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Genius Loves Company is the last studio album Ray Charles completed before his death in June 2004. Prior to this, the last studio album he released was Strong Love Affair in 1996, which was a stab at modern pop, filled with new songs and given an adult contemporary sheen. It was not one of his most distinctive efforts, even when judged against his latter-day albums, and it disappeared not long after its release. Charles left Warner and, years later, signed with Concord, who released Genius Loves Company, which had a decidedly different approach than the all-modern Strong Love Affair. As the title acknowledges with a wink, this is a duets album, which may be a little commonplace as far as latter-day superstar albums go but is still a step up from his previous studio album since it puts Ray Charles in a comfortable, relaxed situation that plays to his strengths. Instead of trying to put Charles in a modern setting, producers John Burk and Phil Ramone (Burk helmed seven of the album's tracks, Ramone is responsible for the other five, and their work fits together seamlessly) go for a clean retro setting with a few guitars, synths, and a rhythm section, occasionally dressing it with an orchestra or some strings. In other words, apart from the glistening production, it's not far removed from any of Charles' crossover records from the '60s, and he's also given a strong set of songs, largely familiar pop classics, from "Fever" and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" to "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" and "Crazy Love." His duet partners are fairly predictable -- classy newcomers like Norah Jones and Diana Krall, but also old stalwarts like Elton John, B.B. King, Johnny Mathis, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, and the ubiquitous Willie Nelson (who has never sounded older than he does here on "It Was a Very Good Year") -- but they're also reliable, never overshadowing Ray yet never shrinking in his shadow either; in short, it sounds more like a real duets album than most superstar duet records. The end result is modest, friendly, laid-back, and pleasing, one that remains faithful to Charles' music while sounding relatively fresh. It may not be weighty enough to be a career-capping masterpiece, but it's sweet enough to be an appropriate final album -- which is far more than can be said of Strong Love Affair, or any of the other albums he cut in the '80s or '90s for that matter.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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Ray Charles, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Billy Preston, AssociatedPerformer - Norah Jones, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Don Lanier, Composer - Russell Steagall, Composer - Mark Fleming, StudioPersonnel - Tom Fowler, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Brinker, AssociatedPerformer - John Burk, Producer - David Blumberg, Arranger - Seth Presant, StudioPersonnel - Terry Howard, StudioPersonnel - Irv Kramer, AssociatedPerformer - Ken Desantis, StudioPersonnel - Bill Kaylor, StudioPersonnel - Ken Gruberman, AssociatedPerformer
2021 Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation 2021 Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation
Charlie Davis, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Charles, MainArtist - JAMES TAYLOR, Composer, MainArtist - RANDY WALDMAN, Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Landau, AssociatedPerformer - David Boruff, AssociatedPerformer - Bruce Fowler, AssociatedPerformer - Bob McChesney, AssociatedPerformer - Brandon Fields, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Fleming, StudioPersonnel - Walt Fowler, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Fowler, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Shepard, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Brinker, AssociatedPerformer - Herbert Waltl, Producer - John Burk, Producer - Brian Benison, AssociatedPerformer - Seth Presant, StudioPersonnel - Terry Howard, Producer, StudioPersonnel - Irv Kramer, AssociatedPerformer - Ken Desantis, StudioPersonnel - Bill Kaylor, StudioPersonnel
2021 Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation 2021 Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation
Phil Ramone, Producer - Ray Charles, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - RANDY WALDMAN, Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Julie Rogers, AssociatedPerformer - Al Schmitt, StudioPersonnel - Ed Thacker, StudioPersonnel - Andrew Picken, AssociatedPerformer - Songa Lee-Kitto, AssociatedPerformer - Daphne Chen, AssociatedPerformer - Berj Garabedian, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Genewick, StudioPersonnel - George Doering, AssociatedPerformer - Cindy Walker, Composer - Diana Krall, MainArtist - Eddy Arnold, Composer - Trevor Handy, AssociatedPerformer - Shawn Mann, AssociatedPerformer - John Krovoza, AssociatedPerformer - David Stenske, AssociatedPerformer - Margaret Wooten, AssociatedPerformer - David Walther, AssociatedPerformer - Timothy Landauer, AssociatedPerformer - Stephanie Fife, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Fellus, StudioPersonnel - Ron Clark, AssociatedPerformer - Irina Voloshina, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Fowler, AssociatedPerformer - Ronald Folsom, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Brinker, AssociatedPerformer - Suzanna Giordano, AssociatedPerformer - Kirstin Fife, AssociatedPerformer - Jennifer Walton, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Tischer, AssociatedPerformer - Johana Krejci, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Soldo, AssociatedPerformer - David Blumberg, Arranger - Jennifer Munday, AssociatedPerformer - North Wood, AssociatedPerformer - Dynell Weber, AssociatedPerformer - Raymond Kobler, AssociatedPerformer - Seth Presant, StudioPersonnel - Irv Kramer, AssociatedPerformer - Ken Desantis, StudioPersonnel - Bill Kaylor, StudioPersonnel - Miguel Ferguson, AssociatedPerformer - Assa Droi, AssociatedPerformer - Ken Gruberman, AssociatedPerformer
2021 Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation 2021 Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation
Phil Ramone, Producer - Alan Pasqua, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Thompson, AssociatedPerformer - Joel Moss, StudioPersonnel - Steve Richards, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Charles, MainArtist - John Robinson, AssociatedPerformer - Bernie Taupin, Composer - Elton John, Composer, MainArtist - Jamie Sickora, StudioPersonnel - Gerry Hilera, AssociatedPerformer - Rudolph Stein, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Peterson, AssociatedPerformer - Dennis Molchan, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Formicola, AssociatedPerformer - Maria Newman, AssociatedPerformer - Igor Pandurski, AssociatedPerformer - Yao Zhao, AssociatedPerformer - John Acosta, AssociatedPerformer - Kathleen Robertson, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Deutsch, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Mcguire, AssociatedPerformer - Carolyn Riley, AssociatedPerformer - David Vanacore, AssociatedPerformer - Victor Vanacore, Arranger - Alan Ellsworth, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Vaccaro, AssociatedPerformer - Zheng Wang, AssociatedPerformer - Seth Presant, StudioPersonnel - Edmund Stein, AssociatedPerformer - Nick Grant, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Manaster, AssociatedPerformer - Ed Persi, AssociatedPerformer - Alicia Engley, AssociatedPerformer - Todor Pelev, AssociatedPerformer - Reginald Clews, AssociatedPerformer - Sai Ly Acosta, AssociatedPerformer - Xiao Niu He, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Gretlin, StudioPersonnel - Amy Wickman-Guerra, AssociatedPerformer - Happenstance Limited (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Rouge Booze, Inc (ASCAP), MusicPublisher
2021 Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation 2021 Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation
Phil Ramone, Producer - Steve Richards, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Charles, MainArtist - Don Mizell, Producer - Natalie Cole, MainArtist - RANDY WALDMAN, Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Ed Thacker, StudioPersonnel - Gerry Hilera, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Felluss, StudioPersonnel - George Doering, AssociatedPerformer - Pete Karam, StudioPersonnel - Eddie Cooley, Composer - John Davenport, Composer - Rudolph Stein, AssociatedPerformer - Dennis Molchan, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Formicola, AssociatedPerformer - Maria Newman, AssociatedPerformer - Igor Pandurski, AssociatedPerformer - Yao Zhao, AssociatedPerformer - John Acosta, AssociatedPerformer - Kathleen Robertson, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Fowler, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Brinker, AssociatedPerformer - Carolyn Riley, AssociatedPerformer - Trio Music Co (BMI), MusicPublisher - Brian Benison, AssociatedPerformer - Alan Ellsworth, AssociatedPerformer - Zheng Wang, AssociatedPerformer - Seth Presant, StudioPersonnel - Edmund Stein, AssociatedPerformer - Terry Howard, StudioPersonnel - Nick Grant, AssociatedPerformer - Irv Kramer, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Manaster, AssociatedPerformer - Ed Persi, AssociatedPerformer - Alicia Engley, AssociatedPerformer - Todor Pelev, AssociatedPerformer - Reginald Clews, AssociatedPerformer - Sai Ly Acosta, AssociatedPerformer - Ken Desantis, StudioPersonnel - Bill Kaylor, StudioPersonnel - Ft. Knox Music (BMI), MusicPublisher - Xiao Niu He, AssociatedPerformer - Amy Wickman-Guerra, AssociatedPerformer
2021 Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation 2021 Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation
Phil Ramone, Producer - Michael Smotherman, Composer - Billy Burnette, Composer - Ray Charles, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - BONNIE RAITT, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - RANDY WALDMAN, Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Ed Thacker, StudioPersonnel - Andrew Felluss, StudioPersonnel - Tom Fowler, AssociatedPerformer - George Marinelli, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Brinker, AssociatedPerformer - Brian Benison, AssociatedPerformer - Seth Presant, StudioPersonnel - Ken Desantis, StudioPersonnel - Bill Kaylor, StudioPersonnel - R2M Pubishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - BMG Rights Management (US) LLC/ BMG Monarch/ Dorsey Music (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - BMG Rights Management (US) LLC/H&R Lastrada Music (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Sony ATV Tunes LLC fka EMI Jemaxal Music (ASCAP), MusicPublisher
2021 Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation 2021 Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation
Tim Christensen, AssociatedPerformer - Joseph Stone, AssociatedPerformer - Suzie Katayama, AssociatedPerformer - Armen Garabedian, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Richards, AssociatedPerformer - Joel Derouin, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Charles, MainArtist - RANDY WALDMAN, AssociatedPerformer - Willie Nelson, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - John Mitchell, AssociatedPerformer - Ervin Drake, Composer - Gerry Hilera, AssociatedPerformer - Greg Huckins, AssociatedPerformer - Michelle Richards, AssociatedPerformer - Alwyn Wright, AssociatedPerformer - David Stenske, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Meyer, AssociatedPerformer - Kurt Snyder, AssociatedPerformer - Martha Lippi, AssociatedPerformer - Rudolph Stein, AssociatedPerformer - Armen Ksajikian, AssociatedPerformer - Karl Vincent, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Peterson, Conductor - Richard Todd, AssociatedPerformer - Scott Higgins, AssociatedPerformer - Dennis Molchan, AssociatedPerformer - Stephen Kujala, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Matsuda, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Formicola, AssociatedPerformer - Kenneth Yerke, AssociatedPerformer - Maria Newman, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Fleming, StudioPersonnel - Nancy Roth, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Berg, AssociatedPerformer - Igor Pandurski, AssociatedPerformer - Tricia Lee, AssociatedPerformer - Yao Zhao, AssociatedPerformer - John Acosta, AssociatedPerformer - Leanne Becknell, AssociatedPerformer - Don Markese, AssociatedPerformer - Charles Everett, AssociatedPerformer - Kathleen Robertson, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Fernandez, StudioPersonnel - Mike Markman, AssociatedPerformer - Kenneth Wild, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Fowler, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Stone, AssociatedPerformer - Trey Henry, AssociatedPerformer - Franklyn D'Antonio, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Brinker, AssociatedPerformer - Herbert Waltl, Producer - Joe Mcguire, AssociatedPerformer - David Kilbride, AssociatedPerformer - Carolyn Riley, AssociatedPerformer - John Burk, Producer - Shanti Randall, AssociatedPerformer - Horia Moroaica, AssociatedPerformer - Raymond Tischer, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Shaw, AssociatedPerformer - David Vanacore, AssociatedPerformer - Victor Vanacore, Arranger - Alan Ellsworth, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Vaccaro, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Riddles, AssociatedPerformer - Zheng Wang, AssociatedPerformer - Lindabet Music, Inc. (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Seth Presant, StudioPersonnel - Edmund Stein, AssociatedPerformer - Terry Howard, Producer - Briana Bandy, AssociatedPerformer - Charles Boito, AssociatedPerformer - Berg Garabedian, AssociatedPerformer - Irv Kramer, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Manaster, AssociatedPerformer - Ed Persi, AssociatedPerformer - Todor Pelev, AssociatedPerformer - Eleanore Choate, AssociatedPerformer - Reginald Clews, AssociatedPerformer - Kevan Toreh, AssociatedPerformer - John Acevedo, AssociatedPerformer - Yaroslav Kettner, AssociatedPerformer - Patricia Skye, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Converse, AssociatedPerformer - Wallace Snow, AssociatedPerformer - Xiao Niu He, AssociatedPerformer - Gregg Dennen, StudioPersonnel - Anatoli Rosinsky, AssociatedPerformer - Vladmir Polimatidi, AssociatedPerformer - Leslie Brown Katz, AssociatedPerformer
2021 Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation 2021 Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation
Gerald Goffin, Composer - Joseph Stone, AssociatedPerformer - Larry Corbett, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Richards, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Charles, MainArtist - Carole King, Composer - MICHAEL MCDONALD, MainArtist - RANDY WALDMAN, AssociatedPerformer - John Mitchell, AssociatedPerformer - Suzette Moriarty, AssociatedPerformer - Larry Hall, AssociatedPerformer - Rick Baptist, AssociatedPerformer - Gerry Hilera, AssociatedPerformer - Wayne Bergeron, AssociatedPerformer - Greg Huckins, AssociatedPerformer - Michelle Richards, AssociatedPerformer - David Stenske, AssociatedPerformer - Kurt Snyder, AssociatedPerformer - Rudolph Stein, AssociatedPerformer - Vladimir Polimatidi, AssociatedPerformer - Armen Ksajikian, AssociatedPerformer - Karl Vincent, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Peterson, Conductor - Scott Higgins, AssociatedPerformer - Dennis Molchan, AssociatedPerformer - Stephen Kujala, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Matsuda, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Formicola, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Martin, AssociatedPerformer - Kenneth Yerke, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Fleming, StudioPersonnel - Robert Berg, AssociatedPerformer - Yao Zhao, AssociatedPerformer - John Acosta, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Sanders, AssociatedPerformer - Leanne Becknell, AssociatedPerformer - Don Markese, AssociatedPerformer - Charles Everett, AssociatedPerformer - Kathleen Robertson, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Fernandez, StudioPersonnel - Kenneth Wild, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Fowler, AssociatedPerformer - Dennis Farias, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Stone, AssociatedPerformer - Trey Henry, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Brinker, AssociatedPerformer - Herbert Waltl, Producer - Joe Mcguire, AssociatedPerformer - Charlie Morillas, AssociatedPerformer - David Kilbride, AssociatedPerformer - John Burk, Producer - Raymond Tischer, AssociatedPerformer - David Vanacore, AssociatedPerformer - David Riddles, AssociatedPerformer - Victor Vanacore, Arranger - Alan Ellsworth, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Vaccaro, AssociatedPerformer - Phil Yao, AssociatedPerformer - Zheng Wang, AssociatedPerformer - SCREEN GEMS-EMI MUSIC (BMI), MusicPublisher - Seth Presant, StudioPersonnel - Edmund Stein, AssociatedPerformer - Terry Howard, Producer - Briana Bandy, AssociatedPerformer - Charles Boito, AssociatedPerformer - Edith Markman, AssociatedPerformer - Irv Kramer, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Manaster, AssociatedPerformer - Ed Persi, AssociatedPerformer - Todor Pelev, AssociatedPerformer - Eleanore Choate, AssociatedPerformer - Reginald Clews, AssociatedPerformer - John Acevedo, AssociatedPerformer - Yaroslav Kettner, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Converse, AssociatedPerformer - Wallace Snow, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Isles, AssociatedPerformer - Kenneth Scharf, AssociatedPerformer - Xiao Niu He, AssociatedPerformer - Gregg Dennen, StudioPersonnel - Anatoli Rosinsky, AssociatedPerformer - Michael McDondald, AssociatedPerformer
2021 Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation 2021 Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation
Jim Keltner, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Charles, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - B.B. King, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Lowell Fulson, Composer - Billy Preston, AssociatedPerformer - Darrell Thorp, StudioPersonnel - Lloyd C. Glenn, Composer - Tom Fowler, AssociatedPerformer - John Burk, Producer - Seth Presant, StudioPersonnel - Terry Howard, StudioPersonnel - Irv Kramer, AssociatedPerformer - Unichappell Music, Inc (BMI), MusicPublisher
2021 Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation 2021 Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation
Darryl Phinnessee, Choir - Clarence McDonald, Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Charles, MainArtist - John West, Choir - Danny Jacob, AssociatedPerformer - Charles Fearing, AssociatedPerformer - JAMES GADSON, AssociatedPerformer - RANDY WALDMAN, Arranger - Gladys Knight, MainArtist - Billy Preston, AssociatedPerformer - Rosemary Butler, Choir - Al Schmitt, StudioPersonnel - Loren Turner, Choir - Wayne Bergeron, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Genewick, StudioPersonnel - Gary Grant, AssociatedPerformer - James Gilstrap, Choir - James Burney, Choir - Terry Woods, Choir - Bob McChesney, AssociatedPerformer - Brandon Fields, AssociatedPerformer - Kevin Dorsey, Choir - Dave Boruff, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Saviano, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Deutsch, AssociatedPerformer - John Burk, Producer - David Blumberg, Arranger - Jobete Music Co. Inc. (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Sheven Morris, Choir - Seth Presant, StudioPersonnel - Terry Howard, StudioPersonnel - Chavonne Morris, Choir - Abraham Laboriel, Sr., AssociatedPerformer - Clydene Jackson Edwards, Choir - Ken Desantis, StudioPersonnel - Bill Kaylor, StudioPersonnel - Fred Martin and The Levite Camp, Choir - Ken Gruberman, AssociatedPerformer - Lee Reisch, StudioPersonnel - De'Ante Duckett, Choir - Irene Madison, Choir - Althea Mills, Choir - Aminah Ofumbi, Choir - Clarissa Watkins, Choir - Janey Clewer Gaitsch, Choir
2021 Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation 2021 Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation
Joseph Stone, AssociatedPerformer - Larry Corbett, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Richards, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Charles, MainArtist - Harold Arlen, Composer - RANDY WALDMAN, AssociatedPerformer - John Mitchell, AssociatedPerformer - Suzette Moriarty, AssociatedPerformer - Larry Hall, AssociatedPerformer - E.Y. HARBURG, Composer - Rick Baptist, AssociatedPerformer - Gerry Hilera, AssociatedPerformer - Wayne Bergeron, AssociatedPerformer - Greg Huckins, AssociatedPerformer - Michelle Richards, AssociatedPerformer - Johnny Mathis, MainArtist - David Stenske, AssociatedPerformer - Kurt Snyder, AssociatedPerformer - Rudolph Stein, AssociatedPerformer - Vladimir Polimatidi, AssociatedPerformer - Armen Ksajikian, AssociatedPerformer - Karl Vincent, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Peterson, Conductor - Scott Higgins, AssociatedPerformer - Dennis Molchan, AssociatedPerformer - Stephen Kujala, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Matsuda, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Formicola, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Martin, AssociatedPerformer - Kenneth Yerke, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Berg, AssociatedPerformer - Yao Zhao, AssociatedPerformer - John Acosta, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Sanders, AssociatedPerformer - Leanne Becknell, AssociatedPerformer - Don Markese, AssociatedPerformer - Charles Everett, AssociatedPerformer - Kathleen Robertson, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Fernandez, StudioPersonnel - Kenneth Wild, AssociatedPerformer - Dennis Farias, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Stone, AssociatedPerformer - Trey Henry, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Brinker, AssociatedPerformer - Herbert Waltl, Producer - Joe Mcguire, AssociatedPerformer - Charlie Morillas, AssociatedPerformer - David Kilbride, AssociatedPerformer - John Burk, Producer - Raymond Tischer, AssociatedPerformer - David Vanacore, AssociatedPerformer - Victor Vanacore, Arranger - Alan Ellsworth, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Vaccaro, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Riddles, AssociatedPerformer - EMI Feist Catalog, Inc. (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Phil Yao, AssociatedPerformer - Zheng Wang, AssociatedPerformer - Seth Presant, StudioPersonnel - Edmund Stein, AssociatedPerformer - Terry Howard, Producer - Briana Bandy, AssociatedPerformer - Charles Boito, AssociatedPerformer - Edith Markman, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Manaster, AssociatedPerformer - Ed Persi, AssociatedPerformer - Todor Pelev, AssociatedPerformer - Eleanore Choate, AssociatedPerformer - Reginald Clews, AssociatedPerformer - Ken Desantis, StudioPersonnel - Bill Kaylor, StudioPersonnel - John Acevedo, AssociatedPerformer - Yaroslav Kettner, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Converse, AssociatedPerformer - Wallace Snow, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Isles, AssociatedPerformer - Xiao Niu He, AssociatedPerformer - Gregg Dennen, StudioPersonnel - Anatoli Rosinsky, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Flemming, StudioPersonnel
2021 Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation 2021 Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation
Phil Ramone, Producer - Tony Kadleck, AssociatedPerformer - Jeff Mironov, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Charles, MainArtist - VAN MORRISON, MainArtist - Bashiri Johnson, AssociatedPerformer - John Harris, StudioPersonnel - ROB MATHES, Conductor - Hardi Kamsani, StudioPersonnel - Joel Singer, StudioPersonnel - Shawn Pelton, AssociatedPerformer - Jill Dell'Abate, AssociatedPerformer - David Hayes, AssociatedPerformer - Jeff Kievit, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Winning, AssociatedPerformer - Charles Pillow, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Beardon, AssociatedPerformer - Casey Phariss, StudioPersonnel - Matthew Holland, AssociatedPerformer - Caledonia Productions Inc./WB Music Corp (ASCAP), MusicPublisher
2021 Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation 2021 Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation
Album review
Genius Loves Company is the last studio album Ray Charles completed before his death in June 2004. Prior to this, the last studio album he released was Strong Love Affair in 1996, which was a stab at modern pop, filled with new songs and given an adult contemporary sheen. It was not one of his most distinctive efforts, even when judged against his latter-day albums, and it disappeared not long after its release. Charles left Warner and, years later, signed with Concord, who released Genius Loves Company, which had a decidedly different approach than the all-modern Strong Love Affair. As the title acknowledges with a wink, this is a duets album, which may be a little commonplace as far as latter-day superstar albums go but is still a step up from his previous studio album since it puts Ray Charles in a comfortable, relaxed situation that plays to his strengths. Instead of trying to put Charles in a modern setting, producers John Burk and Phil Ramone (Burk helmed seven of the album's tracks, Ramone is responsible for the other five, and their work fits together seamlessly) go for a clean retro setting with a few guitars, synths, and a rhythm section, occasionally dressing it with an orchestra or some strings. In other words, apart from the glistening production, it's not far removed from any of Charles' crossover records from the '60s, and he's also given a strong set of songs, largely familiar pop classics, from "Fever" and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" to "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" and "Crazy Love." His duet partners are fairly predictable -- classy newcomers like Norah Jones and Diana Krall, but also old stalwarts like Elton John, B.B. King, Johnny Mathis, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, and the ubiquitous Willie Nelson (who has never sounded older than he does here on "It Was a Very Good Year") -- but they're also reliable, never overshadowing Ray yet never shrinking in his shadow either; in short, it sounds more like a real duets album than most superstar duet records. The end result is modest, friendly, laid-back, and pleasing, one that remains faithful to Charles' music while sounding relatively fresh. It may not be weighty enough to be a career-capping masterpiece, but it's sweet enough to be an appropriate final album -- which is far more than can be said of Strong Love Affair, or any of the other albums he cut in the '80s or '90s for that matter.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 12 track(s)
- Total length: 00:51:30
- Main artists: Ray Charles
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Tangerine
- Genre: Jazz
2021 Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation 2021 Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation Tangerine Records, Released Under Exclusive License to Exceleration Music Partners, LLC by the Ray Charles Foundation
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