles (1957) not on this list containing the genre he defined. It is a Shame, Shame, Shame (I know that is not a Ray Charles song, but it is more Ray Charles than the two albums on this list). Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music is still a good album, but it's not one of his best.
This was a very nice album honestly. Wouldn't say many recognized hits though, save maybe for "I Can't Stop Loving You". 7/10.
The songs seems sort of dated now but Ray Charles really knocks them out of the park anyway.
8/10
Pretty great
so good.
ulubione you don't know me I love you so much it hurts just a little lovin' (will go a long way)
Great
Even though this isn’t the kind of music I normally listen to, I loved it! Especially the interesting arrangements for songs that I knew from elsewhere (I guess these are the country and western music songs the title refers to?). I’ll add that It’s gems such as this, about which existence I formerly wasn’t aware of, that brought me here. Pity these are so rare.
7/10 enjoyable but nothing special
8/10. This was quite good, a relisten might even bump up my score by one.
Didn’t really think of this as country which I guess goes to show that what I dislike most about the genre are the vocals. Fun but not too engaging listen. 7/10
Ray Charles is timeless and classic. A great listen, but listening to this album in its entirety I realized most of his songs follow the same "I love you, you hurt me" motif and generally have the same sound and feel. The man definitely knew what he was about.
I feel relaxed and happy because of ray's voice, despite the fact he's singing about losing a lover and wanting to die? I don't hear much western, but its got a healthy mix of country, swing, and blues - later note, maybe I'm thinking of the wild west genre and there was a different name for this that we either lost or changed? His voice is amazing and smooth Prime example of some of the best that the black community has brought to the table for music. Really genuine emotion in the singing I can't shake the feeling of christmas music in all of this...
Really good listen to for a feelgood song, Ray Charles voice is pretty damn good and making me feel good
Country drugi dan za redom. Moze ray, moze big band, daj reube daj signale. Super album, super pjesme, te ne smeta patetika u rijecima
Gospodin 🎹😎
Sweet
Sunday vibes
Enjoyed listening to this. Very calming bit upbeat
Was nice!
great way to wind down at the end of the day, so easy to listen to
Didn’t finish. Pretty good though
If only we got country music like this nowadays instead of "Fancy Like"...
An enlightening sound, though not what I’m accustomed to. Really good energy.
A near perfect dinner party album. I love the brassy big band arrangements, the lush string arrangements, not so much, but the fact that he makes it all work is a testament to his talent 4 stars
I feel I've undermarked this because it's an amazing album with a real crossover that paved the way for so much. But I can't help but feel Ray Charles is at his bets with blues. This whitebread album could easily be for Sinatra which I guess is the point. It opened doors and is very good. But you know he's got more in him.
// Favs: – Score: Light 4
Not my usual genres, but Ray Charles has a very smooth voice that can carry a song. Combined with smooth jazzy, country and pop instrumentals the whole collection is a friendly listen with short songs.
Genius at work - great arrangements, fabulous band, and every vocal OWNS the song.
Love songs op jazz en R&B. Soms swingend en soms wiegend.
Great LP! Had some of this on a charity shop cd I got recently Ray Charles greatest country and western hits…
Well..... The songs are little bit boring but Ray..... He is awesome. So chill
I am a hugh Ray Charles fan so any time I have an opportunity to buy some of his music I jump at it. This two volume CD was everything I hoped for and more! The content is awsome and the quality of the CD, the case and art work was pristine. I plan to buy another one as a Christmas gift for one of my brothers who enjoys a good music CD as much as I do. Overall, the purchase of this CD was 10, I am very pleased with this purchase on all levels.
Lush - can hear how Amy was influenced
Ray Friggin Charles. Such a soulful voice. Digital remastered cleaned it up so nice.... 4 stars
Very enjoyable and easy listening. Nothing that stands out on this album, but solid all around.
What a fucking achievement this album was. Best track: Bye Bye Love
60's music is fantastic, and this one really delivers. It makes you feel what it wants you to feel. The orchestra was lively when it felt like it and somber when it wanted to make you feel nostalgic. My only gripe was that the songs could've been taken to more extremes - that is, the highs can be higher and the lows can be lower. Favorite track: I Love You So Much It Hurts
A really sweet, comfy album. Ray sounds amazing on this one!
Was a different take on Ray Charles, but I loved it nonetheless. Man was a national treasure.
He's a genius. I love him. Great arrangements on some country songs. (8/10) Favourite Tracks: Careless Love, I Can't Stop Loving You, You Are My Sunshine
Really like this! Ray sounds great with a big band behind him. Great arrangements on some classic songs
Incredibly enjoyable. I'd listened to some Ray Charles before, but the album is sonically very enjoyable - almost every song utilises backing singers in a really pleasing way!
Yum.
Feels like some good old album, a banger for people that enjoy this genre. Not my style but I can appreciate the quality
L'album qui a traumatisé Ray Charles.
THIS IS ABBA - REVIVAL
Can see why it was called Modern Sounds, the big band feel, makes it bright, sharp and punchy. None of these tracks sound like Country and Western songs, so I'm assuming they are standards/classics in C&W which makes Charles reinterpretation of them so striking, he's placing a big band aesthetic over them, making them feel new and impactful. Charles has great phrasing, he can stretch and hold a note so well. Not many words in some of the lyrics, but he lets them float over the music. He also hold and bend notes so well, to fit to fill the phrasing and tempo of each song. More a fan of the uptempo numbers, but the slower ones show off the versatility of Ray’s voice/tone.
Short review well I wouldn’t normally chose a country and western album but Ray Charles at heart has a strong sense of being an R&B star. He is renowned for both his work in jazz and soul too so this album was a shot in the dark and the hybrid musical mastermind created a country record - but this was a success by every meaning of the word. I wouldn’t rush to listen again but you must respect this talent.
Très charmant mais aussi répétitif
Good music, great voice. The music does sound extremely old though and not all of it has aged particularly well. I enjoyed the "big sound" more swingy and soul-heavy tracks a lot more than the softer lounge-y or balladesque tracks. I won't actively listen to it again, but a good one-time experience.
Ciezko o bardziej trafny tytul albumu, nie ma co wiecej pisac, bo wszystko co nalezy wiedziec o tej plycie jest juz zawarte na okladce
Christmas style strings. Beautiful instruments all around. And a voice that strikes so deeply. Not super substantial, but beautiful and easy to listen to.
3.5 | Es muy posible que le pierda mucho a poder apreciar este disco debido a que casi todos son estándares principalmente de country que yo realmente no conozco (solo conocía bien Hey Good Looking). Pareciera más que fue un disco que es importante porque fue lo que le dio a Ray Charles el éxito masivo con la gente blanca tal como ya lo tenía con la gente negra (lo cual es más impresionante cuando recordamos que en ese momento seguimos enfrascados a mitad de lucha de derechos civiles en EE.UU.). Musicalmente el disco es muy bueno, bajando un poco el ritmo de lo que estaba acostumbrado casi todo el disco es de baladas, apenas con una canción con un sonido medio big band; a pesar de esto el disco no se siente cansado y la voz, el sentimiento y los arreglos son impecables. El disco obviamente es importante, las canciones muy bien hechas a pesar de que quizá soy más partidario de ese Ray Charles un poco más movido y mas... "comercial?" En algun momento decía Ray Charles que el blues y el country eran muy similares en su honestidad y en ser llanos de lenguaje y quizá hacer un disco de este tipo es un gran ejemplo de cuánta razón tenía.
That was well good
No sé si lo hizo a propósito pero hay una rola movida y una calmada intercaladas en todo el disco. Que se le puede reprochar a este señor? Darse el lujo de hacer un doble de covers y reinventarnos
Qué disco tan más a gusto. De inicio no tenía idea de que fueran puros covers, e incluso de las rolas que identifiqué, llegué a pensar que era al revés y la versión de Ray era la original. De cualquier manera, me encantan los arreglos que hizo Ray en casi todas las canciones y quizá ya luego con más tiempo me gustaría escuchar las originales y comparar. Por otro lado, la parte que no me encanta son los arreglos de voces exageradamente melosos en algunas de las canciones.
I knew who Ray Charles was of course, but I don't think I knew what to expect of his music. It's much jazzier (and less country than the title lead me to believe). Love the snazzy horn section.
I think this is one of those albums where you have to take be in a specific mood. I can imagine some late night, feeling a bit depressed, or contemplative, this could hit the spot. That’s not really my vibe today so much of this felt draggy. The production was too much. Just give me Ray and a piano, no need for background singers and strings. But still, he’s so smooth, it certainly isn’t all bad.
It's alright. Nothing too special to me, but alright.
liked it, probably come back to it at another time, very vibey for driving or something
Excellent concept, although very much of it’s time.
This grew on me, though it will never be a go-to for me. Not as modern as it needs to be for my ears.
This album started out fine, then it got boring. Good singing, good instruments.
#370 I couldn’t quite get my head around this. Initially I was putting my review in for the previous day via the history page and saw this was next in the queue; noting the album title I figured it was exactly what it said it was, and I didn’t even initially twig who it was until I saw the album cover. He’s got a great voice and he makes many of these songs his own, sometimes they aren’t left with a shred of country and western in them, and often they sounded more big band than the soul/rnb I expected. It was all pretty good but realistically not something I would return to. Heard before? ❌ Would I revisit? ❌ Listen before you die? Probably Fave track(s): *You Are My Sunshine* Rating: 6/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jamais écouté avant. Quand une voix et un musicien exceptionnel s'empare des standards de la country pour les réinterpréter à son goût, à grand renfort de big band, d'orchestre de cordes ou de chœurs féminins, le résultat ressemble à tout sauf à de la country. Le geste artistique est admirable, l'âme que Ray Charles met dans chaque note de ses arrangements est impressionnante et l'impact sociétal de cette rencontre entre deux univers musicaux qui s'ignoraient le rend encore plus remarquable. Par contre, pas sûr que ça ait très bien vieilli, ça dégouline de kitsch et de miel bien collant, et c'est long, très long (en particulier en intégrant les deux albums), en plus d'être pas mal monocorde. Plus un problème d'âge que de talent, donc. Top : You Are My Sunshine Flop : I Love You So Much It Hurts
Really wish this was not a double album. I enjoyed this for about 30 minutes and then it all blends together into a sad soupy slog. Really pleasant but nothing stands out.