![]() The marriage of Raitt and Charles’ voices is probably among the best duets on the album. “Do I Cross Your Mind? ” a bluesy country tune, is fuelled by Bonnie Raitt’s shuffling blues guitar and perfectly worn voice. Keeping the gospel flavor of the original, Norah Jones nicely compliments Charles on this beautiful opening track. Kicking off the disc, Charles revisits “Here We Go Again” from Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music. The results, if sometimes spotty, nonetheless find Charles in good form, with a voice as compelling as it has ever been. King and Johnny Mathis, the songs covered include classics from the American songbook as well as favorites chosen by his collaborators. Teaming with a variety of singers including Norah Jones, James Taylor, Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, B.B. His final studio album - and first composed entirely of duets - still finds Charles continuing to challenge himself. Little then did Charles know how perfectly Genius Loves Company would summarize his career. His weathered, sincere voice was distinct, and whether it was the hard blues of his early career or the crafted pop of his later output, Charles’ singing was always immediately familiar. Most of all, Charles could plumb the depths of any song catalogue and still remain instantly recognizable. His interpretations of “I Can’t Stop Loving You” and “You Don’t Know Me” are perhaps even better known than their originals, but above all Charles proved that he could crossover to white audiences, and do so without compromising his style. Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music is a shining example of Charles’ ability to make any song his own. However, what made Ray Charles a legend was his ability to interpret songs. Blessed with a remarkable ability to blend genres, he did so with a virtuoso touch that arguably ranks him among America’s greatest songwriters. ![]() Touching blues, country, gospel, R&B, country and jazz, Ray Charles was above all a master songwriter. From the fiery R&B of “Nighttime Is the Right Time” to the traditional “Georgia On Mind” to the jump blues of tracks like “Hit the Road Jack” and “What’d I Say?”, Charles was influenced by a wide-reaching array of music, and refused to limit his talent. ![]() Genius Loves Company was the last album recorded and completed by Charles before his death in June 2004.When Ray Charles passed away on June 10th, he left behind a legacy of classic songs that crossed genres and defied boundaries. King, Gladys Knight, Diana Krall, Van Morrison, Willie Nelson, and Bonnie Raitt. The album consists of rhythm and blues, soul, country, blues, jazz, and pop standards performed by Charles and several guest musicians, such as Natalie Cole, Elton John, James Taylor, Norah Jones, B.B. Recording sessions for the album took place between June 2003 and March 2004. 'Genius Loves Company' is the final studio album by rhythm and blues and soul musician Ray Charles, posthumously released August 31, 2004. On February 13, 2005, the album was awarded eight Grammy Awards including Album of the Year and Record of the Year. It also became Charles' second to reach number one on the Billboard 200, after Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music (1962). On February 2, 2005, Genius Loves Company was certified triple-platinum in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America following sales of over three million copies in the United States. ![]() The album is known as one of Ray Charles' most commercially successful albums. Genius Loves Company was the last album recorded and completed by Charles before his death in June 2004 and is issued on Vinyl for the first time ![]() ![]()
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