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List Price: $12.98 | | Label: EMI Int'l
Salesrank: 667661
Released: June 6, 2005 |
| Our Price: $75.68 |
| Used Price: $10.89 |
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| Media: Audio CD |
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Editorial Review:
DVD is NTSC format, region code 2
Description of Genius Loves Company:
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
Genius Loves Company Reviews:
Genius at work 
2009-08-09 - It's obvious from reading the wide variety of opinions on this CD that the musical selections on "Genius Loves Company", like music itself, move people in many different directions. "Different directions" is probably a good way to describe this compilation of duets with a variety of artists produced during the twilight of Ray's great life and career. "Genius Loves Company", in a way, represents a microcosm of Ray's career in that there are plenty of R&B, soul, and pop tunes in this album. While heavy on orchestration, this CD does showcase a cavalcade of great performers including Elton John, Michael McDonald, James Taylor, Gladys Knight, Natalie Cole, BB King, and Johnny Mathis. Ray shares the stage well with these performers and allows them to have their moments to shine on the album.
The idea for this album actually sprang from a live collaboration between Ray and Van Morrison on "Crazy Love", which is the last selection on the disk. Though it's obvious that Ray was losing some of his volume and range in this album (he was 73 at the time of most of the recording), he is still in fine form and shines on cuts with Knight ("Heaven Help Us All"), Cole ("Fever"), McDonald ("Hey Girl"), and Bonnie Raitt ("Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?"). My favorite cut from the album is Ray's duet with BB King on "Sinner's Prayer". It's obvious that the two legends are familiar with with each other and fit together like your favorite pair of leather gloves on this selection.
My least favorite cut is the duet with Willie Nelson on "It Was a Very Good Year". The song is a musically challenging as it stands and the two men struggle with the range and tempo of the song. Elton and Ray's rendition of "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word" is less than satisfying, as well. Be that as it may, there are enough great songs on this CD to please both the casual and dedicated fans of Ray Charles.
Nice Gentle Album with the Genius Ray Charles In His Twilight Years 
2009-08-05 - This is a very nice album where every major singer who has ever loved Ray Charles gets to sing with him. The album has strong production values and is very nice to listen to. Very mellow and gentle. I only hope that this famous singers actually got to meet Ray Charles sometime during the production of the album. Seems like they can make albums like this without every seeing each other but that cuts into the fun.
RAY'S IDEA AND PRODUCER JOHN BURK BRINGING IT TO REALITY ENDED UP BEING RAY'S SWAN SONG ALBUM EARNING HIM 14 GRAMMY AWARDS!!!
2009-04-29 - Ray's vocals are very tiny and fraile, but one must remember the man was 74 (Seventy-Four) years old! There are no let-me-get-on-the phone-and-play this-for-somebody-to-hear songs to be found here. "Here We Go Again" with Norah Jones was the cut that won several of the Grammy Awards...How?...we'll never know (Play this up against the 'Original' version from 1967, and you tell me which one sounds the best?). There was a total of 14 (Fourteen) Grammy Awards won for this album! I really think this was the Grammy Voters, and the everybody else simply saying THANK YOU RAY CHARLES FOR GIVING US OVER 50 YEARS OF HISTORY MAKING RECORDINGS!
Album highlights: "Hey Girl" with Michael McDonald, "Over The Rainbow" with Johnny Mathis which was played during the parting view of Ray's body during his televised Homegoing Service...That should tell you how great this song is!, and "Crazy Love" with Van Morrison. This was a nice way to a long career in this business we call music. Now the story doesn't end here...Rhino/Atlantic rush-released an album of duets recorded in 1997-1998 entitled "Genuis And Friends" which is a better album, but because of Rhino trying to cash in on "Genius Loves Company" it was met with so-so reviews, lackluster sales and Light Airplay, but still worth having in your collection. In 2005 there was a Box Set that covered his complete Atlantic Records recordings (1952-1959). There wasn't a whole lot of surprises because when Ray signed with ABC Records in late 1959 Atlantic was grabbing almost anything in vaults and releasing Albums and Singles, so there are no major surprises on the Box set. When I save up enough $$$, I'll be buying a copy (And reviewing it...Stay tuned!).
In late 1959 Ray signed with ABC Records who gave him complete control of his recordings. Whatever idea he (Ray) would come up with they (ABC) would give him the gren light, so from the early years (1959 to 1964) they was several Singles that never made it to Albums (Not that they were bad, they just simply were not include for Album release). They are at least 12 (Twelve) from this period that have yet to see the light on Compact Disc! And another 12 (Twelve) or more from 1965 to 1973. In 1965 Ray opened up his R.P.M. Studio and the core of his recordings took place there up until his death in June 0f 2004. Ray would remain with ABC Records for a total of 14 years! So you can imagine how many Unreleased Recordings are sitting in the vaults??? And that's just from the ABC years (1959 to 1973). In 1974 Ray formed Crossover Records and released several albums independently...Did a deal with Atlantic Records (With his Crossover Records imprint). So in short there is a wealth of Unreleased recordings! Hopefully some Record Company will make us happy one day SOON...The only thing we can do now is hope.
Audio CD Purchase
2009-03-18 - product received was as advertised, and in great condition. Would buy from this vendor again.
Ray Charles; what a loss
2008-11-12 - This album has a collection of the blues' genius with other great talents; and lovely performances with Norah Jones, James Taylor, Willie Nelson, B.B. King, Van Morrison. My favorites are: "sorry seems to be the hardest word" with Elton John, and" Do I ever cross your mind" with Bonnie Raitt.
A great album that can only be enhanced by listening to another wonderful collection: Ray Charles & friends
