Elly Roberts reviews
Ray Charles:
Genius Loves Company
Distributed by
Concord (EMI)
- Released: August 2004
- Rating: 10/10
- Cat. No: 7243 8 66540 2 1
Track listing:
1. Here We Go Again (with Norah Jones)
2. Sweet Potato Pie (with James Taylor)
3. You Don’t Know Me (with Diana Krall)
4. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word (with Elton John)
5. Fever (with Natalie Cole)
6. Do I Ever Cross Your Mind? (with Bonnie Raitt)
7. It Was A Very Good Year (with Willie Nelson)
8. Hey Girl (with Michael McDonald)
9. Sinner’s Prayer (with B.B.King )
10. Heaven Help Us All (with Gladys Knight)
11. Over The Rainbow (Johnny Mathis)
12. Crazy Love (with Van Morrison)
When Ray Charles died on 10 June 2004 he left behind a huge legacy.
He accrued 12 Grammy awards between 1960 and 1993 acquiring the nick name
‘Genius‘.
Ray Charles Robinson was born on 23 September 1930, he single-handedly
invented Soul music by bringing together the fervour of Gospel, the secular
lyrics and narratives of Blues and Country, the big-band arrangements of
Jazz, and the rhythms and improvisational possibilities from them all.
The net result was both sophisticated and spontaneous, (all found here)
releasing his eponymously - titled first album in 1957. Those entire eclectic
influences turn up as the stars come out to play on his final studio recording.
Born into abject poverty in Albany Georgia and raised in Florida, he began
playing piano at the tender age of five. At six he contracted glaucoma, which
went untreated and eventually left him blind.
He studied composition (writing music in Braille), he also learned to play
alto sax, clarinet, trumpet and organ while attending St. Augustine School
for the Deaf and Blind from 1937 to 1945.
Big guns like Elton John, B.B.King, and Willie Nelson turn
up on his final recording sessions of this generational cross over, turning
it into a real melting pot of genres. The synthesis of established and new
performers makes this a charming and endearing collection as he draws on
all his eclectic styles.
There are some great renditions and musical moments
particularly from B.B.King, Natalie Cole, Van Morrison with all songs
perfectly suited to their individual talents. Charles does fail to impress
on the odd occasion – Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word, and Do I
Ever Cross Your Mind.
However he does excel on my favourites, including – Sweet Potato Pie, Fever -
with Natalie Cole giving a world class contribution, the awesome It Was A
Very Good Year with Nelson’s sharp country lilt, Sinner’s Prayer
with BB, as the pair play off each other in a perfect Bluesy manner. Final
song, a live recording with Van Morrison is a real mutual appreciation
society number, closing a magical experience for them and me.
His life was a true rags to riches story. Triumph overcoming tragedy. Light
transcending darkness. This CD is a fitting epitaph to a legend in his own
right.
And check out
Ray Charles.co.uk
Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
