Search - Ray Charles :: Ray Charles - Soul Genius

And I Thought I Was Too Old to Cry!

Charlie Goodetime | Maryland | 07/20/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ok, I admit at the start that I'm a Ray Charles fan and that I can't remember anything he's recorded that I didn't like. Some more than others, of course, but none that I would pan. So along comes 'Soul Genius' and I couldn't believe that I had to ratchet up my admiration several more notches, wipe a tear from my eye and swallow the lump in my throat. I'm talking about the last track on this CD. It's Ray doing 'America The Beautiful' as I've never heard it before. Alright, by way of further disclosure, I'll admit to being a patriotic nut that chokes up on 'The Star Spangled Banner' but that aside I'm talking music and I'm talking heart and soul poured into songs as only Ray can do! Every track on this CD exemplifies that 'no-holds barred' commitment that real artists like Ray pour into their work. You'll find Ray's heart, you'll find Ray's soul and you'll find yourself enjoying the expanse of Ray's genius in songs that cover a wide range of musical genre. From Broadway musicals (Oklahoma and South Pacific)to soulful 'Georgia On My Mind" and 'Can't Stop Loving You' to the rousing and unashamedly patriotic climax, 'America The Beautiful'.

Finally, you've surely concluded by now that I'm not really reviewing this CD so much as praising it. So I'll listen to it carefully for many more times and maybe, just maybe, I'll detect a flat or sour note somewhere and then rewrite this review. But don't hold your breath!

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