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RAY CHARLES GENUIS HIT’S THE ROAD
Audio CD: June 10, 1997
;Label:Rhino
Original Release Date: 1960
Format: [email protected]
In keeping with his jazz/pop crossover ambitions, Ray Charles decided to record a concept album of sorts with a dozen songs devoted to various parts of the U.S. -- "Alabamy Bound," "Georgia on My Mind," "Moonlight in Vermont," "California, Here I Come," "Blue Hawaii," and more. The crossover vibe is further heightened by the brassy big-band arrangements, and material from the likes of Al Jolson and Hoagy Carmichael. It sounds a bit corny now, with an in-your-face gung-ho cheer. But it did what Charles wanted it to do, reaching the Top Ten of the album charts, and spinning off a big hit with "Georgia on My Mind." ]The 1997 CD reissue on Rhino adds seven bonus tracks from 1956-1972 that also had a travel/geographic theme, and the best of these are actually the highlights of the record, most notably "Hit the Road Jack," "Lonely Avenue," and his cover of Hank Snow's "I'm Movin' On."]
Genius is a word that gets bandied about with such careless overuse that it's all but lost its meaning. With Ray Charles the word is re-anointed with its true meaning.
Personnel includes: Ray Charles (vocals, piano); David "Fathead" Newman (alto & tenor saxophones); Hank Crawford (alto & baritone saxophones); Leroy Cooper, Emmet Dennis (baritone saxophone); Marcus Belgrave, John Hunt, Joe Bridgewater, Ricky Harper, Philip Guilbeau (trumpet); Richard Nash, Harry Betts, Frank Rosolino, Ken Shroyer (trombone); Edgar Willis, Roosevelt Sheffield (bass); Milt Turner, William Peeples, Teagle Fleming, Mel Lewis (drums); Bruno Carr (percussion).
Track List
1. Alabamy Bound
2. Georgia on My Mind.
3 Basin Street Blues
4. Mississippi Mud
5. Moonlight in Vermont
6. New York's My Home
7. California, Here I Come
8. Moon over Miami
9. Deep in the Heart of Texas
10. Carry Me Back to Old Virginny - Ray Charles, The Raelettes,
11. Blue Hawaii
12. Chattanooga Choo Choo
13. Sentimental Journey [*]
14. Hit the Road Jack [*]
15. Blue Moon of Kentucky (Swingova) [*]
16. Rainy Night in Georgia [*]
17. I'm Movin' On [*]
18. Swanee River Rock (Talkin' 'Bout That River) [*]
19. Lonely Avenue [*]
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