Reviews (page 7 of 13)
Very nice, smooooooth album.
A soulful album. I enjoyed the accompanying orchestra that was on most tracks. Had highlights and lowlights. Good for a 40 minute mixup in genre.
Usually not too big of a fan of 'big band' but c'mon, it's Ray Charles. Such a good album to get on a beautiful Sunday in May. The final two track are such an incredible ending to the album. 4/5
I remember seeing the Ray movie a few years back and thinking it was pretty magnificent what he was able to do 60+ years ago. Big saxy sound, played with feeling
Almost perfect for what it sets out to do. It's vocal jazz, it's soul, it's big band, it's power ballads, it's so much wrapped into one, and each song executes on its intentions very well. The first half is big band, the second half is more somber, string and backing vocal led ballads. Not often do you see a double album that doesn't take 4 years to get through, but Charles does it. Let the Good Times Roll and Just For a Thrill, the two sides' openers, are the definite highlights. The only downside are that at points the production can get a little bit too full of itself, and it can feel like I'm listening to technically good music, but not necessarily what would be best for the song. But that's a minor nitpick. Definitely recommend for anyone looking for old(er) music.
nice
Awesome album. Ray Charles has such a great sound.
very enjoyable music and voice
Really quite nice. No wonder he's so famous.
The first half is big band jazz at it's best !!
thoroughly enjoyable listen. my favorite songs were the more classic big band jazz numbers but every song was pretty good
It feels like the recording is limiting the dynamics of his voice. Tons of range and emotion. Definitely hits its stride in the second half.
Good. He makes even the sad songs kind of upbeat.
Ray Charles just oozes fuckin SWAG. Two years of torture is sick Bro really interpolated pop goes the weasel on ‘You wont let me go’ that’s a coke head move for sure Pretty much was into every track on this, could be a little slow or repetitive at times but RC is one of the goats 👍:you wont let me go/ two years of torture 👎:Alexander’s rag time band
Top album
Ray Charles was a brilliant musician, and his talent is evident here.
The Genius of Ray Charles. This album is like a shot of musical adrenaline straight to the heart. It's got everything: soul, blues, jazz, and enough energy to power a small city. From the opening notes of "Let the Good Times Roll" to the soulful rendition of "Georgia on My Mind," Ray Charles' talent is undeniable. He's like the lovechild of a piano and a saxophone, and he's got the voice of an angel with a side hustle as a devilish bluesman. Listening to this album is like taking a time machine back to the golden age of music, when people knew how to really belt it out and make you feel something. If you don't find yourself tapping your toes and swaying to the beat of "Hallelujah I Love Her So," then you must be legally dead. In conclusion, The Genius of Ray Charles is not just an album, it's a musical experience that will transport you to another world. Ray's voice is like a warm blanket on a cold night, and his piano playing is like a warm hug from your favorite aunt. From the upbeat "What'd I Say" to the heartbreaking "Drown in My Own Tears," this album has something for everyone. So, whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer to Ray's music, do yourself a favor and give this album a listen. Your ears (and your soul) will thank you.
Time spent listening to Ray is always time well spent.
Great listen! Ray Charles is definitely a genius.
- Never listened to a Ray Charles album before - Pleasantly surprised, didn't think I would enjoy this but it was really good - Not something I ever would've listened to on my own - Very bold to call yourself a genius in your album title but I guess he can pull it off - Fav songs: Let the Good Times Roll, Alexander's Ragtime Band, When Your Lover Has Gone
It was honestly surprisingly good and I did enjoy this a lot
Great big band record. Can’t believe it was recorded in 1959. Ray Charles has a great voice and the band plays super well together.
Very enjoyable fun music to listen to. If there is a music I'd describe America with, it'd be Ray Charles. My only complaint is that after around 7-8 songs it's getting a bit repetitive to me because of the style of music. 4.5/5 but I'm giving it a 4. (p.s. my twitter account @AlbumsChallenge got hacked today and I won't be able to get back my account according to twitter support. I am sad to see my account go, I loved to write my little reviews there. I didn't even reach 50 albums yet...).
O disco entrega precisamente o quê o título promete, a genialidade dele.
Genius is not an overstatement here.
Nice
I really like the big band songs in the first half of the album. Still feels fresh
Bluest, jazzy, it's got piano, strings, and horns, and most importantly Ray Charles. Great singer, this album shows the genius of Ray Charles.
This was great, so smooth and I felt so relaxed
Le génie de Ray Charles réside principalement dans sa capacité à se rouler en boule pour écraser ou aplatir ses adversaires. Il peut également tourner sur lui-même comme une vrille pour écraser la terre afin d'y plonger.
first listen amazing big band
Chillig, aber bissl altfatrisch. Gute Musik, aber not for every day
What a voice and what interpretations of some classic songs.
Genius was the right word. Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this. Must remember to play this loud whilst pottering round the flat one Sunday morning, especially if the sun is shining!
This is nice Saturday morning listening. I will be adding Ray Charles to the rotation.
I liked this album. I was surprised how many slow songs there were, I was expecting this album to be very high energy and high tempo, but I enjoyed the songs nonetheless. Favorite song: Let the Good Times Roll Worst song: It Had to Be You
The title is somewhat annoying and the heavy-handed arrangements get in the way here and there, but otherwise this is a pleasure to listen to. The masterly interpretations of the standards are the highlights – ”When Your Lover Has Gone” and “Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying” are the highlights. No doubting this man's ability to sing a song up to (and often beyond its value) and satisfy an audience with his considerable talent, and bringing such soul and joy into the bargain. Hard to believe only 20 when delivering this.
It's a bold album title, but the album is good enough that it doesn't feel too far off the mark. It's a solid album - no one track stands too far above any other, it's just a very good album all the way through. His voice sells anything. I'd buy a timeshare from that voice.
What a voice! I've never listened to Ray Charles properly, and only know the hits really. The change in style on the second side was welcome I thought, by the halfway mark I was starting to find the big band songs a bit repetitive.
It’s very good.Nice change of pace.He has a beautiful voice.It kinda sounds like how I remember old Disney movies.
Solid soulful crooner album. Unique voice.
I'll always be such a sucker for jazz. Great album from a legend. Favorite track: Come Rain or Come Shine
This is a great nostalgic album. I love the big band sound at the beginning and smooth jazz feel with full orchestra during the end. I love Ray's voice and piano playing. This is not a record I'd play at a party or on a road trip but I love the compositions and full instrumentation. I'm amazed at the great sound and production knowing what they had to work with in the studio back in the day. This essentially a live performance and I love it.
This is great. Interesting to listen to a black performer recording in 1959 on MLK Day. It had me thinking about what life might have been like in 1959's America and how this music fit into the social fabric of the day. Of course, the fact that this is pre-'60s has its stamp all over the album in terms of the recording quality and the arrangements (I cheated and read a little and learned that Quincy Jones arranged the first six tunes on the album). Those details did ultimately serve to detract just a little from my enjoyment. I found the arrangements were a little too predictable after a couple of songs — maybe the song order didn't help by stacking the horn section numbers and the ballads with the backing singers. I also thought the sax player was a little too wound up. Charles sounds great, vocally. He's dynamic, but not overly so. Another limitation — I'll also chalk this up to the times — is the lyrical content. Lots of lamenting a lost lover, or an impending loss of a lover, or a long-lost love. But yeah, good stuff. I did have to ask myself, if anyone put out an album today titled "The Genius of ... " would I think he's being a pompous asshole? (A: Yes.) I didn't think that of Mr. Charles, though the title did make me chuckle. Sets some seriously high expectations.
Nostalgia for me having grown up listening to Glenn Miller. What a trip to remember how influential Charles was!
Muito bom. Alguns backing vocals lembram musical dos anos 50
It's not necessarily a genre I would choose for myself but it's really a beautiful album. Some major standards here, and all beautifully composed.
Good songs, great performances, solid arrangements but I find the big band sound takes away a lot from what could be an amazing small band performance. The choral arrangements come across as hokey to me, and that’s not even specific to Ray, as it is all over pop music at this time that has a “big sound”. This is an aural meal that is too rich to be really enjoyed as nothing is left to ask for, but somehow I am still left mostly unsatisfied.
This is a pretty glorious album. I’m most fond of the slower, more orchestral B-side, even though the big band A-side is also quite nice.
Ekki alveg minn stíll af djassi en auðvitað góður
Very good, but maybe falls just short of "genius". Not by much though!
I enjoyed the minimal jazz approach, solid song structure and writing. Much more enjoyable than I was anticipating.
Fantastic Pop, Rock and Soul album rolled into one, effortlessly cool.
High Quality Big Band! What's not to love! It had to be you in the only song I recognize, and not this version, but it's great!
Sehr gutes Ding!
Great listen.
Great
Charles plays crooning ballads and standby's on this album highlighting his more soulful side. While it may be lacking some of his more quick-paced songs, it is still a solid representation of him as an artist that created a catalog of love songs that would stay in the collective consciousness for years.
Love the big band sound. Never listened to much of Ray but I find it fun to listen to
favorite tracks - two years of torture, deed i do, dont let the sun catch you cryin, come rain or come shine least favorite tracks - n/a Not really a fan of the big band style, but fell in love with Charles's talent and personality.
i feel sexy listening to this fav tracks: ‘it had to be you’ ‘two years of torture’ ‘deed i do’ AM I BLUE !!!
Beautiful of course
Calling your album ‘The Genius of …’ is a big call but man it delivers. Such a fun sounding album. I’d really only heard some of the songs of best of albums etc. Never listened to any of his albums from start to finish. Not sure if I’d go back again though.
silky smooth wistful easy listening orchestral jazz for waxing nostalgic. surprised that Georgia wasn't on this record. 4.3/5
Lovely, soulful renditions of jazz and pop standards. Not a bad song on here really, but Charles really shines on the ballads. There are better versions of many of these songs out there, but this is pretty excellent. I would expect no less from Ray Charles. Fave Songs: Just for a Thrill, You Won't Let Me Go, It Had to Be You, Come Rain or Come Shine, Alexander's Ragtime Band, Let the Good Times Roll, Am I Blue
What a voice! And some nice big band songs and ballads. Best song, Alexander's ragtime band
Ray is a genius! Love the record, Ray Charles is like his own subgenre and I'm never upset about indulging in it.
I was taken aback by the Sinatra stylye big band arrangements. But wow this album is good. 4 stars
Ray Charles sings 20s, 30s & 40s standards in his own R&B Bluesy way. It is outstanding. Singles: ----------------------------------------------------- Let the Good Times Roll (#78) Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin' (US #95, #17 US R&B) Just for a Thrill (#16 US R&B) Come Rain or Come Shine (US #83) Standouts: Let the Good Times Roll, It Had to Be You, Alexander's Ragtime Band, When Your Lover Has Gone, Just For a Thrill, Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin', Am I Blue, Come Rain Come Shine. Rating: 4/5
One of the better swing albums I've heard. Ray Charles is the star, playing both rampant and romantic roles, and his piano pulls the strings to control the mood behind the power of the big band accompaniment. The recording's pretty harsh but gets better as the album progresses and calms down. I found the third quarter to be the weakest but his piano is best highlighted here. Favorites: It Had to Be You, Alexander's Ragtime Band, Come Rain or Shine
Good songs but always have trouble thinking of anything before 1960 as a cohesive album
This was very good. Charles managed to shout a refreshingly ace set of vocals, despite the lyrics giving away a heartbroken man. “When you’re alone, who cares for starlit skies?”.
Classic Ray Charles. Always a good one.
wouldve been five but Ray charles is an awful person
A good set of songs, very well done. These aren't your usual Ray favorites.
Ray Charles broadens here and it’s only 1959 when he recorded this. So much music from so many places came through that man.
Прослушано
I liked it, but it was a little repetitive with his style of song writing. Most were about a vague love interest. Loved the backing band though. 6.5/10
ok
Great instrumentals
22nd September 2022 Listened in the morning while working from home and getting ready for Chris’s wedding. Soho house in the evening with Seb and Jen. Genius! It’s soulful and slick and played by a maestro.
Album title doesn't lie - he really is a genius. Great album with a mix of Big Band and Soul styles. 8/10.
Great to listen to on a relaxing Sunday afternoon
Split between crooning and swinging songs, full band present on half
Just a solid collection of soulful, big band and jazz adjacent music. Favorite tracks: "Deed I Do", "Just For a Thrill", "It Had to Be You"
While I prefer hearing Ray with a small combo instead of an orchestra, his passion is unparalleled and his soulfulness shines.
A soulful and swinging Ray Charles backed by a big band and orchestra adds another classic album to the greatest year in jazz, 1959.
Loved the big band and the second half was great too. Insane that its from 1958. Harsh not to give it 5/5.
Lot of Big Band Jazz and maybe Standards on this album. Not sure what to do with that… Can’t listen to too much of it at a time. Two Years of Torture, now there’s a good song.
This definitely makes me feel like I'm in a mid-nineties Meg Ryan movie, which is probably unfortunate. Don't get me wrong - I LOVE me some Sleepless in Seattle or When Harry met Sally - but I think the inclusion of this genre of music in all of these films has probably whitewashed it somewhat. I'm guessing this was pretty hep cat stuff at the time, but we'll never know because to our generation, it's walking through Central Park with a pumpkin spice latte. What I do think is really cool is that it's really at the transition time between Big Band and Rock - and you can definitely hear that it's riding the line, and that something different is about to explode on the scene.
Joya.
Got me snapping my fingers, a real great album
I preferred the first half of the album with the full band to the string-only back half, with one exception being Come Rain or Come Shine, which might be my favorite track from the entire album.
4, makes me feel old and young
Listened Before? N I'm a man of few words today but this one was good. Nice and mellow. I enjoyed it. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Come Rain or Come Shine
it's good!
the genius of ray charles indeed
Missing "In the Heat of the Night"
An exquisitely curated collection of standards, back with a big band and anchored by Ray Charles’ sprightly piano and emotion-soaked voice. Melancholy, but in a way that doesn’t leave the listener feeling drained.
Definitely liked this better than Country and Western. The arrogance of the title of this album feels earned.
Not bad for someone who can't see what he's doing.
Blissful, classy, the vocals are amazing both in the lead and on rge choruses, the lyrics, not as much, not bad, sometimes pretty good and most of the time they speak about love, not as poetic, pretty straightforward, though th
I really enjoyed this! Not my typical music taste but this would be wonderful music to have a relaxing morning to!
quite calming music, all of the songs sounded pretty much the same but overall the experience of this album was very good.
a complete vibe. loved the saxophone
8/10 Fave: Don't let the sun catch you crying
One of Soul's progenitors, Ray Charles, did a great job on this album. I wasn't really fascinated with the album's beginning, but it did grow on me as the minutes passed. I particularly enjoyed Ragtime Band and Just for a Thrill. One thing I can say is, although I really appreciate the musicianship here (and Charles is a great pianist for sure), a lot of the songs just didn't capture my attention much. All I can say is; great album, just need to get used to the sounds more.
Really lovely music. If you don’t like mid-tempo stuff, I can see you getting bored. And I’m usually like that, but I think Ray did it better than nearly anyone. A-
Come Rain or Come Shine by Ray Charles was our wedding waltz so it has a special place in my heart. This is a blend of big band sound and then the B side with some sweet ballads and lush strings. Ray had the ability to hop genres and his voice and fabulous piano are timeless
I know Ray Charles is a genius, and I'll increase my rate here to four-star based on that information. The album itself is ok, a lovely piece of music. Nothing much more
This was highly enjoyable. I preferred the first half of this album but the second half was great, too.
Bien fait, très cool.
På tide med et gjenlytt av musikerane til Count Basie. Merke at eg e ein sucker for gode blåserekke
This is such a great mix of what Ray Charles does best. There’s also hints of big band and standards coupled in that give the album a unique spin in Rays discography.
Genius is fair.
Marvelous album. Great jazz in general. A couple of amazing songs, like "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin'" and the opening with "Let the Good Times Roll"
Some nice old timey pop. 50s must be my highest rated genre now for some reason
Great stuff.
High Energy and swinging as it gets. Classic.
Grayt
Jazzy
I was surprised how jazzy this album is. I actually liked the second half better than the first, even though it was more laden with strings and 50s style pop production which I don't usually like. The songwriting in the second half (side) seems stronger to me. A quality album. 4 🌟
Vanha soul ja rythm and blues kyllä iskee meikäläiseen. Enää ku olis loputun määrä röökii 4/5
Mestari. Eipä paljon muuta sanottavaa kuin todellinen klassikko, 4/5.
4/5 genius indeed.
It was fun to listen to and very mood setting. I think “deed i do“ was my favorite song in this album
Absolutely fantastic (8/10) FT: Come Rain or Come Shine, Tell Me You'll Wait for Me
It takes a pair to call your album "The Genius Of"... yourself. But for Ray Charles it is well deserved. His voice is wonderful, and the songs are timeless.
Awesome stuff. It loses one star because the blaring horns really started grating on me.
Ray Charles is always amazing. Doesn't matter what he does. I didn't give it five stars because of the lack of hits. But I could certainly listen to him all day.
real musical genius
Greatly preferred the latter half...
Really nice mix of classical Ray Charles, top music with some really smooth lyrics. Love it!
Opinions are based off first listen, notes are in order of tracks. Track 1, Let the Good Times Roll, had a very good backtrack and vocal performance. It’s definitely from the late 50’s, given that the trumpet is so present in the mix. The lyrics have a good message, and I overall enjoyed the song quiet a bit. Track 2, It Had to Be You, was a very pretty baller type of track. You can hear the Sinatra influence, but it has its on flair of uniqueness. This track had an even stronger vocal performance and the back track was much more to my liking. Track 3, Alexander’s Ragtime Band, was a very lively track. Not much to say lyrically, but the music makes up for it 2 times over. It’s very basic 50’s music, definitely above average, but it’s something I’m not used to. The new change is very welcomed and appreciated. Track 4, Two Years of Torture, once again followed the same formula. However, the formula works for this style if music. I’ve yet to get bored of the blaring trumpets and bellowing of low notes. I enjoyed the pause near the end of the track and the last verse, it was a nice way to wrap up the track. The lyric performance also took a step up in this track, but still not amazing. Track 5, When Your Lover Has Gone, was a beautiful track. Although I can’t relate to the lyrics of my lover being gone, it’s a basic message that anyone can relate to. The trumpets continue on in the background, and the vocals continue to stay strong. The vocal performance on this track however, was much more soft, which was a nice change. Track 6, Deed I Do, had a nice transition from the last track. The instrumental and vocal performance didn’t stand out much. Overall a good track, and it continues to show the artists talent. Track 7, Just For a Thrill, was another quieter song. Good vocals, instruments and lyrics. Overall brings the same energy as the last tracks, but adds the first incorporation of something new. The use of piano and a choir in the background was a nice touch. It made the track stand out in a sea of trumpet. Track 8, You Won’t Let Me Go, continued with the piano and back choir. Another balled type piece with a strong vocal performance. Very enjoyable listen, but nothing stand out about this track. Track 9, Tell Me You’ll Wait for Me, had nothing too special about it. Not much more variation from the last 2 piano incorporated tracks. Overall another good track, showing the artists consistency on this lp. Track 10, Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Cryin’, once again followed the pattern observed in the last couple of tracks. How we this track had much more use of a string instrument, likely harp or violin. This made the track a little more interesting, but still not much of a standout. Track 11, Am I Blue, once again was the same thing. It’s starting to get a little bit repetitive, and I’m enjoying the pattern less and less. I would not be able to tell the last 5 or so tracks apart from one another. That could be because my ears aren’t trained to the sound, but it’s the way I feel about them. Track 12, Come Rain or Come Shine, was Boring. It sounded the same as the last tracks. Good way to close the track, but ruined by the respective nature of the tail end of the lp. The second half of the lp started off strong, but didn’t change much of anything as it went on. This caused the album to get very boring. However, the change from the first half to second half made the lp quite dynamic and interesting. Overall, the album was a fun listening experience, it just left much to be desired. I’d give this album a 7.5/10.
The seventh album from Ray Charles. Ray sings standard songs from The Great Amercian Songbook (early 20th American jazz standards, popular songs and show tunes). Apparently, this is his breakout from Rhythm & Blues to a bigger, broader musical stage. The songs on Side 1 are backed by a Big Band and are more of that style. Side 2 songs are backed by a string arrangement with more emphasis on Ray's piano. The singing of Ray is outstanding throughout. I liked the Side 2 songs better with the string arrangement background since the focus was more on Ray's voice and the songs seemed more soulful. Not that the big band style completely buried Ray's voice though. For sure, the highlights of this album are the last three songs, "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin'," "Am I Blue?," and "Come Rain or Come Shine," where he takes his soulful voice to a whole other level. I thought this album might sound too dated for me to completely like but with repeated listens, I really enjoyed it and appreciated the music and the genius of Ray.
Ray Charles is definitely a genius, but this is not really the album I'd use to demonstrate that. This is great music for listening to while wallowing in a nice hot bath. Not something that rewards close listening.
Love songs,
Grandma and grandpa’s house.
MUSIC FROM WAY BACK. GOOD ALBUM
Oldschool, swingy big band, blown out horns, badass.
One of the better singers of the history. Great to hear him. Hope to listen more of his works soon
To chill and relax! Melhor música: Come Rain or Come Shine
Charles is top-tier in this album, and some of the beautiful performances I've heard from him are on this album! Especially "Come Rain or Come Shine" and "Am I Blue"!
Timeless
elegant
Nice soulful voice. The album was an enjoyable listen. Not my usual genre of music bit did enjoy the album. Will most likely listen to some more of his work
Buen álbum de Jazz
Great album
far better than I was expecting.
Legend!
Piano man
Good stuff.
Georgia
Classic und schon echt gut
Nice little bit of easy listening style jazz. Fave track - toss up between "Alexander's Ragtime Band" and "Come Rain or Come Shine"
Ray Charles delivers an excellent vocal performance. However, in the wake of what was happening in jazz at the time, his big band backed vocals sound a little dated. His piano playing is bluesy and is often subtle. Overall, a wonderfully coherent album if not a bit samey.
Classic
With most of my knowledge of Ray Charles having been gleaned from watching him in The Blues Brothers, I wasn’t expecting an album of swinging big band American jazz numbers backed with a selection of seductive, smoky ballads. I wasn’t disappointed though.
Very enjoyable album with some great classics.
Enjoyable album, I especially liked the first few songs. Unfortunately his version of Come Rain or Come Shine does not come close to Billie Holiday's version, so I almost docked some points for that, but in the end I still really enjoyed almost all of the album.
Just a fun album to listen to.
I've been getting into "older person" music more recently (because I am becoming an old person) and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Maybe a little much in the horns and strings department, but this seems to be the norm in the day, and I'm actually getting use to it and enjoy it. Anyways, a classic record from old Ray!
This was good. Easy listening. Sounded like most music from the 50s
Surprised by this. Really nice and mellow tunes
Feels very New York Christmas. Very cool and boozy
Quintessential example of Big Band music although the recording quality is really poor. Very sudden but welcome transition to ballads in the second half.
Really smooth album to listen to, amazing vocals, happily have it on as background music whenever. Solid 4/5
I enjoyed this, though it does get a bit samey after a while. Absolute legend though, and makes me imagine being at a big party in the 60s. Feels weird not to give him 5/5 but there we go
Never heard anything but his huge hits and the songs from the movie. Enjoyed this album a lot.
Loved the big band stuff from the first half, and the ballads were really nice as well. Favorites: Let the Good Times Roll, It Had to Be You, Am I Blue
great album
I like the rock/blues vocals over the Lawrence Welk arrangements. Ha. I really mean that as a compliment. How can a person hear this and not love it. I'm giving it a 4/5 because being a teen in 1959 would have been awful without music like this. Hold on kids, 1964 is just a few short years away and you'll be in college, better understood, and very stoned soon...
fínt
Silky smooth voice. Soaring instrumentals. I have a very specific love of Ray Charles that is entirely cultivated from the film soundtrack. This doesn't have most of my faves on it, but it's a good place for me to start delving deeper. Some wonderful moments in here. You won't let me go and Am I Blue really got me weeping invisible but very real tears.
A real RAY of sunshine. It’s just delightful, effortless, blissful, and makes me wonder why I’ve not given Ray Charles more than a cursory look before.
4.5 - I feel like I'm enjoying Sunday brunch at a medium upscale restaurant on a sunny day, waiting in relaxed anticipation of that first cocktail. This record starts with peppy big band tracks and then gradually mellows into tender ballads. Ray Charles' voice sounds like gravelly honey.
Gute Platte.
Pretty fun!! Cool arrangements and Ray Charles’s voice and performances are so iconic. Still, a lot of these tunes fell kind of flat for me, but that might’ve been bc I was listening in the car on crappy earbuds. 7/10
Okay, a little boring. 7
8/10. Enjoyable, quick songs. Rather samey, but doesn't drag on.
Fun to listen to but the last couple songs got slow. Also there are some production issues that are a product of time. 7/10
Genius!
First album here. This was a good album. Wasn't anything super special, just a solid blues album. The audio quality was surprisingly good for an album from 1959. 3.7/5
Great one, very solid recording, that production is just amazing!
Nice to hear, what a voice! Lots of good songs. Some of the content of his songs haven't aged very well but these are pretty good for the most part.
I love Ray Charles and was obsessed with him for awhile. I love his phrasing on nearly everything. His music is like a comfort food to me. The Atlantic years are definitely my favorite period but the recording on this album is kinda harsh, especially when listened to on headphones. Wish I had this on vinyl. Definitely prefer side B with the more low key arrangements that allow you to hear his piano playing more clearly. Kinda wish the whole album was in that more restrained style but "Let The Good Times Roll" from Side A really swings.
What a joy! Just right up my alley. When you think of the ten most known Ray Charles songs, I'm guessing not a one of them are included on this album. And yet this comes as close to a perfect Ray Charles album as you're going to find, especially from this era. I expected to hear Ol' Ray's version of "Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying" to be the one I only knew by Gerry and the Pacemakers, so this version was new to me. I'm sure Ray would have nailed that version, too. Look, it goes without saying Ray's a legend and both albums on this list deserve placement in the upper echelon. But after hearing Ray's version of "Come Rain Or Come Shine", I have a hot take. I prefer Don Henley's version. If you knew my appreciation of Henley's work that wouldn't be surprising at all. I could listen to Don Henley and Ray Charles sing the phone book.
Amazing album!
For an album this old, the recording quality is very surprising. The horns at times can sound a little squished, but the mix is actually quite nice with nothing mixed too low. I've never been well versed in music before about the 70's, but this album makes me want to change that. The Genius of Ray Charles was much more enjoyable than I expected; however, I much prefer the first half to the second. Highlights: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 12.
Won a game of tft to this :)
Wonderful to hear Ray with a full orchestra! A legend
Holy horns, Ray! The production on this record really elevates these songs. I felt like reaching for my non-existent Old Fashioned the second "Let the Good Times Roll" started playing. Even if Ray Charles has objectively better songs from different albums, the first half of this record put a smile on my face. The latter half is mostly slowed down piano ballads, but honestly, he earned it. Time to dive deeper into Ray's lengthy discography. 3.5/5 Fav Tracks: Just For A Thrill, Let the Good Times Roll, Come Rain or Come Shine
A compelling mix of late period big band and piano ballads tied together by Ray Charles' soulful delivery. Not everything lands perfectly, but it leaves a warm impression. Ultimately, I think some of his strongest work is elsewhere. Rating: 3.5/5 Favourite tracks: Let the Good Times Roll, Come Rain or Come Shine
Storbandsjazz. Rätt bra.
Mooi.
Goeie uptempo bigband muziek
Really enjoyed this, definitely deserves the acclaim
Jazzy
This was a good one. All classic songs and very mellow as we read our books before bed. ****
A high 3 from me, rounded up to a 4. Love Ray Charles, but would've preferred a more soul album than the one we got. A sign of the times, but wish the album was longer too.
I respect him
4/5
Gut
tres bon musicien inspiré mais encore pas le bon album ma préferé hit the road jack
Good old Ray. I’d heard some of these before. Others are new. I like how the album was arranged, A side having different instrumentation from the B side. Great listening for a Sunday morning
Great jazzy/R&B/big band music from a legend
extremely good
Classic. Good stuff.
Not something I would typically listen to, but I really enjoyed this. 3.5 stars.
Genius. Most of them.
Just a phenomenal talent and Ray shines on this release. True legend, true genius.
The music is great, but my goodness this album is abysmally recorded.
8
Production: 11/20 Songwriting: 15/20 Innovation: 10/20 Bangers: 20/20 Emotional response: 16/20 =72 Lovely stuff
Another “let the good times roll”. Listened twice.
Good sample opportunities...should resisten
Swing
I have had friends who are really into Tom Waits but my only exposure to him was Step Right Up. Sexy, jazzy,
Classic Ray!
Not as prolific of an album I’d thought it would be but Ray can still knock em down
good
the "I'm gonna pretend I didn't see that" guy ray charles is good. great selection this week again so far
Great album. Preferred the back half of more piano-based ballads to the first brass band stuff
I recognize the genius of Ray Charles- but personally I've never been a huge fan of loud horns, big band style music. Four stars for being a building block of popular music just not really my thing
A lot better than expected. I went into this with some preconceived notions, unfortunately, but I still enjoyed most of the album. The ballads are definitely better than the uptempo.
1959. Key Songs: It Had to Be You, Am I Blue, Alexander's Ragtime Band
It's a Ray Charles album.
It was pleasant enough and he has a good voice
I'm really lost for something to say here and I can't tell if this is burnout or just a general disinterest in the record beyond its passable listenability; it's pleasant. That's the best thing I can give it. Probably could've died without hearing this one. Recording quality is pretty great for the 50s though.
I guess Ray Charles just isn’t really one of my guys. I don’t know why. Life is a mystery
I mean, the guy’s legendary. What a voice! Hard to hate any of this, although I think I prefer the slower second side.
cool but not it for me
Ray Charles is an odd one for me. This album came out in ‘59 in one of jazz’s greatest years ever. But odd as it may sound, I wish there was more Ray Charles on this Ray Charles record. Hot take but a few tracks have him mixed way lower than he deserves for a solo album. Not my style of big band jazz, but it’s certainly good.
Kinda surprised Ray didn’t write any of these tracks. Nice arrangements, wild stereo separation, but just decent overall.
Album très dur à juger, à ce stade c’est de la paléontologie Je peux pas faire sembler de trouver ça danser ou stimulant, c’est juste plus d’actualité Quand même, la voix et le charisme de Ray Charles me sont toujours très agréables et les instruments restent superbes Bon en fait l’écoute est agréable. Tell me you’ll wait for me ! Am i blue ! Et come rain or come shine ! Chapeau l’artiste, pour avoir réussi à m’intéresser. Je pense préférer la seconde moitié 7/10
good ol' jazz.
Bien
Nice, won’t remember in a day or two though…
The music is nice but it's honestly a little hard for me to tell how much of a genius Ray Charles is when I can't really tell most big band music apart
The front half is fun, even if the recording quality isn’t great. The second half kind of lost me with one ballad after another.
1 and 3 bangers
This album is a good one! "Alexander's ragtime band" it's a funny song.
Chill to listen to, would listen again if in the mood for this type of thing.
This album really felt like one big performance from start to finish. The big band elevated it a lot and the outcome shines bright. The voice of Ray Charles is pretty impressive as well. Not so much in terms of the tones he hits, but in his firm delivery. It was a fun listen but I feel as if the songs would have stood out a bit more if more distinct ideas had been incorporated. Right now the same idea is being repeated over and over. It is a well-developed one but I would have loved to hear more variations of it. I liked "Let The Good Times Roll" and "Am I Blue".
Didn’t really grab me
Ray Charles’ voice is divine. The rest of just okay, but I got a bit bored with it.
Genial finde ich etwas hoch gegriffen, aber schon gut über weite Teile.
Nett.
Sure, it’s fine. Horns are mixed sooo loud on some songs, goddamn.
i would definitely give this 3 stars. I do find it quite good and the beat is honestly quite vibey but not something I would listen to often.
Third week into this. Let’s get jazzy and blue-y with it. I liked this. Obviously it’s iconic work that has stood the test of time and its influence is undeniable. BUT it did get a bit too repetitive for something titled ‘The Genius of Ray Charles’. —Poem— silhouettes of stripped back dark warmth and bright voids past-radio tones glimmering from the roofs to bright reflections bouncing off the busts on which they skewed scents caressing cheeks lightly pre- stains of the lips this invite is without close the answer is waiting at yours
RATING: 7.5/10 HIGHLIGHT: Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Cryin’ LOWLIGHT: When Your Lover Has Gone
Why they gotta put all the upbeat songs on side a and all the ballads on side b? They're both good, but mix it up.
Not my style
Peaceful as fuck
Сборник песен
Back to the 50s for this one! Let the good times roll started with a bombastic horn entrance which, unsurprisingly, I thought was awesome. It had to be you was alright. It was more of what I expected out of this album, but I was slightly disappointed after enjoying the first track so much. I felt like I could totally swing dance to Alexander’s Loblaw Band. Your lover has gone was actually quite a good listen. Deed I do was upbeat and funky. I liked the piano in just for a thrill. You won’t let me go was quite… boring. Don’t let the sun catch you… was also sort of boring but better. Come rain come shine was a pretty decent way to end things. Overall I didn’t hate this, just not my thing. I think Ray Charles was a very talented dude, and had a great impact on music, I just don’t love his stuff. 3/5 ⭐️ 172/1089
Pretty decent, good to go back and hear some of these in original format. Overall a middling to good album
Un peu décevant, ça manque de subtilité et c’est un peu cliché, en terme de jazz vocal je préfère Nina Simone
#36 An easy listen, but not something I generally seek out. The first half was all big-band, and stood out more than the latter half of similar sounding string-backed ballads. Alexander's Ragtime Band is my personal highlight.
A couple great songs and a lotta filler
There seems to be a trend of African American artists who take up orchestral or big band arrangements. I guess that was a way into society. I don't love some of the arrangements here as I am not totally onboard with the upper crustal regions of culture. What does come across here, is the voice. It saunters, meanders and strolls. It has a quality that forces you to listen. It is a great voice. I like Ray Charles' country album in spite of the arrangements and I feel a little less so here. That is probably more due to the growing up with more country than 50s rock and roots music. If this was just Ray and his piano, it would be an easy 4 and possibly a 5. Finally, I really let my personal choice touch this one and I will give it a 3. It would be okay if I was visiting business or lawyer friends who genuinely loved big band.
3.5 stars
Not my cup of tea, but it was actually ok.
Grand and confessional. Highlights: It had to be you, don’t let the sun catch you crying
I really wanted this album to score higher but two things held it back. 1.) The overall production is poor, leading to crackles and garbled, maxed out distortion on the high end. 2.) The first half of The Genius of Ray Charles consists of big band songs with accompanying brass. I'm not against big band, but you're here for Ray Charles and he's lost in the loudness (see previous complaint). You can't even hear his piano during this segment. Thankfully this is rectified in a lower-key second half that allows the real genius to shine.
druga połowa albumu >> pierwsza
So smooth. Not really done much Ray Charles, but it's enjoyable. perhaps a tad too easy, But that was the style of the time I guess. It certainly earns its spot on the list, but for me personally it's just a 3.
It's fine. Not a fan of vocal jazz. But this is pretty good
Ok, but not my favourite Ray Charles, seems somewhat stilted at times.
Couple of hits, not a bad album, pretty average overall.
It’s good but pretty non-eventful and not a lot of the tracks stood out, with the exception of ‘Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying’ and ‘Come Rain or Come Shine’. Also, there wasn’t much meaning or cohesiveness to the songs it was sort of like “oh here’s this one, and then, oh here’s that one”, it wasn’t much to grasp onto to say the least. I’m pretty confused why this is on a list of ‘1001 albums to listen to before you die’. Obviously Ray Charles is a legend, he was a 50s musician and is still lionised today with 10 million Spotify monthly listeners which is EXTREMELY impressive if you just take a moment to consider that. Nonetheless, I think it wouldn’t be a remote loss to anyone to have not listened to this album before their death and I don’t mean to sound like a dick, I’m just being honest, I think there are much better choices you could pick.
Good!
Beautiful songs, and the man is an amazing performer. But overall, there wasn't anything groundbreaking in here for me
Very cool album, has a big band swing thing going on side 1 and a more blues/ballad orchestral groove on side 2. I prefer a more upbeat Ray but fans will like this one. It is a cool listen but I don't see myself replaying this a lot, I would just stream the songs I really liked.
Ray Charles is an exceptional talent. So fun listening to this pre Beatles stuff and contextualizing what they achieved against this style. While the vocals and piano is clearly impressive - I’m not coming back to this over and over and over again like I am to post Beatles sounds.
This album is just okay. It doesn't sound bad in any way, but I didn't feel anything for this album.
Good and fun, but surpassed by others over time.
Late night lonely bar vibes. This would keep me ordering another whisky on the rocks.
It is really not my type of music, but i think it is good enough
This is nice, Ray is a legend, brass is a bit splashy after a while, which took the shine off it for me.
Ray Charles is one of those artists I've heard of a lot without having really heard much of their music. This album was pretty good, but I didn't find myself blown away by it. Perhaps I need to listen to it again sometime, but for now I'm rating it off my first impression.
6 - good not great. Ray was never my fav
Rays a cool singer, great voice - this album was decent without being outstanding
Very good if you like jazz I’m not the biggest jazz fan so 6/10 but if you like jazz then like 8 or 9/10
Not crazy at all about the arrangements, but it's Ray freakin' Charles.
Ой важко мені сприймати музику Рея Чарльза більш ніж щось фоново-архаічне. Втім пару пісень додав собі у плейлист.
My 2nd Ray Charles album. I liked it more than the other, another man with a great voice.
Preferred the first half to the second, but not bad overall
Wow, I did not expect to like this! I thought it would be kind of samey and old fashioned, but I actually was vibing a lot. I thought it was extremely cohesive and ended in a nice climax.
Liked the back half of the album more than the front
Very nice - didn't really get out of 3rd gear for me though. 3.5 stars.
Ray Charles is a genius. The arrangements didn't really do much for me, but he did. His playing is so fun and his charmisma shines through. It's enought to make this a great listen.
Not my favourite of Charles's work. In general, I just don't the slower stuff of this genre (see: 'Just For A Thrill'). Don't get me wrong: he does a much better job of this tempo than the vaunted crooners of this age (the Rat Pack can stuff it) but whenever I hear that ponderous brushed beat on the kit and that plodding, plunking at the bass, I get myself ready for boredom. Makes a good tune for a slow dance at a wedding, though. Thank goodness for the piano interlude or I'd need to be taken to the hospital in a coma. Otherwise, it's Ray Charles. It's pretty solid. Ought to be a 4 but there's much better work of his. This is apparently considered his "breakout" from rhythm & blues but I'd say it's more like his watering-down for mainstream (white) audiences of 1959 -- it's worse. But I guess if Pat Boone is going to make bank on enshittified versions of Black music, Ray Charles has every right to try to do a better job of it. Anyway, it's 60% Ray Charles and 40% country club-palatable boredom. 3/5
This one kinda flipped back and forth between being some great, Falloutcore-esque music, and more bluesy stuff that I'm not crazy for. So overall, just kinda middling for me, but still a good album.
En ollut aiemmin kuunnellut Ray Charlesia, vaikkakin olen joskus vuosia sitten katsonut miehestä kertovan elämäkertaelokuvan. Ihan kelvollinen levy on kyseessä. Viime aikoina on ollut vähän väsymystä tämän projektin kanssa, mutta eiköhän tämä tästä iloksi käänny.
Good Album. Distinct Style. Not really my cup of tea however..
yea this kinda bluesy jazz isnt for me. but still a good eye opening album
I like it, but it doesn’t stick with me as much as Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music. Likes: It Had To Be You; Alexander’s Ragtime Band; Am I Blue; Come Rain or Shine
What I admire about Ray Charles is that he knows what he’s doing musically. He knows how to layer the horns together, his songwriting is simple and yet from the heart. But as I listen to big band music like this from this same era of music, I can’t help but be questioning constantly, “I’ve listened to this somewhere, haven’t I?” It’s as if the structure of the songs he makes have the same as many of that time period. Though I recognize the beauty and timeless nature of this album, I don’t think this is something I’d revisit any time soon or in the distant future. Overall Score: Strong 5