Has it really been a decade since Ray Charles departed from earth? Time may march on, but good music sure can last. He went out in style, with this collection of duets being a fitting farewell. Concord is reissuing the landmark session in a limited edition 3 disc set, a vinyl set, and here in a cd/dvd collection. A couple bonus tracks are here as well; Poncho Sanchez sizzles behind Charles on “Mary Ann” and Charles goes it alone one more time on “Unchain My Heart.” What’s most surprising about all of the other duets is that they all work so well. Norah Jones is simply a delight on “Here We Go Again,” and Willie Nelson sounds like an ol’ drinkin’ buddy (well, maybe not beer…) on “It Was A Very Good Year.” Silky toned Johnny Mathis is as helpless as a kitten in a tree on “Over The Rainbow.” The comfort that Charles gives to each artist is like a local balm.
The dvd Making of Genius Loves Company features interviews with producer John Burk, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz and of course some of the collaborating artists like Jones and Elton John. Love and respect was in the air on this session.
Concord Records