Ray Charles, post-SNL recognition but pre-GOP -- 1977 to be exact -- partnered with M.O.R. arrangers Larry Muhoberac (Neil Diamond, Glen Campbell, Tanya Tucker, and Silverchair) and Sid Feller (Paul Anka, The Osmonds, Eddie Fisher) and interpreting lounge and fern-bar staples such as "Let It Be" and "I Can See Clearly Now"... you'd be excused for thinking I've chosen a strange (to be polite) way to pay tribute to one of the most important figures in American popular music.
But drop the needle on Charles' reading here of "Oh, What A Beautiful Morning" and let Side A roll on from there through "How Long Has This Been Going On?" These two performances, amounting to a rather momentous 10 minutes of music, may be some of most powerful Charles vocals ever committed to record. And if that statement isn't enough to convince you that you need to hear this record, I don't know what else I can say. As the musician himself said just months ago:
"I guess I'm kind of a strange animal. What works for me is songs that I can put myself into. It has nothing to do with the song. Maybe it's a great song. But there's got to be something in that song for me."
R.I.P., Brother Ray. The peace is well-deserved.
Hello Joe.
I have this album on vinyl,and agree with you full time.
I have tried to buy on cd but it seems it can't be done.
If anyone can help i'd be grateful.
Regards
Tony
Posted by: Tony at July 19, 2004 11:14 AMany where the album can be found?
Posted by: linda at August 23, 2004 10:04 AMTony, Linda -- I'm afraid it is still vinyl-only. It looks like "How Long Has This Been Going On?" has been anthologized on the GENIUS AND SOUL box set, but that's it as far as CD goes...
Posted by: Joe Milazzo at August 23, 2004 11:35 AMWhere can I buy this?
Posted by: Kevin Fisher at April 23, 2005 8:12 PM"Oh What a Beautiful Morning" appears on a 1998 Rhino release simply called Ray Charles Standards. Should be pretty easy to find.
I live, sleep, eat, breathe, and teach music and yet Ray's recording of OWABM is still in the top 5 most inspiring performances of music I've encountered. In fairness, the arranging and production are absolutely brilliant also.
Posted by: Fred at July 30, 2005 12:47 PMMan , Has anyone yet Found this most Fanstastic recording on CD,For the Time it was made Its is Truely a Great one. any help will be most grateful
Posted by: Rosco at September 14, 2005 11:06 AMThis is a F.A.B. album and "Game Number Nine" is one of my all time faves of Ray.
For all those looking for the CD I am afraid I haven't been able to find it and in the end just got the vinyl put onto a CD .I had to do the same with Alphonse Mouzon's "Essence of Mystery" and "Man Incognito" ...... two of my top ten albums of all time.Best of luck.
I agree totally - this album is my all-time Ray Charles's favorite since the 1st time I listened to it in 1997 or so. Every track is a wham! Not on CD yet - I've been looking since CD was invented.
Posted by: Foster Ugbana at February 28, 2006 7:14 AMNetsounds(1) have several copies, with prices ranging from cheap to ludicrous.
(1) http://www.netsoundsmusic.com
... LP, not CD, that is.
Posted by: Andrew Cox at February 28, 2006 10:07 AM"Little Green Apples" is one of my favorite songs. Anyone have other favorite versions of it (used to be a great and popular song to cover)?
Posted by: unwrinkled at February 28, 2006 10:38 AMI have the album and am looking to get it on cd. can't seem to find the cd anywhere..
Simon ,
Because I love the album I got four CD copies of the LP made ...........do you want one.....e-mail me.
Posted by: eric leiper at October 7, 2006 3:04 PMdear eric leiper
please send me a copy. that song game number 9 is my absolute favourite used to have the record when i was about 15 havent heard the song since.
thank you so much
Posted by: jane de croos at May 16, 2007 6:22 AMHi Eric Leiper,
Please give me a way to get in touch with you to get a copy of that cd. Thank you!
Posted by: kyoko at October 16, 2007 12:58 AMSorry ,been some time since I looked.
I took some copies of the CD .
Contact me at ejl@dacres.co.uk
Posted by: eric leiper at October 26, 2007 5:36 AMI agree with all the positive comments posted here, (in fact, I can't see any negative ones!)
Bought this on vinyl when it first came out, and I think it's an absolutely stunning album. Vocally, Ray is spot on (as always), and the musical arrangements ranging from the funky to out-and-out good-time big band are breathtaking.
Like everyone else, would love to have this on CD.
I'll be first in the queue when it finally appears.....
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