Ray Charles – The Genius Hits The Road (1960 - Comp. 1997 With Bonus Tracks)

Thank Rhino for reissuing this overlooked 1960 album. This was his first after he split from Atlantic for ABC/Paramount. People like to think that his ABC/Paramount period starts with MODERN SOUNDS, but you can see the "road" Ray's traveling with this album. Most of the orchestration is done with a lot of taste and not syrupy as might plague some later recordings. These cuts sound classic today and not dated, well, except for the silliness over Deep in the Heart of Texas.
Enjoy this album for more than Ray's signature tune of Georgia on my Mind, Ray's solo on Moon over Miami, for example. The bonus cuts complete the experience. This album will help bridge those who only know Ray from his Atlantic years into the rest of his career.

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 includes:

Ray Charles - Vocals, Piano
David "Fathead" Newman - Alto & Tenor Saxophones
Hank Crawford - Alto & Baritone Saxophones
Leroy Cooper, Emmet Dennis - Baritone Saxophone
Marcus Belgrave, John Hunt, Joe Bridgewater, Ricky Harper, Philip Guilbeau - Trumpet
Richard Nash, Harry Betts, Frank Rosolino, Ken Shroyer - Trombone
Edgar Willis, Roosevelt Sheffield - Bass
Milt Turner, William Peeples, Teagle Fleming, Mel Lewis - Drums
Bruno Carr – Percussion

Tracklist:

01. Alabamy Bound
02. Georgia on My Mind
03. Basin Street Blues
04. Mississippi Mud
05. Moonlight in Vermont
06. New York's My Home
07. California, Here I Come
08. Moon over Miami
09. Deep in the Heart of Texas
10. Carry Me Back to Old Virginny - Ray Charles, The Raelettes, Raeletts
11. Blue Hawaii
12. Chattanooga Choo Choo
13. Sentimental Journey (*)
14. Hit the Road Jack (*)
15. Blue Moon of Kentucky (Swingova (*)
16. Rainy Night in Georgia (*)
17. I'm Movin' On (*)
18. Swanee River Rock (Talkin' 'Bout That River (*)
19. Lonely Avenue (*)

(*) Bonus Tracks

Original Recordings Produced By Sid Feller, Ray Charles, Ahmed Ertegun & Jerry Wexler, And Tangerine Record Corp.

Sound Quality: 7/8