Ray Charles & The Count Basie Orchestra – Ray Sings, Basie Swings (2006)

The title of this set is slightly misleading: it isn't, as much as music fans may wish it, a collaboration between Ray Charles and Count Basie. Instead, the contents of this 2006 release contain recordings Ray Charles made in 1973, which were discovered in 2005, then overdubbed with backing by the Count Basie Orchestra (though sans the Count himself, who died in the early '80s). The results are highly enjoyable however, with “The Genius” revisiting early '60s hits like "Busted," "Cryin' Time," and "Georgia on My Mind," among others, and the swinging big-band arrangements fit beautifully. Highly recommended !!!

Please note that this is an older but good rip (without log), made with an older version of EAC, and coming from my archives on external hard disc.

Personnel:

Ray Charles - Piano & Vocal
The Count Basie Orchestra
Will Matthews - Guitar
Marshall McDonald - Flute, Alto Saxophone
Scotty Barnhart - Trumpet
Clarence Banks - Trombone
Tony Suggs - Piano
James Leary - Bass
Butch Miles - Drums
Patti Austin, Valerie Pinkston - Background Vocals

Tracklist:

01. Oh, What A Beautiful Morning
02. Let the Good Times Roll
03. How Long Has This Been Going On?
04. Every Saturday Night
05. Busted
06. Crying Time
07. I Can't Stop Loving You
08. Come Live with Me
09. Feel So Bad
10. The Long and Winding Road
11. Look What They've Done To My Song
12. Georgia On My Mind

Produced By Greg Field
Recorded At Conway Recorders, Capitol Studios & G Studio Digital. LA, CA, February - March 2006
Mastered By Doug Sax with Sangwook Nam At The Mastering Lab, Ojai, CA, June 2006

Sound Quality: 8/9