Published on Mar 30, 2005
Would you believe there’s a music critic out there who knows
practically nothing about Ray Charles? Well, that was this critic,
at least until a few weeks ago. The movie
Ray captured my interest, and provoked me to purchase the
soundtrack. And giving it a few spins these past few days has made
me realize just exactly what I had been missing.
Seventeen original Ray Charles recordings are featured on this
disc, 17 songs that are imbedded into the fabric of 20th century
America. However, despite this, it was the first time I had
actually listened to any of them. From the get-go, I was barraged
with sounds and styles, the likes of which I thought no artist
could capture so well. There’s pop, R&B, gospel, country, jazz,
and Charles handles each of them with the same level of
quality.
While every single song — and that is not hyperbole — is a
classic, there are some that immediately stood out to this novice’s
ears. “Mess Around,” the lead-off track. features smoother vocals
than what I expected, with Charles’ normally gritty, soulful vocal
style altered slightly to more of a Nat King Cole approach. The
brassy “I’ve Got A Woman” superimposes rock lyrics over a gospel
sound, which led to a controversy over the tune. The smash “What
I’d Say” is four and a half minutes of bliss, beginning with the
brilliant opening keyboard riff, and closing with the sexually
charged back and forth between Charles and the Raelettes.
Oh, but there’s more. One of the few tracks I knew from previous
listening, “Hit The Road Jack,” delivers one of Charles’s most
effective performances, as he begs, pleads, and finally accepts his
fate of being told to “hit the road.” “Georgia On My Mind” was a
major surprise, a lush, orchestral, jazzy number, yet it tugs at
the heartstrings, and takes on a historical significance given the
fact Charles was banned from playing in the state for years after
defying segregation laws. In fact, this track makes a second
appearance on this soundtrack with a 1976 live version that is just
as sublime. Interesting also is the fact that there are moments
when Charles steps back and lets the spotlight shine on someone
else. “Hit The Road Jack,” and “(Night Time Is) the Right Time” are
prime examples, especially with the latter’s soulful exclamations
from the women backing the man himself.
Given the fact the film consisted almost solely of Charles’
music, I’m sure there are cuts that should have made this disc.
Well, there isn’t going to be much complaining coming from this
side. As an admitted “newbie” to the music of
Ray, quite simply I don’t know any better. That being said,
there was one particular song that piqued my curiosity, “I Believe
To My Soul.” In the movie, Charles records the harmonies to the
track in the style of his Raelettes, imitating their voices. It
sounded great in the movie, and I would have liked it to appear on
this CD. However, that is a very minor quibble.
I could go on and discuss every track on this album, but that
would be redundant. There are only so many possible synonyms for
“amazing” or “brilliant.” This isn’t so much a soundtrack as it is
page one to a book, a stepping-stone for bigger and better things.
Now is as good a time as any to get into Ray Charles’ music, so I
suggest you do so. Don’t make my mistake.