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Liner Notes
Ray Charles: Genius & Soul – The 50th Anniversary Collection
$69.98
FOREWORD
In 1959, when I was 12 years old, my parents were moving us into a new house in the San Fernando Valley. Every time we piled into that big ol' Chrysler, I would reach over the front seat and turn on the radio. Back then we'd listen to KFWB. Since they played a combination of pop, R&B, and rock 'n' roll, it was an acceptable compromise. On one very warm July afternoon a song came on that had each one of us staring at the radio in sheer amazement. The tune was "What'd I Say (Part 2)." What was going on in the middle of that song?" Ehh, Aah, Ooh, Ooh, Uhh, Aah, Ooh. Baby feel so good."
Over the top of the front seat I could see a pale pointed finger with bright red nail polish jam another button in a desperate attempt to rid the car of the lewd, salacious call and response. Aah, my first taste of the forbidden fruit from the rhythm & blues tree. That song was a rite of passage, introducing me to gospel, soul, and R&B. It also brought me to The Genius, The High Priest, Brother Ray Charles.
Now here I am nearly 40 years and virtually every Ray Charles album later reflecting on not just the wealth of music that this box affords the listener, but also on Ray's prolific and diverse recording career -- a career that's been in constant motion for close to 50 years. This collection contains over 100 tracks and traces the development of his career from his first chart hit, "Confession Blues," in 1949 to his 1993 classic version of Paul Simon's "Still Crazy After All These Years." In listening to the progression from the Atlantic recordings through the ABC-Paramount material, you are struck with the magnitude of Ray Charles and his music.
Rather than try to put Ray into perspective, I'll defer to those who wax more eloquently. Writer David Ritz has been able to condense over eight hours of interviews with Ray into an insightful and colorful portrait. And the other essays included should only bring this artist more to life -- all adding to the listening experience. We now have a glimpse into the man and his music for all time.
For those lucky enough to have met Ray Charles, it's an experience that you won't forget. His energy level alone could light up Harlem for a month! He's animated, passionate, loves to laugh, loves chess, loves women, and loves his music. Upon my first meeting with Ray, I brought him Rhino's Charlie Parker anthology. He clutched the double CD tightly as if he had a gold brick from Fort Knox. His response to my gift was "You know, you couldn't have brought me money and had it be better than this. Charlie Parker is my man, I love his dirty drawers."
Mr. C doesn't know it yet, but I've adopted him as my spiritual father. If I get an album or CD I can say, "Hey, Ray, check this out, dig that solo" and he will give me an insight into the song you couldn't find in books.
Ray Charles, knowing you is better than money. And by the way, I dig your dirty drawers.
-- James Austin
June 1997
