Ray Charles and Betty Carter/Dedicated to You [ORIGINAL RECORDING REISSUED] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

Ray Charles, Betty Carter

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 21, 1998)
• Original Release Date: 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Rhino / Wea
• ASIN: B0000063EW
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #61,980 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording
Ray Charles's decision to cut an album of duets with then-rising jazz singer Betty Carter defines the phrase "unerring instinct." Charles responds to Carter's gorgeous voice and compelling melodic changes with some of his softest singing; you might say that this already masterful conduit of emotion got in touch with his feminine side on this 1961 date. The opening and closing cuts of the girls'-names theme album Dedicated to You, another '61 LP that fills out this 78-minute disc, demonstrate Brother Ray's touch for transforming unlikely material into expressions of his own funky essence. His amused big-band celebrations of "Hardhearted Hannah" and "Sweet Georgia Brown" sit alongside sublime portraits of "Stella by Starlight" and "Ruby" on an underappreciated set that's a perfect match for the Charles-Carter sides. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars one of the most played in my collection, October 11, 1998

By A Customer

When this was recorded there were so many people who showed up to witness this fabulous duo, that the session had to be closed. You can feel the emotion...not a finer recording exists. Guess you can tell I like it.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ray Charles at his best, July 4, 1998

By A Customer

I originally bought "Dedicated to You" in 1961 in college. It was the only albumn that I ever wore out completely with help from my dormmates. It was played constantly. The titles are all girl's names and his treatment of "Nancy" "Dianne" and "Hard-hearted Hannah"are classic with big band background. All these years later the CD has not lost a thing in fact the stereo sound is more realistic than it ever was. Then to find an additional albumn with Ray and Betty Carter on the CD was a real bonus. The price is worth one of these two alone. If you like Ray Charles you won't be disappointed.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you like Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong..., January 21, 2000

By A Customer

Ray and Betty rule. This is an outstanding pairing of contrasting vocal talents with fine phrasing and orchestration. Wonderful.