Volcanic Action of My Soul

AMG Review of Volcanic Action of My Soul

Andrew Hamilton
All Music Guide

Only Ray Charles and a select few could make a dirty blues like "Feel So Bad" soulful against the backdrop of an orchestra and a lavish arrangement. But he does just that throughout this 1971 release that comes with a poem by Julian Bond, credited here as the Bishop of Atlanta. The larder of mostly remakes includes "Wichita Lineman," "Something," "The Long and Winding Road," and a bluesy "What Am I Living For." Charles works his magic; but after listening to his gritty vocals on these slick charts, you'll be longing for a previously unreleased Ray Charles in Muscle Shoals session (if there ever was one) to be uncovered in a vault.