CORPORATE LINE: After a year in the making, legendary pianist and composer Ray Charles will release his first, new recording since 2001 on Concord Records this fall. Mr. Charles has teamed with the likes of BB King, Norah Jones, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, and Willie Nelson for what is sure to be an unforgettable duets record. During a career that spans nearly six decades, Mr. Charles has appeared on over 250 recordings, many of them top-sellers, across a variety of genres. And, while he has performed with various artists in the past, this Concord Records release will be his first full album of duets.
THE GREAT:
“Here We Go Again” f/Norah Jones – Gorgeous. If we knew how good Jones and Ray Charles would go together we’d have demanded a whole album of duets.
“You Don’t Know Me” – f/Diana Krall –Ray Charles sounds great with Krall singing beside him.
“Fever” f/Natalie Cole –Ray goes together with women like corn and potatoes.
“Sinner’s Prayer” f/B.B. King – Lord please have mercy on all of us. Two kings together—it doesn’t get any better than this.
“Over The Rainbow” f/Johnny Mathis – Ray outshines the brilliant Mathis—but what would you expect?
THE AVERAGE:
“Sweet Potato Pie” f/James Taylor – Better suited as a solo song than a duet.
“It Was A Very Good Year” f/Willie Nelson – Ray Charles proves he could have made a brilliant solo cover of this song. If only Willie Nelson sang and didn’t talk his way through the song.
“Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word” f/Elton John – This Elton John original sounds great with the inclusion of Ray Charles—could have done with out the bad synth guitar.
THE BAD:
With the exception of Willie Nelson vocals—nothing.
FRANKLY: It’s sad that we will never get any new material from Ray Charles. There has never been a song that didn’t love Ray Charles. Hopefully this will bring in new fans who will explore the genius that was Ray Charles.
+ Rae Gun
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