 |
 |
|
|
buying more than one thing? (uses Multi-Item Price Optimization™) ...or |
||
 |
 |
intereact!Ray Charles
Retail Price (not our price): $18.98
Release Date: 2004-08-31
Manufacturer: Concord Records
Format: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Track List
Now here, for your listening pleasure, the tracks...
| Disc 1 |
Editorial Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):
1) Amazon.com
The fact that Genius Loves Company will be Ray Charles's final new album inspires an unavoidable blue feeling. But it's also a happy reminder that the man spent the last months of his life at work doing what he loved. The overall effect of these dozen duets is autumnal and smooth. Brother Ray is on point and cruising here. Fine moments abound--you can hear his delight even in the rather stiff company of Diana Krall and Natalie Cole. His voice sounds a bit frayed by ill health at times, but it also allows for great performances like the slyness behind the ache in his version of the old soul hit "Hey Girl" with Michael McDonald and a grand "Crazy Love" with Van Morrison. Potently, he and Gladys Knight remind us of the continued timeliness of Stevie Wonder's "Heaven Help Us All." Its best moments make Company one more essential purchase for Ray Charles fans. --Rickey Wright
Customer Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):
Average Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5
1) For Fans [Rating: 3 out of 5]
If you just want to get everything Ray ever did, add this to your collection. If you're looking for something, don't look here. What happened to the time when performers brought their best when thay had a chance to sing with a legend. Like Aretha an Ray, or, Gladys and Ray. Even Billy Joel and Ray, Baby Grand was an exquisite song.2) Well named [Rating: 5 out of 5]
I love music, but I'm not a "word guy". Words and voice must be musical in addition to their meaning. Too many singers don't understand this as well as they should. Most of the singers on this album seem to understand that their voice is not just for recitation of the lyrics but is an instrument - and they excel at it. This is truly a wonderful album to listen to and I just never tire of it. Ray has obviously mastered his craft and it shows in this album. You can clearly hear him mentoring Norah Jones in "Here We Go Again" and hear the pride in his voice when she rises to his standards. And Billy Preston and his Hammond B3 is so important there that it's almost a trio rather than a duet. You can hear the give and take as he nudges Elton John out of his usual style and the delight when it works. The synergy with BB King is that of two old friends in a tight game of rummy - each with his own style and each knowing the others so well that neither wins or loses and both are happier for it. Bonnie Raitt seems to carry "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?" with Ray just along for a ride, but it works perfectly. There is so much music here and so much pride and so much joy. I'd give it 6 stars if I could.3) What a disappointment! [Rating: 1 out of 5]
Wish I'd saved my money. It was so disappointing to listen to wonderful guest singers married up with inappropriate songs. This was strictly a money-making proposition.4) Genius Loves Money [Rating: 1 out of 5]
This is the worst thrown together compilation of artists I've ever heard. Ray's vocals are terrible on this, and the collaboration with other artists seemed to be more about putting thir names on the outside of the album than actually making good music.5) Review of "Genius Loves Company," by Ray Charles [Rating: 5 out of 5]
This is an excellent album. Ray chose some of the world's most outstanding artists to sing with him - artists with varied styles, from country to pop to R&B. I especially enjoyed the duets with Willie Nelson, Gladys Knight, Johnny Mathis and Norah Jones.