Track Listing

1. ALL I WANT TO DO � with Angie Stone
2. YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE � with Chris Isaak
3. IT ALL GOES BY SO FAST � with Mary J. Blige
4. YOU WERE THERE � with Gladys Knight
5. IMAGINE � with Ruben Studdard & The Harlem Gospel Singers
6. COMPARED TO WHAT � with Leela James
7. BIG BAD LOVE � with Diana Ross
8. I WILL BE THERE � with Idina Menzel
9. BLAME IT ON THE SUN � with George Michael
10. TOUCH � with John Legend
11. SHOUT � with Patti LaBelle & The Andrae Crouch Singers
12. SURRENDER TO LOVE � with Laura Pausini
13. BUSTED (Live) � with Willie Nelson
14. AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL � with Alicia Keys

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #43596 in Music
• Released on: 2005-09-20
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .18 pounds

Album Description
Before the legendary Ray Charles passed away last year, he laid out plans to use a set of recordings produced in 1998 to create an album of superstar duets with some of his favorite contemporary artists. It was among his last requests to his management that the project be completed and released. Now the Genius must be smiling up above as this stunning collection, finding him in tremendously strong voice on a lineup of memorable songs, is released on Rhino. Produced in conjunction with Ray Charles Enterprises and Ray's fellow music legends Ahmet Ertegun and Phil Ramone, Genius & Friends follows on the heels of the phenomenally popular Genius Loves Company, and it shines throughout as Charles and an all-star roster of vocal partners serenade in sublime harmony.

Amazon.com
It doesn't take a lot of marquee names to sell a Ray Charles record, but the Genius proved long before 2004's Genius Loves Company that he was a master collaborator as well as a very natural one. On Genius & Friends, Rhino Records smartly capitalizes on Charles's gift for investing any duet with both backbone and bluesy, velvety soul by rounding up recordings he made in 1997 and 1998 and swelling them with the sounds of artists he inspired. The result is both brilliant and frustrating: brilliant because artists like Mary J. Blige, Gladys Knight, and Patti LaBelle so reliably tread their tracks with care and affection, reining in all that raw vocal power where a song requires it; and frustrating because it would have been incredible to hear each of the very different artists gathered here trading verses with Brother Ray in real time--producer Phil Ramone fused these songs together. (In two cases, we do get the pleasure: "Big Bad Love", recorded in 1994 with Diana Ross for the film The Favor, and "Busted," recorded live in 1991 with Willie Nelson.) To the producers' credit (add Ahmet Ertegun and Quincy Jones to Ramone) the audio wizardry required to make this disc does not once interfere with the sense it conveys that the chosen artists really were Ray Charles's friends. Hear it especially on the Idina Menzel heartwarmer "I Will Be There" and Blige's "It All Goes By So Fast," as silkily convincing as it is bittersweet. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews

The Genius Syndrome
There are sometimes when a duets album can be over the top, and there are other times that a duets album doesn't have what it really had before. That has arguably been the cases with Ray Charles. His previous Genius Loves Company album, was definitely one of the most breathtaking, well-received albums I've ever heard within the last few years. Arguably, when Warner Brothers and Rhino heard about the success of that great pop gem, they decided to make a Charles duets lbum of their own from Ray's older recordings. But does it really deliver what Genius Loves Company was as a sequel?

Ray Charles Genius & Friends, is a compilation of Ray's left over recordings from his life that weren't conjured or released before. The songs here however, don't really seem to have what Genius Loves Company did which is a dissapointment, considering some of the artists came out after Ray's passing like John Legend with Touch and Leela James with Compared To What. Still, there are some brightsides, and well-conjured duets like You Were There with Gladys Knight, Busted with Willie Nelson, and You Are My Sunshine with Chris Isaak. The songs here were mastered well, but the duets don't seem to have the feeling that this is another well-recognized masterpiece.

All in all, Genius & Friends by Ray Charles isn't at all a good buy for anybody who isn't familiar with his music, or even for die hard Ray Charles fans. The feeling on this albumisn't as good as Genius Loves Company was. I honestly suggest you buy that record instead over this one. This duets album shows that the genius isn't what it is cracked up to be.

Album Cover: B

Songs: C 1/2+

Price: C

Remastering & Mastering: B-

Overall: C

Feel alot of Energy, Emotion and Soul from the Genius
This is worth the Price as I mention since I purchase this. Why people say this isn't original or it's not showing Ray Charles more approval? C'mon now. This is not a bad CD or somewhat too overrated or too way outta hand. I mean this is what Ray leftover from 1997-1998 (2 Years back, somewhat like a Yearbook you get @ school, college or high school).

I love everything that Ray Charles does from the Heart. He'll always be remembered. He help put the Industry on top with his tenderly, most-touchable, strongful, and outrageous gift. This Man is a Blessing to the World of Music. Sorry Maxx (or Bro. Max), you seem to be missing some acceptions.

Thank God for Brother Ray.

Back to the Album.

It's full of collabos of some of the most talented people out there on this Disc which was produced by no other than Phil Ramone also noted producers who are additional. Angie Stone, Mary J. Blige, John Legend, Patti Labelle, Diana Ross, Gladys Kinght, Alicia Keys, Willie Nelson, Leela James, George Michael, the list goes on. Bad arrangements, nice work, cool vocals, really touchy, feelin' the air with fire like cookin' Gumbo.

Again this is worth the Price. Don't be too shy or too distasteful. Lemme see if u wanna a touch or taste of some Ray Charles. The last album whom was released posthumously after his death (which went home for 10 Grammys each) was my favorite to top from the Genius. As Frank Sinatra noted on RC, "The only Genius in the business".

They actually didn't note the name of the musicians who play on there. Well overall Good Work and Much Love in Heaven from Ray. We miss you Ray Charles. You're long remembered and unforgotten!
Checkout the Luther tributes i.e. "Forever, For Always, For Luther" and "So Amazing: A Salute Tribute to Luther Vandross" if you Must.

Not quite there
I was a little disapointed in the material selected for this compilation. The singers that joined him are no doubt great, but I just found this album to be lacking in emotion and R&B. If you want a great CD with Ray Charles along with others go right for Ray Charles in "Genius Loves Company." It will satisfy!!!