Sell Us Your Item
For up to a $5.20 Gift Card
Trade in
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Sorry, this item is not available in
Image not available for
Color:
Image not available

To view this video download Flash Player

 

Genius: The Ultimate Collection

Ray CharlesAudio CD
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)


Available from these sellers.


Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Audio CD, 2009 --  

Amazon's Ray Charles Store

Music

Image of album by Ray Charles

Photos

Image of Ray Charles

Videos

Singular Genius' Trailer

Biography

R&B innovator Ray Charles was one of the most important musicians of the 1950s. Despite being blind from childhood, he was hugely successful at fusing elements of blues, country, gospel and doo-wop together to form a kind of proto-soul.

Despite losing his sight at an early age, he never let his disability stop him from being a success and scored several R&B chart hits in the ... Read more in Amazon's Ray Charles Store

Visit Amazon's Ray Charles Store
for 408 albums, 6 photos, videos, discussions, and more.


Product Details

  • Audio CD (April 7, 2009)
  • Original Release Date: 2009
  • Number of Discs: 1
  • Label: Concord Records
  • ASIN: B001QAZAPS
  • Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,736 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

1. Hit The Road Jack
2. What'd I Say (Part 1)
3. Busted
4. I Can't Stop Loving You
5. Sticks And Stones
6. Drown In My Own Tears
7. Unchain My Heart
8. Georgia On My Mind
9. I've Got A Woman
10. You Are My Sunshine
11. Take These Chains From My Heart
12. Hide Nor Hair
13. Let's Go Get Stoned
14. You Don't Know Me
15. Hallelujah I Love Her So (Live)
16. Crying Time
17. A Fool For You
18. One Mint Julep
19. Here We Go Again
20. Yesterday
See all 21 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

2009 collection from the Soul/Rock/Jazz icon. Ray Charles remains one of the few artists of the Rock 'N' Roll generation that was able to reach across many musical genres and inspire generations of musicians and fans. His legacy continues to touch millions upon millions of listeners each year, both directly and indirectly. This compilation gathers together 21 of his biggest hits, all digitally remastered from the original tapes. The special deluxe packaging features a 24 page collectors book filled with rare photos and extensive liner notes. Features 'Hit The Road Jack', 'America The Beautiful', 'What'd I Say (Part One)', 'Georgia On My Mind' and many more.

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
(27)
4.8 out of 5 stars
Great music, will recommend it to anyone! Sarah L. Calvo  |  7 reviewers made a similar statement
Ray Charles is another great vocalist. pingapple  |  6 reviewers made a similar statement
It was bought for a friend, who loves Ray Charles and this CD has most of his best songs. Robert T. Sanders  |  6 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
40 of 41 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Throughout his life Ray Charles overcame obstacles that would defeat lesser men. He was partially blinded in an unfortunate accident in his back yard at age 5 and became totally blinded at the age of 7. Rather than wallow in his misfortune, a very young Ray Charles began to study classical piano and clarinet at the State School for Deaf and Blind Children in St. Augustine, FL. Ray quickly figured out that music was what he wanted to do with his life. He moved to Seattle in 1948 at the age of 18 and formed the Maxine Trio. Just a year later the group inked a deal with a small Los Angeles based label called Swingtime. After just a few months the groups debut release "Confession Blues" rose all the way to #2 on Billboard's R & B chart. A couple of other hits followed and important people in the music business began to take notice. One of them was Ahmet Ertegan of Atlantic records who had a knack for discovering important new talent. Ray Charles would ink a deal with Atlantic records in 1952 and the rest as they say is history. Over the next five and a half decades Ray Charles would become an institution and one of the most important recording artists and "live" performers in American musical history. Concord records 2009 release "Ray Charles/Genius: The Ultimate Collection" celebrates the man's biggest and most memorable recordings from his hey-day at Atlantic between 1952 and 1960 as well as his legendary hits at ABC-Paramount during the 1960's. It is a stunning collection featuring a variety of musical styles that reminds us all of just how versatile and talented an artist Ray Charles was.

"Ray Charles/Genius: The Ultimate Collection" features a half dozen of Ray's most popular recordings from his stint at Atlantic. Enjoy newly remastered recordings of great hits like "What I'd Say", "A Fool For You" as well as my personal favorite "Drowning In My Tears" which hit #1 on the R & B charts back in 1956. You will also find "Sticks and Stones", "I've Got A Woman" and a fabulous "live" recording of "Hallelujah, I Love Her So" from the Atlantic era. While Ray Charles was wildly popular among jazz and R & B afficianados during the 1950's he really hit his stride with general audiences after signing a deal with ABC-Paramount in 1960. There were certainly a lot of raised eyebrows when Ray opted to leave Atlantic but evidently he knew what he was doing. During his 14 year stay at ABC Ray Charles had around 60 charted singles and recorded dozens of successful albums in a wide variety of musical styles. Hear once again great hits like 1961's "Hit The Road Jack", "I Can't Stop Loving You" and the haunting ballad "You Don't Know Me". Indeed, one of my all-time Ray Charles faves was his magnificent rendition of Buck Owens' country classic "Crying Time" which was a huge hit on the pop, country, R & B and adult contemporary charts in early 1966. Add to the mix tunes like "Busted", "Georgia On My Mind", "Take These Chains From My Heart" and "Unchain My Heart" and it is easy to understand why "Ray Charles/Genius: The Ultimate Collection" should be considered to be absolutely essential to any serious collection of American popular music.\

"Ray Charles/Genius: The Ultimate Collection" comes with an outstanding 24 page booklet that includes a brief biography of Ray, a number of splendid photos and a brief story about each of the 21 tracks in this collection. And believe me when I tell you that these tracks have never, ever sounded better! The remastering job done by the folks at Concord records is exceptional. These are the original Atlantic and ABC-Paramount recordings you would remember from the radio. No re-recordings here thank God! I have been collecting records now for more than 40 years. I can always tell when a project has been done with tender loving care. Such is the case with "Ray Charles/Genius: The Ultimate Collection". Very highly recommended!
Was this review helpful to you?
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Songwriter, pianist and vocalist Ray Charles may be one of the most anthologized pop artists in history, with several hundred collections and repackagings issued on LP and CD. But even with so many facets of his career having been explored, there remain essential sides that have yet to see official digital reissue. Concord is kicking off an extensive redevelopment of Charles' post-1960 catalogs on the ABC-Paramount and Tangerine labels with this 63-minute 21-track disc of career highlights, including ten R&B chart toppers and three pop #1s.

The set includes four tracks from Charles' time on Atlantic, reaching back as early as 1955 for "I've Got a Woman." The bulk of the set is drawn from 1960 through 1967, starting with Charles' first pop chart topper, 1960's "Georgia on My Mind," and winding along to 1967's "Here We Go Again" and "Yesterday." The disc closes with Charles' last single for ABC, 1976's "America the Beautiful." Throughout the twenty-one selections you can hear Charles' develop his seminal brand of soul from roots in gospel, blues, R&B, and jazz. ABC freed Charles to explore more broadly than had Atlantic, bringing in Latin rhythms, singing the works of country and tin-pan alley songwriters, adding strings, and alternating between the sassy call-and-response of the Raelettes and a smooth backing chorus.

Concord's digital remastering is crisp (mono for the Atlantic tracks 2, 6, 9, 17), and the non-chronological song sequence provides an excellent flow. The CD includes a 20-page booklet with liner and song notes by Don Heckman, photos, release and chart data, and an embossed cardboard wrapper. Few artists can boast as powerful a catalog as Charles, and though it's overstatement to label any single disc an ultimate collection (there's many times more essential sides missing than would fit), this is a welcome overture to the coming symphony of ABC/Tangerine reissues. 4-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings. [©2009 hyperbolium dot com]
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Sincerely, Ray April 19, 2009
Format:Audio CD
There honestly has been so much going on with R&B right now with a lot of younger artists, that we honestly do forget the brightened roots of traditional R&B. That sadly is the case with classic artists like the late Ray Charles. It sadly has been 5 years since Ray Charles tragic passing, but his music definitely has brought in new lights thanks to his final original album Genius Loves Company, and the film Ray with Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx. Yet, with all the great moments in Soul, Ray Charles is always recognized as a true and blue pioneer with the standards of soul. Now, a new hits collection showcases why Ray Charles was nicknamed with the meaning of Genius.

Genius! The Ultimate Ray Charles Collection is a reflection of what had made Ray Charles so classic. While the collection as a whole is strong, at reflecting his biggest hits of the 50's and 60's, there honestly was a big surprise that Concord, the label that released Genius Loves Company, would showcase the album. The collection of songs have been remastered very well, and include a lot of his genuine standards from Hit The Road Jack!, the elegant and somber Georgia On My Mind, as well What I'd Say, and Un-Chain My Heart, which was covered brilliantly later by Joe Cocker. While the collection as a whole is a great re-introduction for Ray Charles, I sadly was hoping there would be more from Ray's later years in the 80's and with Genius Loves Company here, with You Don't Know Me collaborating with Diana Krall, and Baby Grand, his 1986 duet with Billy Joel. It does surprise me also that especially something from Genius Loves Company could've been here, considering that Concord which released the album should've had something from that album on this compilation.

Nevertheless, if you have not yet owned a Ray Charles record, or heard any of his classic songs, than Genius! The Ultimate Ray Charles Collection is a great starter for your music library. I really love his classic gems that helped shape the essence of what R&B is like today. I think it is a nevertheless a very strong album that is sure to tell you that Georgia will always be on your mind, and that you heart will never be un-chained to the soul of life that Ray Charles had brought to the music industry.

Album Cover: B

Songs: B+

Price: B+

Remastering: B

Overall: B 1/2+
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars It is definitely genius
He is a gifted artist. His music is thought provoking and gives you messages that you need. No matter how old the song, it has meaning and relevance now.
Published 4 days ago by PBR
5.0 out of 5 stars Great compilation
Ray Charles has so many great hits. This is a fine collection. A friend loaned this CD to me. I liked it so much I wanted my own copy. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Olinda Paschal
4.0 out of 5 stars Great cd. Fast shipping.
I bought this as a gift for my husband. It had a lot of his favorite songs on it. He was very happy with the CD.
Published 2 months ago by Amy
5.0 out of 5 stars The Best of the Best
I've loved Ray Charles forever. The CD has some great music, including his version of "America The Beautiful" (never been a better version). Read more
Published 2 months ago by Elaine DiCenzo
5.0 out of 5 stars Genius: The Ultimate Collection - Ray Charles
Been a Ray fan since I first heard him in the 1960s. Got all the hits - Hit the Road Jack, What'd I Say, Unchain My Heart, Crying Time. Ray is one of the legends.
Published 3 months ago by Michael Young
3.0 out of 5 stars Ray Charles fans
If you love Ray Charles, then it's hard not to like all of his CD's.
This is one of the ones that I liked the least...but he was truly a Genius! Read more
Published 4 months ago by Diane
5.0 out of 5 stars Ray Charles
This CD is Ray Charles at his best. He was always a favorite of mine so I'm not surprised about that, but it is recommended by me.
Published 5 months ago by William R. King
5.0 out of 5 stars My Man
This cd from Ray Charles displays his true genius. I highly recommend this item, particularly his rendition of "Georgia" and "America, the beautiful." Ray, you are the greatest!.
Published 11 months ago by Frank Lewis
5.0 out of 5 stars Ultimate Collection Indeed
This is a must have collection for anyone wanting a good cross-section of Ray Charles' music. He is a one-of-a-kind musician with a distinctive sound of his own. Very enjoyable.
Published 13 months ago by Blind Lemon Pie
5.0 out of 5 stars Great collection of songs
This CD really is the ultimate collection. Over 20 of the best Ray Charles songs. I bought this as a gift for my dad and he loved it.
Published 15 months ago by Tommyboy
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

Forums

Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions

Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 





What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?



Look for Similar Items by Category


Want to discover more products? You may find many from ray charles shopping list.