Ray Charles - Genius Loves Company
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Free Music Notes for Genius Loves Company
Free Music Review: Amazing chemistry between Ray and whomever he sings with...
Hit: 5 Stars
Ray left us with a fantastic CD to remember him by. There are 12 songs and I thoroughly enjoyed 11 of them. Probably the best song here is the first one, "Here We Go Again" with Norah Jones. This baby just oozes with soul and Ms. Jones is mature beyond her years. A close second is Ray's duet with Gladys Knight on the gospel classic "Heaven Help Us All" with a huge choir and orchestra. To round out my top three is his duet with Van Morrison on the live "Crazy Love". I think that Ray brings the best out of Morrison.
The rest of this CD is near perfect as well. Some fabulous chart arrangements from Victor Vanacore on "Hey Girl" with Michael McDonald, "Somewhere over the Rainbow" with Johnny Mathis and "It Was a Very Good Year" with an old sounding Willie Nelson. Too bad `Ol Blue Eyes wasn't still around to sing it the way it was meant to be but the strings here sounded spectacular. Ray and Diana Krall nicely cover the Eddy Arnold classic "You Don't Know Me" and a playful Natalie Cole has some strong chemistry with Ray on "Fever". Then there's a duet with Bonnie Raitt playing some nasty slide at the beginning of "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?" and what a treat to have Ray on piano with BB King playing Lucille on "Sinner's Prayer".
The last song Ray ever recorded was his duet of "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" with Elton John. Nicely done but a bit disconcerting having two men singing a romantic duet together, even if one of them is Elton. The only weak track here is his duet of "Sweet Potato Pie" with James Taylor. To my ears, Ray sounds more like Randy Newman on this track and is there anybody with less soul than JT? But 11 great songs out of 12 is pretty damn good for a 70 year old man struggling with cancer.
So a superb song selection, nicely written liner notes, Billy Preston on the Hammond B3 throughout most of this CD and amazing chemistry between Ray and whomever he sings with makes for a fabulous swan song to a glorious and prolific career.
Free Music Review: A Touch Of Genius In Everything He Does
Hit: 5 Stars
I bought Genius Loves Company after I saw the movie 'Ray' and had the pleasure of being able to picture him as I heard him sing with Bonnie Raitt. Their recording was premier on the CD but I am very partial to Bonnie and her excellent slide guitar work. Van Morrison put aside his tendency to be stern and his scat work was good. James Taylor, the southern man, enjoyed his performance. I could hear it.
I've known and loved Ray Charles' music since he formed the Raylettes and crossed over into mainstream music when I was about fifteen. I've enjoyed each song he's recorded, bought many '45s, LPs and CDs, have my favourites and it wasn't until the 1980s that I discovered the double LP of his earliest years dating back to 1949. I bought the CD as soon as it became available.
There wasn't a song I was unhappy with on "Genius". I am not an expert on arrangement, orchestration or other technical bumpf, but I am knowledgeable regarding good sound. It sounded excellent to me and I didn't catch his tiredness. I especially enjoyed Somewhere Over The Rainbow with Johnny Mathis and You Don't know me with Norah Jones. Johnny Mathis and Ray singing together took me back to my teens and I will be sixty this year. I can imagine the fun he had recording those cuts.
That is what I got from this final recording. Fun. Ray's incredible capacity for fun throughout his life and struggles was one of the facets of his great persona that he has left with us.
He didn't have a disability when he sat at his piano and began to sing. I saw him in an outdoor concert venue once and wept with love and sheer delight. That is feeling I had when I bought his final recording. He is one in a million and as long as we have this technology we will have The Genius with us.
Free Music Review: This is the best album of the year.
Hit: 5 Stars
Genius Loves Company is an excellent album. Ray Charles performs 12 unforgettable duets with artists old and new. The result is the best album of the year so far. This CD will appeal to a lot of listeners, because each song is performed in a different musical style.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow is one of my favorite songs of all time. Ray performs a very pretty version of this song with the great Johnny Mathis. These two legendary voices sound so good together. I loved Ray's duet Sweet Potato Pie with James Taylor They sound like they are having so much fun singing this lively song. Do I Ever Cross Your Mind is a very romantic duet Ray sings with Bonnie Raitt. I love her slow subtle voice paired with Ray Charles very much. Amother highlight on Genius Loves Company is the beautiful but sad duet Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word with Elton John. Ray sings a wonderful song entitled Here We Go Again with Norah Jones. Her smooth pleasant voice sounds so good with Ray Charles here. Sinners Prayer is an excellent blues duet I forgot how well BB King could sing, because I'm only famillar with his work as a guitar player.
I enjoyed the song Hey Girl very much. I grew up listening to Michael McDonald's voice in the 70s and 80's. I am glad he was included on this album. I haven't heard from him in years. Hey Girl is a very nice duet. It Was A Very Good Year is a very semtimental duet with country legend Willie Nelson. I really enjoyed this song. I had so much fun listening to Genius Loves Company. This album is Ray Charles at his best!
Free Music Review: Out of Sight!! From Gospel to Country to Blues to JAZZ!
Hit: 5 Stars
If you hope to-be taken-back to those "Good old days" at either 17, 35 or even 75, this CD Does that for 22 Times of listening! Each time I've heard it, I added new thots! It seems that it was such a great treat for him to choose these performers, he lifted their sights and ability to perform close to his earlier days! As an inquisitive younger Lover of great Jazz, even a Bit of Country, Blues, Gospel- I was totally floored!
Not much agreement with: L. Quido, Howe/Darien, Shas/Trip or other reviews I was awesomely surprised in hearing his great Joy so near-to death/The Ray Charles singing with Variety of Genius! No doubt, He was All-time Favorite in areas of Gospel, Country, Yes, Blues + Jazz! Looking back into my deep Love of Music from Churches, Schools, Seminaries, the Movie, "Ray"... Then hearing this Awesome CD of Ray beside my favorite singers, I'm moved to Joy & Tears!
My best evaluation as noted in one Review: "What a way to die" then go out-into the Other-World: Than greet those Families-on-the Other-Side: the KING Family (BB or MLK,Jr); the COLE Family; Nelsons; Raitt's; Kralls; Knights...Especially My own Family of Hood's of "You are my Sunshine" From County Church, Traditional, Great Jazz! I believe he made each performer try to be great: B.B. Kimg, Bonnie Raitt, Natalie Cole, And even Johnny Mathis!
My Order: 1st Willie Nelson, 2, Natalie Cole, 3, Johnny Mathis, 4, Bonnie Raitt, 5, Gladys Knight--Counry on to Blues, to Pop, finally Great Jazz! Accolades from Retired Chaplain Fred W Hood
Free Music Review: Smoothjazz.com Review
Hit: 5 Stars
We lost him too soon. But we can thank that unstoppable Ray Charles determination for this last duets project. Ray held it together from July 2003 through March of this year to work with some of his best friends and colleagues as well as some new friends and fans. In his last session in March, the duet with Elton John, "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word," as Charles' health was declining, Concord executive John Burk reported that people were actually crying in the control room. Burk said, "Elton came back in to listen, and he started crying." When you listen to GENIUS LOVES COMPANY, you'll cry too, but mostly from joy. When I put this CD in the player, I instantly felt as happy as I've felt in a long time. Some old friends, some great songs and that unmistakable, rich voice of Ray Charles. James Taylor lends his "Sweet Potato Pie" and friendly vocals to the party. Diana Krall guests on a sultry version of "You Don't Me." Bonnie Raitt eases on down with Ray on "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind." Bonnie said, "Getting to record with Ray has been a lifelong dream and being part of this project has been one of the proudest and most moving moments in my life." Additional guests include long time friends, BB King, Gladys Knight and Willie Nelson, plus Norah Jones, Natalie Cole, Michael McDonald, Johnny Mathis and Van
Morrison. Thanks for giving us one for the road Ray. -Sandy Shore