The Band:
Ray Charles –
Vocals, Piano; Marcus Belgrave – Trumpet; John Hunt – Trumpet; Joe Bridgewater
– Trumpet; Ricky Harper – Trumpet; Philip Guilbeau – Trumpet; Richard Nash
– Trombone; Harry Betts – Trombone; Frank Rosolino – Trombone; Ken Shroyer
– Trombone; Hank Crawford – Saxophone; David Newman – Saxophone; Leroy
Cooper – Saxophone; Emmet Dennis – Saxophone; Edgar Willis – Bass;
Roosevelt Sheffield – Bass; Milt Turner – Drums; William Peeples – Drums;
Teagle Fleming – Drums; Mel Lewis – Drums; Bruno Carr – Percussion; The
Cookies – Vocals; The Raeletts – Vocals; The Jack Halloran Singers –
Vocals.
“Discovery of
the genius of Ray Charles gives the same effect as winning the daily double, making a hole
in one, or scoring a touchdown. His
performance creates a feeling of exhilaration and warmth and a deeply personal
identification with a true artist. His honest
singing, with complete immodesty and abandon, makes a familiar standard song and entirely
new experience. Ray gives himself
wholeheartedly to a song, and his ability to express himself musically is a quality envied
by persons with less creative talents” – Rick Ward,
Original Liner Notes
What can you say about
Ray Charles that hasn’t already been said? His
talent is known worldwide and is recognized as one of the best musicians in the history of
music.
It’s nice when you
are able to combine such an accomplished, innovative singer with a dance as fun and
equally innovative as The Lindy Hop! There
are several tracks on this disc that do just that. Mississippi
Mud and Chattanooga Choo Choo are two of those songs. Both have a nice big band sound that I don’t
necessarily equate with Ray Charles’ music. He
also swings on a couple of bluesy numbers like Hit the Road Jack and a funky Swanee
River Rock. Charles also swings slow with
Basin Street Blues and California, Here I Come, both songs under 100 beats
per minute.
There are 19 tracks on
this CD and I’ve highlighted the ones I find danceable. However, that doesn’t mean the rest of the CD
is bad. Hey, it’s Ray Charles! You get a real good mix of the best Ray Charles
has to offer. Even if you aren’t going
to Lindy Hop to these songs, you will enjoy them nonetheless. Especially the waltz, Blue Hawaii.
I would say if you are
looking for a CD chock full of danceable swing tunes, you’ll want to pass on this
one. However, if you are looking for a few
good, fun swing tunes along with some fantastic songs by a musical genius, this is one
you’ll want in your library.
Bottom Line: To buy or not to buy….. Buy! Here’s how: