Ray Charles

he Ray Charles Singers were formed around Ray Charles and featured on Perry Como's records, radio shows and television shows for 35 years….

Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music is a studio album by American R&B and soul musician Ray Charles, released in April 1962 on ABC-Paramount Records. Recording sessions for the album took place in early to mid-February 1962 at Capitol Studios in New York City and at United Recording Studios in Hollywood, California.

Remastered and rereleased in limited edition to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Atlantic Records, AT NEWPORT features eight of legend Ray Charles's songs recorded at the Newport Jazz Festival. For his appearance at the Newport Jazz Festival on July 5, 1958, Charles pulled out all the stops, performing raucous versions of "The Right Time," "I Got a Woman," and "Talkin' 'Bout You." [This album was reissued in 1973 as a two-record set, packaged with Ray Charles in Person under the title Ray Charles Live (Atlantic SD 2-503).]

For the very first time, two dazzling superstars of Country & Jazz come together for special one-off performance. Filmed live at the Austin Opera House, Austin, Texas in 1985 for the Willie Nelson Special, this one off show captures the unique talents of Willie Nelson and Ray Charles as they respect and enjoy each others company on stage and the chemistry pays off with some stunning performances of some classic songs. Also featuring a special guest appearance from Jackie King on guitar.

This pairing of two totally idiosyncratic vocalists acquired legendary status over the decades in which it had been out of print. But the proof is in the listening, and frankly it doesn't represent either artist's best work. There is certainly a powerful, often sexy rapport between the two – Charles in his sweet balladeering mode, Carter with her uniquely keening, drifting high register – and they definitely create sparks in the justly famous rendition of "Baby, It's Cold Outside." The main problem is in Marty Paich's string/choir arrangements, which too often cross the line into treacle, whereas his charts for big band are far more listenable.

Ray Charles demonstrates once again how brilliant of a musician/artist that we was, while his music is and always will be in the hearts of all who love great music. Ray has incorporated Blues, Jazz, Gospel, Soul, and even country in a way that no other artist could even come close to. Its highly recommend.