New Ray Charles anthology to hit shelves April 7

A new 21-track Ray Charles anthology is set for release April 7 via Concord Records.

The album, Ray Charles — Genius: The Ultimate Ray Charles Collection, includes such tracks as "Georgia on My Mind," "Hit the Road Jack" and "I Got a Woman." All the tracks on the album are digitally remastered from the original tapes, and the album includes new liner notes from jazz writer Don Heckman.

Heckman writes: "The first feeling that comes to mind after even a short glance at the titles included here is a sense of wonder. The diversity of the material is impressive in its own right — blues, of course, transformed gospel songs, country tunes, an American Songbook standard, a Beatles classic and a climactic American anthem. But more than that, it's what he does with all these variegated numbers. Good singers can do great interpretations. Great singers like Charles possess the material in a way that makes a song their own, while remaining true to the essence of each."

Look for the rest of 2009 to be big for Charles reissues. In addition to Genius, Concord will also release Modern Sounds in Country & Western Music, Volumes 1 & 2, The Genius Hits the Road, A Message to the People and Genius + Soul = Jazz & More.

Related links:
Feature: Listening To Old Voices: Remembering Ray
Ray Charles on imeem.com
YouTube: Ray Charles - "I Got a Woman"

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