skeith Posted July 28, 2004 Report Posted July 28, 2004 Given Ray's recent death and the fact that someone said they just got this on LP, I thought I'd bring it up. This is perhaps my favorite Ray Charles record, however those Marty Paich arrangements are just awful with the heavenly choir and strings, but still Ray manages to shine through - I just wish there was a version that stripped off the Paich stuff. However, the Gil Fuller, Gerald Wilson, and Sid Feller arrangements are great. Anyone else like this one? Quote
danasgoodstuff Posted July 28, 2004 Report Posted July 28, 2004 (edited) Love this (no surprise to anyone who's tracked my input here). One of the great cultural acheicements of the 20th century (no hyperbole). Yes some of the backing is pop in the worst way, but in context that was a show of solidarity by Ray since that was the price C&W and R&B had to pay for respectability back then. "If I could moan like a mo'ning dove"... There's a box that collects all forays into hayseed hickatude and hillbilly soul. Edited July 28, 2004 by danasgoodstuff Quote
Harold_Z Posted July 28, 2004 Report Posted July 28, 2004 I can't stop Loving You Born To Lose You Don't know Me All of the above got a lot of pop Radio play when this lp was first released. They were the hits off this album - but it's a remarkably consistant and interesting record. Ray realized that R&B and Country were flip sides of one coin - and apparently he realized it for some time. A few years before this release he did Hank Snow's I'm Moving On for Atlantic. Don't miss Vol 2. More of the same and including Ray's GREAT version of You Are My Sunshine, with the great Margie Hendrix chorus after the Basie style big band chorus. Quote
chris olivarez Posted July 29, 2004 Report Posted July 29, 2004 The strings and voices don't bother me an iota on this one. Ray Charles saw to it that they were not an overriding factor. It could have been pure dreck but Ray saw to it that it didn't happen. Ray Charles's presence turned possible chicken shit into chicken salad. He was one of the few artists who was capable of prevailing over these potentially negative elements and to this day very few singers can make this claim. It was a breakthrough masterpiece IMO. Quote
Harold_Z Posted July 29, 2004 Report Posted July 29, 2004 The strings and voices don't bother me an iota on this one. Same here. Quote
JSngry Posted July 29, 2004 Report Posted July 29, 2004 I dig how Ray retained his C&W-esque affection for tasteful and understated jackets to his dying days. Quote
danasgoodstuff Posted July 29, 2004 Report Posted July 29, 2004 Yeah, but unlike most C&W stars, at least he had an excuse! Seriously, a Nudie suit for Ray with sunglasses and canes would've been too much... Quote
Chalupa Posted July 29, 2004 Report Posted July 29, 2004 This is so weird. I bought a copy of this on vinyl(MONO) just yesterday for 5 bucks. I was in a used record store looking for some Mingus and stumbled across it. Now I just have to hook up my stereo.... Quote
JSngry Posted July 29, 2004 Report Posted July 29, 2004 This is so weird. I bought a copy of this on vinyl(MONO) just yesterday for 5 bucks. I was in a used record store looking for some Mingus and stumbled across it. Now I just have to hook up my stereo.... If you don't have a turntable, you're liing in the past. Quote
Chalupa Posted July 29, 2004 Report Posted July 29, 2004 LOL!! I had to take my stereo system apart a few weeks ago to paint and have been too lazy to put it back together. I know that's lame but hopefully this weekend I'll find time. I've got a bunch of listening to catch up on. Quote
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