Genius Loves Company [Import]

Track Listings

1. Here We Go Again (With Norah Jones)

2. Sweet Potato Pie (With James Taylor)

3. You Don't Know Me (With Diana Krall)

4. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word (With Elton John)

5. Fever (With Natalie Cole)

6. Do I Ever Cross Your Mind (With Bonnie Raitt)

7. It Was A Very Good Year (With Willie Nelson)

8. Hey Girl (With Michael Mcdonald)

9. Sinner's Prayer (With B.B. King)

10. Heaven Help Us All (With Gladys Knight)

11. Over The Rainbow (With Johnny Mathis)

12. Crazy Love (With Van Morrison)

13. Ellie My Love (Bonus Track)

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Japanese pressing of the late music icon's 2004 album includes one exclusive bonus track 'Ellie My Love'. Concord.

Genius Loves Company,Ray Charles,Jvc Victor,Blues,R&B/Soul

Tracks:

Here We Go Again - Features Norah Jones
Sweet Potato Pie - Features James Taylor
You Don't Know Me - Features Diana Krall
Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word - Features Elton John
Fever - Features Natalie Cole
Do I Ever Cross Your Mind - Features Bonnie Raitt
It Was A Very Good Year - Features Willie Nelson
Hey Girl - Features Michael McDonald
Sinner's Prayer - Features B.B. King
Heaven Help Us All - Features Gladys Knight
Somewhere Over The Rainbow - Features Johnny Mathis
Crazy Love - Features Van Morrison

Amazon.com

The fact that Genius Loves Company will be Ray Charles's final new album inspires an unavoidable blue feeling. But it's also a happy reminder that the man spent the last months of his life at work doing what he loved. The overall effect of these dozen duets is autumnal and smooth. Brother Ray is on point and cruising here. Fine moments abound--you can hear his delight even in the rather stiff company of Diana Krall and Natalie Cole. His voice sounds a bit frayed by ill health at times, but it also allows for great performances like the slyness behind the ache in his version of the old soul hit "Hey Girl" with Michael McDonald and a grand "Crazy Love" with Van Morrison. Potently, he and Gladys Knight remind us of the continued timeliness of Stevie Wonder's "Heaven Help Us All." Its best moments make Company one more essential purchase for Ray Charles fans. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews:

Take this Genius with you.......2007-07-16

Good music, great talent. Norah Jones, James Taylor, B.B. King! with past and current stars this CD is totally enjoyable. Willie Nelson's set is my favorite and I can't forget to mention Diana Krall.

In the December of His Life.......2007-06-05

When I was a kid, I was privileged to grow up with great music always playing in the house. From my grandfather I inherited a love for classical, and for country when it was still "country and western." From my dad, though, I inherited my appreciation for Ray Charles.

At the time, I was listening to a lot of soul, like Smokey Robinson and Otis Redding, and rock, like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. After hearing a record of "What'd I Say" and "Hit the Road Jack," I asked my father what kind of music that was. "That's Ray Charles," he told me. I told him I wanted to know what kind of music he was playing. He gave me the same answer.

It took me a while to understand what he was getting at. Charles's music was beyond category; it was his own invention, completely and utterly sui generis.

Take, for instance, his now-classic arrangement of "America the Beautiful." My grade school music teacher actually thought I was unpatriotic because I couldn't stand the standard version of the song. But it wasn't the words I had a problem with--only the juvenile, sing-song meter: I thought the song wasn't fit to be representing my country. Years later, after I left the Army, I saw Charles on television performing "America the Beautiful" before a baseball game. Using a gospel rhythm on his piano and singing off the backbeat, he transformed it into something so magnificently inspired that he made it all his own--and one of my all-time favorites. I guess that's why he's called, not "a genius," but "The Genius."

Charles died in 2004 at the age of seventy-three. His last work, Genius Loves Company, an album of duets, was a labor of love by an incomparable artist who knew his days were numbered. It was in the tradition of other famous duet releases, beginning in 1991 with Natalie Cole's Unforgettable: With Love--the remarkable album featuring studio-engineered duets with her deceased father, Nat King Cole--and followed by star-studded duet albums from Frank Sinatra (1993) and Tony Bennett (Playin' with My Friends, 2001).

Genius Loves Company opens strong, with Charles's country/blues hit from the 1960s, "Here We Go Again"--this time a collaboration with Grammy-winning newcomer Norah Jones. There's a cover with Diana Krall of Eddy Arnold's country classic "You Don't Know Me," which Charles also recorded in 1962. On this take, the lyrics are parsed at just the right points, letting Krall's satiny vocals work off Charles's gravelly blues. For a duet with Willie Nelson on the Sinatra classic "It Was a Very Good Year," the two old-timers barely sing, but rather narrate the lyrics, much like Jimmy Durante, or Walter Huston in his performance of "September Song." On "Sinner's Prayer" B.B. King is along for the ride with his beloved Lucille. With King's scorching guitar work a perfect counterpoint to the staccato rhythms of Ray's chords, and Billy Preston backing up on the Hammond organ, this is the album's strongest cut. A finger-snapping rendition of "Fever" with Natalie Cole and an a cappella gospel take on "Crazy Love" with Van Morrison round out this solid effort.

Although Charles passed away before Genius Loves Company was released, he must have known that he was going out on top. While recording the album, he worked with director Taylor Hackford and actor Jamie Foxx on the biopic of his life story, Ray. At the 2005 Grammy awards Genius Loves Company walked off with all the important trophies, and Foxx took home the best actor Academy Award for his uncanny portrayal of the legendary musician.

Okay, it's a cliché, but it's still true: Ray Charles may be gone, but his music will be with us forever.

Genius Album.......2007-05-25

Ray Charles by himself is genius, but to pair up with some of musics most distinguished artists and provide listeners with a variety of soulful and beautiful music is simply fantastic. The opening track is a great start with Norah Jones. Though I am not much of a country fan the Willie Nelson Duet gives me shivers from its great color and depth. I love all of the tracks and often will grab my partner and dance to the tracks because it is so great!

This is actually my second time purchasing this CD because I had to give it to someone who I new would love the music.

It's Genius!.......2007-03-24

This CD is fantastic and I love the duets of old favorites being given a
new "flavor" by Ray Charles and friends. It's soothing music, and yet it
energizes.

Genius loves company a hit with us.......2007-01-29

Both of us love this Ray Charles CD. We enjoy all the tracks! Each track is a duet with a different performer, and they're all great!

Ray Charles, Genius Loves Company (Monster Music High Definition Surround Sound CD SUPERDISC)

Average customer rating:

Wonderful CD
Surrounded by Genius
Simply fantastic
Very nice ....but...
Excellent recording quality...

Ray Charles, Genius Loves Company (Monster Music High Definition Surround Sound CD SUPERDISC)
Ray Charles
Manufacturer: Monster Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Blues | Styles | Music

Piano | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Classic R&B | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

Vince Guaraldi, A Charlie Brown Christmas (Monster Music High Definition Surround Sound CD SUPERDISC)
Peter Cincotti, Live in New York with a Bonus CD "On the Moon" (Monster Music High Definition Surround Sound Audio DVD SUPERDISC)
David Benoit, 40th Year Anniversary Charlie Brown Christmas (Monster Music High Definition Surround Sound CD SUPERDISC)
Givin' It Up (SuperDisc)
Telarc SACD Sampler: Sound and Vision

ASIN: B000BPFBVW
Release Date: 2006-11-28

Tracks:

Here We Go Again with Norah Jones
Sweet Potato Pie with James Taylor
You Dont Know Me with Diana Krall
Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word with Elton John
Fever with Natalie Cole
Do I Ever Cross your Mind? With Bonnie Raitt
It Was A Very Good Year with Willie Nelson
Hey Girl with Michael McDonald
Sinners Prayer with B.B. King
Heaven Help Us All with Gladys Knight
Over The Rainbow with Johnny Mathis
Crazy Love with Van Morrison
Unchain My Heart with Take 6
MaryAnn with Poncho Sanchez

Product Description

high Definition Surround Soung With in The Band Surround Feature Experiences digital Music Files Encoded With Dolby Music Files That Simulate Surround Sound Through Any Pair Of Headphone each Track Has Been Remixed And Audiophile Mastered Get live Experience

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful CD.......2007-02-08

This High Def Surround Sound CD Superdisc is great. You can really appreciate the fullness of the sound with this process.

Surrounded by Genius.......2007-02-07

I'll admit to being fascinated by anything in surround-sound but the high-definition process used by Monster for the Superdiscs is phenomenal, putting you right there in the recording booth with the artists.

Highly recommended and versatile package includes Dolby and DTS tracks plus something not found elsewhere: digital files for your MP3 player in Dolby Headphone Surround.

You will not find better sound technology than this. A highly recommended album.

Simply fantastic.......2007-01-26

Possuo alguns SACDs e DVDs-AUDIO que já considerava espetaculares, mas este SUPERDISC me agradou muito. A qualidade sonora é surpreendente em qualquer dos três sistemas apresentados. Agora ficarei na espectativa de outros títulos no mesmo formato.
Quem possui um bom sistema de áudio precisa experimentar este SUPERDISC.

Very nice ....but..........2006-12-20

I already have this item as a sacd and it sounds great, I got it to see what was changed as I have a Pioneer Elite receiver and DVD player that can handle everything this disc has. On my home unit there was not much differant from the SACD but there was a little better sound from the SUPERDISC. But the SUPERDISC sounds great on my car, I play the DVD in the car and it sounds great, I can't play SACD's in the car. The 2 additional tracks are no reason to get this disc.

Excellent recording quality..........2006-11-03

The DVD has a lot of extras and the CD is excellent quality. A great buy.

Average customer rating:

Good SACD
Mediocre
Meant for SACD

Genius Loves Company
Ray Charles
Manufacturer: Concord Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Blues | Styles | Music

Piano | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Classic R&B | R&B | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Dark Side of the Moon 30th Anniversary Edition
The Girl in the Other Room
Come Away With Me
Concord Records SACD Sampler 1 (Multichannel Hybrid SACD)
When I Look in Your Eyes (Sl)

ASIN: B0002XEDQM
Release Date: 2004-09-14

Tracks:

Here We Go Again - Ray Charles, Norah Jones
Sweet Potato Pie - Ray Charles, James Taylor
You Don't Know Me - Ray Charles, Diana Krall
Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word - Ray Charles, Elton John
Fever - Ray Charles, Natalie Cole
Do I Ever Cross Your Mind? - Ray Charles, Bonnie Raitt
It Was a Very Good Year - Ray Charles, Willie Nelson
Hey Girl - Ray Charles, Michael McDonald, Michael McDonald
Sinner's Prayer - Ray Charles, B.B. King,
Heaven Help Us All - Ray Charles, Gladys Knight
Over the Rainbow - Ray Charles, Johnny Mathis
Crazy Love [Live] - Ray Charles, Van Morrison
[CD-ROM Track] - Ray Charles

Customer Reviews:

Good SACD.......2007-03-20

I compare the CD and SACD, and found that SACD sounds a bit better than the CD in stereo. The songs are good also, with many companion of other singer bring nice atmosphere

Mediocre.......2006-11-10

The songs are poor, the recording quality is worse. For some reason no one can duplicate the sacd multichannel quality in Dire Straits or Allison Krause.

Meant for SACD.......2005-04-07

If you have a player that can play SACD then this album really shines.

I cannot do justice to this review, just read the reviews for the regular CD. Last I checked 149 people gave it an average 4 stars.

Average customer rating:

Genius Loves Company
Ray Charles
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Blues | Styles | Music

Piano | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Classic R&B | R&B | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

Blues | Imports | Stores | Music

R&B | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Not Too Late

ASIN: B0006Q2TTI
Release Date: 2004-12-13

Tracks:

Here We Go Again - Ray Charles, Norah Jones
Sweet Potato Pie - Ray Charles,
You Don't Know Me - Ray Charles, Diana Krall
Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word - Ray Charles, Elton John
Fever - Ray Charles, Natalie Cole
Do I Ever Cross Your Mind - Ray Charles, Bonnie Raitt
It Was a Very Good Year - Ray Charles,
Hey Girl - Ray Charles,
Sinner's Prayer - Ray Charles, B.B. King
Heaven Help Us All - Ray Charles, Gladys Knight
Somewhere Over the Rainbow - Ray Charles,
Crazy Love - Ray Charles, Van Morrison
Mary Anne [Bonus DVD] - Ray Charles
Epk & A Film Trailer of Ray the Biopic That Opens Shortly Around the Wo - Ray Charles

Album Description

Import exclusive pressing of the late legend's Grammy award winning album for 2004 . Includes a bonus DVD (NTSC/Code 0) containing a bonus audio track 'Mary Ann' (feat. Poncho Sanchez), and a movie trailer for 'Ray', along with a photo session interview, and the making of "Genius Loves Company". EMI. 2005.

Album Details

Asian Version featuring a Bonus Dvd with an Audio Track (Mary Anne featuring Poncho Sanchez), and the Trailer for the Film 'ray'. Dvd is Ntsc Format, Region Code 0

Average customer rating:

Genius Loves Company
Ray Charles
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

Blues | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0009WFHMA
Release Date: 2005-06-06

Average customer rating:

Genius Loves Company
Ray Charles
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Blues | Styles | Music

Piano | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Classic R&B | R&B | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

R&B | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0006VYEAA
Release Date: 2005-01-24

Tracks:

Here We Go Again - Ray Charles
Sweet Potato Pie - James Taylor
You Don't Know Me - Ray Charles
Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word - Elton John
Fever - Natalie Cole
Do I Ever Cross Your Mind? - Ray Charles
It Was A Very Good Year - Willie Nelson
Hey Girl - Michael McDonald
Sinner's Prayer - B.B. King
Heaven Help Us All - Gladys Knight
Over The Rainbow - Johnny Mathis
Crazy Love - Van Morrison

Average customer rating:

Genius Loves Company
Ray Charles
Manufacturer: Jvc Victor
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Blues | Styles | Music

Piano | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Classic R&B | R&B | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

Blues | Imports | Stores | Music

R&B | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0002IE2H2
Release Date: 2004-08-30

Tracks:

Here We Go Again - Ray Charles, Norah Jones
Sweet Potato Pie - Ray Charles, James Taylor
You Don't Know Me - Ray Charles, Diana Krall
Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word - Ray Charles, Elton John
Fever - Ray Charles, Natalie Cole
Do I Ever Cross Your Mind? - Ray Charles, Bonnie Raitt
It Was a Very Good Year - Ray Charles, Willie Nelson
Hey Girl - Ray Charles, Michael McDonald, Michael McDonald
Sinner's Prayer - Ray Charles, B.B. King,
Heaven Help Us All - Ray Charles, Gladys Knight
Over the Rainbow - Ray Charles, Johnny Mathis
Crazy Love [Live] - Ray Charles, Van Morrison
[CD-ROM Track] - Ray Charles

Album Description

Japanese pressing of the late music icon's 2004 album includes one exclusive bonus track 'Ellie My Love'. Concord.

Album Details

Japanese Release featuring a Bonus Track: 'ellie My Love'.

Average customer rating:

Genius Loves Company
Ray Charles
Manufacturer: Jvc Victor
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Blues | Styles | Music

Piano | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Classic R&B | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

R&B | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0008MGNN8
Release Date: 2005-06-20

Tracks:

Here We Go Again - Ray Charles, Norah Jones
Sweet Potato Pie - Ray Charles,
You Don't Know Me - Ray Charles, Diana Krall
Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word - Ray Charles, Elton John
Fever - Ray Charles, Natalie Cole
Do I Ever Cross Your Mind - Ray Charles, Bonnie Raitt
It Was a Very Good Year - Ray Charles,
Hey Girl - Ray Charles,
Sinner's Prayer - Ray Charles, B.B. King
Heaven Help Us All - Ray Charles, Gladys Knight
Somewhere Over the Rainbow - Ray Charles,
Crazy Love - Ray Charles, Van Morrison
Mary Anne [Bonus DVD] - Ray Charles
Epk & A Film Trailer of Ray the Biopic That Opens Shortly Around the Wo - Ray Charles