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The Genius Sings the Blues

Ray Charles

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iTunes Review

“Blues” was already a pretty elastic construction before Ray Charles came along, but The Genius Sings the Blues finds him stretching it even further. Not only did he recognize the music’s influence on Country-and-Western, he took a great Hank Snow number (“I’m Movin’ On”) all the way uptown with a Latin-tinged arrangement that also included steel guitar. Released shortly after his break with Atlantic Records and covering ground from his first session for the label (“The Midnight Hour”) to his last (“I Believe to My Soul”), Blues finds him wailing the most abject testimony (“Hard Times (No One Knows Better Than I),” which sees no escape until death) to the most high-rolling (the exquisitely sexy duet with Margie Hendrix on “(The Night Time is) The Right Time”). What no doubt began as a simple cash-in LP ends up as a spotlight on Ray’s ability to practically own a genre.

Customer Reviews

Every Ray Song Is Amazing

Every song that ray Charles put out is amazing, I am in awe at his genius and how much he achived to become a great musician. All thise songs are quite AMAZING especially I Believe to My Soul because thats Ray singing all the girls parts. Also (The Night Time) The Right Time is one of his bests. Appleshould get all his ABC recordings too because those include some of his classics.

Ray just can't be beat

Great stuff here! Oh yeah. Although...I hope Mr. Charles gave T-Bone Walker a few bucks for ripping "I Got A Break Baby" and calling it "Mr. Charle's Blues". Oh well, you know the drill...good artists create, GREAT artists s t e a l. Yeah! By CoolFreeHardBop - a certified Groovologist (accept NO substitute!)

you'll be feelin the blues after this album!

ray charles is a master at his craft (or to most a genius). with this record and its gut renching songs, you get a personal trip through the pain that is lurking inside the man who's always smiling. although What I'd Say 1&2 are masterpieces individualy, but the entire 1959 album is missing something. start to finish genius sing the blues is brilliant, and its his first true grasp at a perfect album until the heralded Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music. personally my favorite tracks off this record are (Hard Times, The Midnight Hour, Night Time Is The Right Time, Early in The Morning, Nobody Cares, and Feelin sad).

Biography

Born: September 23, 1930 in Albany, GA

Genre: R&B/Soul

Years Active: '40s, '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s, '00s

Ray Charles was the musician most responsible for developing soul music. Singers like Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson also did a great deal to pioneer the form, but Charles did even more to devise a new form of black pop by merging '50s R&B with gospel-powered vocals, adding plenty of flavor from contemporary jazz, blues, and (in the '60s) country. Then there was his singing; his style was among the most emotional and easily identifiable of any 20th century performer, up there with the likes of Elvis...
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