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When you know you're working with the material of a legend, writing a review is a daunting task. This is the situation I found myself in when listening to the new Genius! - The Ultimate Ray Charles Collection. What could I possibly say about this collection and about his work? Nothing would accurately encompass what you actually hear while the CD is in your stereo.

Ray Charles passed away five years ago this June. In his memory he left behind collections of music so vast it's amazing to look through the catalogs. Especially when you consider he went blind by the age of seven years old.

Influenced by the likes of Duke Ellington and Art Tatum he went and received formal music education at a young age. Ray Charles wrote, composed and arranged his own works. He also played piano, organ, sax, clarinet, and trumpet.

A darker part of his history includes a heroin addiction which spanned decades. During this time he befriended Quincy Jones and their friendship lasted a lifetime. He and Jones worked on quite a few sessions together throughout their careers.

The Ultimate Collection, Genius, a 21-track album of some of the best Ray Charles hits released on April 7, 2009 courtesy of Concord Records. These are the tracks written and/or recorded throughout the 50s and 60s. This is during a darker time in Ray Charles life while he was battling the aforementioned heroin addiction.

This collection begins with "Hit the Road Jack" a fitting track to get you right in the mood for all that is to come. Written by Percy Mayfield the track has Ray Charles on vocals and piano. This was a number one billboard hit in 1961.

"Unchain My Heart" plays at number seven on the list and you hear such an incredible collaboration in this track. The song was written by Bobby Sharp and Ray Charles was the first to record it. While listening you'll hear the backing vocals of the Raelettes as well as the intense sax skills of David "Fathead" Newman. I think it's important to note the backing vocals and band for Ray Charles definitely helped him rise above many other great artists of his time.

Tracks written by Ray Charles himself include "What'd I Say," "I've Got a Woman" (co-written by Renald Richard), "Hallelujah I Love Her So," and "A Fool for You."

The most recent recording on the track is the last one, the only one spanning outside the 50s and 60s. The song is a fitting ending, "America the Beautiful" which was recorded in 1972. This version of "America the Beautiful" is a big part of Ray Charles' legend. It is said he originally didn't want to cover the song because it came during a time of pain and suffering in the US. But once he did take it on he made it a true staple of liberty.

Any fan of Ray Charles probably already has these songs on other discs. But the compilation isn't bad if you're interested in listening to the early years of his mastery. The packaging comes with a 24-page collectors' book of rare photos and jazz writer Don Heckman liner notes.

Streaming link from Concord Records - "Hit the Road Jack"

Ray Charles - Genius: The Ultimate Collection Tracklisting:
1. Hit The Road Jack
2. What'd I Say (Part 1)
3. Busted
4. I Can't Stop Loving You
5. Sticks And Stones
6. Drown In My Own Tears
7. Unchain My Heart
8. Georgia On My Mind
9. I've Got A Woman
10. You Are My Sunshine
11. Take These Chains From My Heart
12. Hide Nor Hair
13. Let's Go Get Stoned
14. You Don't Know Me
15. Hallelujah I Love Her So (Live)
16. Crying Time
17. A Fool For You
18. One Mint Julep
19. Here We Go Again
20. Yesterday
21. America The Beautiful

Labels: Ray Charles

My little boy has a disc man that he often will sit and listen to for an hour at a time. He'll sing to the music, it's great to listen. (For those of you new to Bring Me Up, my son is freshly four years old).

Recently, I made him a Christmas album and had to sift through hundreds of tracks to come up with songs I thought he'd enjoy. Yes, there were many indie songs on the finished compilation, but one song I couldn't go indie with was "Winter Wonderland." Why? Because Ray Charles has a fantastic version of Winter Wonderland and I just couldn't give Brae anything other than the best.

So on this 11th day of December I'm going to make sure you have a little bit of Ray Charles ear candy, too. ;o)

Listen:
Ray Charles - "Winter Wonderland" (mp3)

Labels: Christmas, Ray Charles