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 ig-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."]
Another expanded edition of Brother Ray’s 1960 album of themed travel songs. Like most journeys, highs and lows abound.In an age where musicians labor for weeks over a single phrase -- eventually a tiny part of a multi-track recording -- it's astounding to consider that the original 12 tracks on this album were recorded in two long sessions over two days. And when the artist in question has to .
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Another expanded edition of Brother Ray’s 1960 album of themed travel songs. Like most journeys, highs and lows abound.In an age where musicians labor for weeks over a single phrase -- eventually a tiny part of a multi-track recording -- it's astounding to consider that the original 12 tracks on this album were recorded in two long sessions over two days. And when the artist in question has to .
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As J.J. Hunsecker says in "Sweet Smell of Success," "I love this dirty town."From "The Genius Hits The Road," Ray Charles' first album for ABC-Paramount after leaving Atlantic, and his travelogue concept album in the vein of Sinatra's "Come Fly With Me," comes this ode to NYC.
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 "The Genius Hits the Road")
