Strong Love Affair

Ray Charles | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 30, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Warner Bros / Wea
• ASIN: B000002N3P
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #68,286 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Buried Treasure, August 2, 2001

By 

Craig Nickerson (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Strong Love Affair (Audio CD)

On the whole, not a bad album. So, why do I give it 4 stars out of 5? For two reasons: "Say No More" and "Angelina".

The latter I first heard when Ray performed it in concert. It expresses the grief of a man who has lost his wife (or lover) to terminal illness. Out of all the songs he did that night--including the great classics "What'd I Say", "I Can't Stop Loving You" and "Hit The Road, Jack"--"Angelina" is the one I remember most vividly. One phrase in particular, and the way Ray sang it, will always echo in my mind: "Angelina, to God for you I prayed." Here, he demonstrates his ability to capture so perfectly the sense of bereavement in a song of farewell written by someone else, in a performance that ranks with Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" and Annie Haslam's "A Thousand Angels".

Not long before that show, I had been blown away by "Say No More" when it was played on a local folk/roots radio station. The classical, almost ethereal sound of the intro was totally unexpected given the rhythm-and-blues format of the program, and when Ray's singing began, I said to myself, "God, this man can do it all!" What a flawless, atmospheric masterpiece of bittersweet reflection! (I was sure that Brendan Perry wrote the song--he didn't, but if you enjoy performances in this vein, suggest you check out his album EYE OF THE HUNTER.)

These two gems have greatly increased my respect for this original author of Soul, this giant among musical innovators.

One interesting note about the production--anyone remember Toyah, the British "Punk Princess of Pop" from the early 80's? After her original band was sacked, one of the new recruits was then-unknown bassist/songwriter Phil Spalding, who made his debut on her 1981 best-seller ANTHEM. Since then, Phil has recorded and/or toured with Mike Oldfield, been a member of the short-lived supergroup GTR (with Steve Howe and Steve Hackett), and become a much-in-demand session man in a class with Tony Levin and Leland Sklar. Lo and behold! here he is on STRONG LOVE AFFAIR playing behind, and writing for, the immortal Brother Ray! Phil's authorship credits (with Richard Niles) in this set are "All She Wants To Do Is Love Me", "No Time To Waste Time" and "Everybody's Handsome Child".

One hopes that "Say No More" and "Angelina" will one day be part of a compilation of Ray's best work of recent years. Until then, get this album if you can!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars SEVERAL TRACKS FEATURE A CONTEMPORARY SIDE OF RAY...THEN THERE SOME WITH THE FAMILIAR SOUND WE'VE COME TO EXPECT FROM RAY, April 8, 2009

By 

Mr. Nightshift (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Strong Love Affair (Audio CD)

The core of the MUSIC Tracks found on this Compact Disc were recorded in Paris, London, Norway and Denmark, so expect a whole different sound musicially. ALL of Ray's VOCALS were recorded at his own RPM Studio. Not one of his best album...I think he was just trying to keep up with the times. Key Tracks worth checking out, as well as buying the Compact Disc for are: "All She Wants To Do Is Love Me". This cut has some of the funnist lyrics! The way Ray talks about this lady, she must be a hell of a woman that I have yet to meet! "Say No More" is Real lush and pretty, Oh! I might add REAL STRINGS too! "Angelina" is another stand out ballad with REAL STRINGS! It should also be noted that Ray performed this in his live shows in the mid 90's, so it must have gotten somebody's attention. "If You Give Me Your Heart" is a Duet with Peggy Adams Scott. This beautiful Soul ballad turned a lot of heads, and yes!, this IS the SAME Peggy Scott from the mid 60's who recorded 4 (Four) Billboard Charted Hit Singles with Jo Jo Benson. Shortly after this release Peggy switched her name around, and became Peggy Scott-Adams, and became the Undisputed Queen Of Deep Soul with a #1 Billboard Blues Album entitled "Help Yourself" which featured the hit "Bill", So something good did come out of this album!

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow Ray at 66!, March 1, 2005

By 

J. McAndrew "Jeffrey C. McAndrew" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Strong Love Affair (Audio CD)

At the age of 66, Ray continued to be a "ball of energy." It was easy to tell Mr. Charles was truly in love with his music. Music was his passion. Some highlights on this wonderful CD......."Separate Ways" is a heartfelt ballad about love and loss, honesty and caring. Another slow song is "Say No More" He sings slow songs with such passion and sincerity. He was really feeling his songs! Two fantastic dancing songs on this disk are:
"All She Wants to Do is Love Me" and "No Time to Waste Time" There is no time to waste time, because "the time may come when time ain't on our side." Very wise advice. :)

More pure magic from musical genius Ray Charles!!!