Ray Charles' 1959 Studio Album The Genius of Ray Charles Reissued as Part of the Atlantic Records 75th Anniversary Series on Hybrid Stereo SACD.
The Genius of Ray Charles, his sixth studio album, released in 1959 by Atlantic Records, eschewed the the soul sound of his 1950s recordings, which fused jazz, gospel, and blues, for swinging pop with big band arrangements.
Charles is joined bymany ringers from the Count Basie and Duke Ellington bands for the first half of this program, featuring Charles belting out six songs arranged by Quincy Jones. "Let the Good Times Roll" and "Deed I Do" are highlights, and there are solos by tenorman David "Fathead" Newman, trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, and (on "Two Years of Torture") tenor Paul Gonsalves. The remaining six numbers are ballads, with Charles backed by a string orchestra arranged by Ralph Burns (including "Come Rain or Come Shine" and "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin'"). Charles' voice is heard throughout in peak form, giving soul to even the veteran standards.
- Let the Good Times Roll
- It Had to Be You
- Alexander's Ragtime Band
- Two Years of Torture
- When Your Lover Has Gone
- Deed I Do
- Just for a Thrill
- You Won't Let Me Go
- Tell Me You'll Wait for Me
- Don't Let The Sun Catch You Cryin'
- Am I Blue
- Come Rain or Come Shine
