Customer Reviews

Ray Charles Sings for America

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's easy to take Ray Charles for granted, as it seems like he's been around forever, but you might not after listening to this. I bought this on 9-11-2002 for "America The Beautiful," as I consider this the best rendition of that song, but I was pleased with what else is on here.

"Sail Away" (wriiten by Randy Newman) is actually a wickedly ironic tune connecting the Black American expereince with slave ships (you have to listen closely to the lyrics to get the irony). "Hey Mister" deals with the problem of hunger in America while the remakes of "Abraham Martin and John," "Imagine," "Let it Be," "That Lucky Old Sun," etc. are so hauntingly soulful with Ray's aching voice and the Raylette's gospel-like phrasings that you wouldn't wanna listen to this with the lights off late at night.

Overall, this wonderful album (much of it culled from 1972's "Message for the People") will really make you appreciate Ray Charles for the genius that he is.

This CD is well worth the price for the classic Ray Charles singing America The Beautiful. His soulful versions of Randy Newman's Sail Away, John Denver's Take Me Home, Country Roads, John Lennon's Imagine (featuring the Harlem Gospel Singers), are added bonuses. He makes every one of these songs his own.

I decided to purchase this CD when I heard Ray's rockin' rendition of Lift Every Voice and Sing. Even the syrup-y strings and too-perfect background singers on Somewhere Over the Rainbow can't squelch the gritty soul when Brother Ray sings that old chestnut.

This is a great CD. The songs are by far some of his very
best work. We enjoyed it from start to finish.

This album includes Ray remaking some of the greatest songs of all time. The word 'cover' doesn't do Ray justice. 'America the Beautiful' is one of the best recordings I've ever heard.

Here are some other tracks that give me the chills:

Let It Be
Sail Away
Over the Rainbow
Imagine

The recordings capture the soul in Ray's voice and piano. He is not trying to sell you anything. Ray loves his music and his country and album is a testament to that.

This is everything that I knew it would be. Ray Charles has a style that is unique and when he sings "America" it makes me proud to be an American. He is inspiring and evokes strong emotions with his singing.

I got this CD for America the Beautiful after hearing it at the end of the Mark Levine show.
I am not a fan of blues music I am more of a METAL guy, so I was not expecting much. I now understand why people love Ray so much. The depth of his voice and the emotion that he broadcasts when he sings is undeniable. I like almost every song on this CD. The quality of the recordings are amazing!
It may seem a bit pricey for a CD but was well worth it to me.

I think this is one of the best patriotic cd that I have heard. No one can sing America The Beautiful better than
Ray Charles. I highly recommend this cd to anyone but especially a Ray Charles fan. Truly like it more each time I listen to it.

I am the typical patrotic American and I just loved this collection of Ray Charles. Everytime I hear it I get chills up an ddown my spine and a tear in my eye. I would recommend this to every and all Americans.

I've long dug Ray Charles.He is one of the Modern Day Fathers of Music for me overall.the Man can take any element of Style of Music&make it work on all fronts.Here He takes Material Reflecting in the Spirit of America&makes it His own."God Bless America Again" brings Him back with Billy Preston who started out playing with Ray Charles.that is So Cool having two Great Organ Players together.when Ray Charles Sings you can feel so much Emotion&Depth&He brings it to this Project&so much more.America is Even that more Better for having this Musical Genius&Legend Be Blessed with the Gift of a Voice that Transends time.and reflects that much more a Year after 9-11-01.

God rest your precious soul Ray Charles. Soulful rendition of America the Beautiful the Beautiful. Ronald Regan also passed on this week and The President asked Ray to sing this song at his 2nd inaguration. Thank you Mr. President for making the world safe. Thank Mr. Charles for sharing you gifts with us. You will be missed. Amen