New Ray Charles CD

Randy Beavers · Post by **Randy Beavers** » 11 Sep 2004 5:42 am

I've found what I think is a "sleeper" CD from Ray Charles. Starbucks Coffee House has CDs that only they release. Their current selection is "Ray Charles, Genius Loves Company." It is a collection of duets with the likes of Nora Jones, Diana Krall, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, B B King, Gladys Knight, Johnny Mathis, Natilie Cole, Elton John, and Michael Mcdonald. All selections were recorded last year so the quality is great. I wanted to post this because some of you may not frequent Starbucks and would never know about this gem. If you even remotely like Ray Charles you'll love this.

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Randy
http://hometown.aol.com/pulltightb/home.html
[This message was edited by Randy Beavers on 11 September 2004 at 06:44 AM.]

Roy Rosetta · Post by **Roy Rosetta** » 11 Sep 2004 8:49 am

Thanks Randy. I'm a huge Ray Charles fan, as well as a fan of many of the others you mentioned, problem is we have no Starbucks !!

Maybe in my travels I'll find one.
...Roy

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Music is a "gift" with many wrappings....
....Roy

[This message was edited by Roy Rosetta on 11 September 2004 at 09:51 AM.]

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 11 Sep 2004 10:35 am

Thanks for the 'heads up', Randy - I'd seen a note about that on the James Taylor e-mail newsletter a few weeks back, but it had slipped my mind. I'll be passing Starbucks on my way to the gig tonight

....

Another one to be released in similar circumstances will be James Taylor's Christmas album - only in Hallmark stores, I believe.

JT and RC - two musical treasures, to be sure!

Roger

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 11 Sep 2004 11:05 am

No Starbucks here either
would love to get one of 'em too

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 11 Sep 2004 3:56 pm

Amazon has it.

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Bob
intonation help

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 11 Sep 2004 7:32 pm

I left early for the theatre, looking forward to listening to this one all the way to Ft Myers, and all five Starbucks in Naples had sold out! One salesgirl apologized, and offered me an Elvis Presley CD instead......

I'm glad to hear it's on Amazon - that's where I'm trying next.

RR[This message was edited by Roger Rettig on 11 September 2004 at 08:35 PM.]

Steven Welborn · Post by **Steven Welborn** » 11 Sep 2004 8:53 pm

Ive always been a big Ray Charles fan(who isnt I guess)but I confess not having heard everything hes done. Last night while driving I heard "That Luck Old Sun" by RC for the first time. Lordy, Lordy... what a song. And what a performance. Got on the net and found the song is also covered by Louie Armstrong. Havent heard that one yet, but its gotta be good. That song was made for both those guys.

P Gleespen · Post by **P Gleespen** » 12 Sep 2004 11:32 am

It's good to know that there are still places without a Starbucks!

Glenn Suchan · Post by **Glenn Suchan** » 13 Sep 2004 10:17 am

A couple of years ago I fattened up my Ray Charles collection by scoring a copy of "Blues + Jazz". This a great 2-CD collection of Ray's early recording for Atlantic Records. (Incidently, Ray is credited with making Atlantic the successful company that it is. All on the strength of his first records for them.)

Anyway, "Blues + Jazz" is on the Rhino label and has all the R&B recordings on one CD and all the jazz on the other.

I've been a Ray Charles fanatic since I was about 12 or 13 (40 odd years) and this collection gave me a real thrill. Check it out here:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00000338F/qid=1095099771/sr=1-33/ref=sr_1_33/104-9978659-1321524?v=glance&s=music

Keep on pickin'...and listenin'!

Glenn

Kevin Macneil Brown · Post by **Kevin Macneil Brown** » 14 Sep 2004 6:02 am

Just a note: It's not a Starbuck's only release. In fact, It's been the runaway best-seller at the record store where I work!

Randy Beavers · Post by **Randy Beavers** » 14 Sep 2004 7:46 am

How 'bout that. The people pouring coffee at Starbucks didn't know the whole story?

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 14 Sep 2004 7:56 am

What is "Starbucks"?

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 14 Sep 2004 8:22 am

Gene

They're a high-profile drug pushing company; I can't drive past one without stopping!

I read somewhere recently that the caffeine content of their coffee was abnormally high - this, and some clever marketing, apparently accounts for their amazing success.

RR[This message was edited by Roger Rettig on 14 September 2004 at 09:26 AM.]

Glenn Suchan · Post by **Glenn Suchan** » 14 Sep 2004 11:26 am

"I read somewhere recently that the caffeine content of their coffee was abnormally high - this, and some clever marketing, apparently accounts for their amazing success."

Roger, I think their price for a "cup o' joe" also contributes to their success.

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn

Michael McGee · Post by **Michael McGee** » 14 Sep 2004 11:33 am

I recently purchased a box set that contains just the 'country' stuff that Ray has recorded over the years. It has been available for quite some time. I simply don't leave home without it. My humble ears cry out 'GENIUS' when I hear Ray's music.

Thanks for the tip, Randy. See you at Bill's?

mm

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 14 Sep 2004 11:43 am

Yes,a VERY pricey coffee shop. A place where you'll pay $2.50 to $3.00 for a cup of coffee with a fancy name.("Cafe Latte" or something like that.)

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<pre> ~ ~
©¿© It don't mean a thang,
mm if it ain't got that twang.
www.ntsga.com</pre>

[This message was edited by Smiley Roberts on 14 September 2004 at 12:49 PM.]

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 14 Sep 2004 12:57 pm

I know most of you guys know this already but, in case there's someone who doesn't, look out for Ray's 1970's album 'The Volcanic Action of My Soul' - it has the odd country-flavoured song, but isn't a country album. Buddy Emmons is on just about every track and the whole thing is wonderful!

If only they'd re-issue this one - it's never been on CD, and I don't believe the tracks are on the compilation mentioned above. Check out Buddy's C6 solo on the blues tune, 'I feel So Bad'....

Glenn Suchan · Post by **Glenn Suchan** » 15 Sep 2004 4:58 am

Roger's right 'bout "Volcanic Action Of My Soul". The album has a decidedly gospel sound to some of the songs. Some songs are a bit over produced (strings etc.) for my liking, but overall it's a good album and the Big E rocks on "Feel So Bad".

BTW: Roger, have those CD's arrived yet? Glad to see hurricane Ivan will spare Naples.

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 15 Sep 2004 7:14 am

Glenn

They just arrived today - many thanks! I'll be playing them to and from the theatre (50 minutes each way) tonight.

Roger

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 15 Sep 2004 7:31 am

Just picked up the CD this morning as I passed a Starbucks and got a cuppa cawfee too. While you CAN pay a lotta money for their fancy coffees (latte, cappucino, etc.), their "house blend" coffee isn't all that expensive, y'know. I think it was, like, $1.40 a cup. Can't do a whole lot better than that in any restaurant or diner around here anyway...

Anyway, lookin' forward to listening to the CD (once I come down from this damn caffeine high)

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 15 Sep 2004 7:37 am

....."They're a high-profile drug pushing company; I can't drive past one without stopping!".....

My question of "What is Starbucks" was factitious....We have heard of them even in Oklahoma, where the Indians will be treated fairly "as long as the wind blows and the river flows"!

I love anything that Ray Charles has ever recorded, and I must have this CD!

www.genejones.com [This message was edited by Gene Jones on 15 September 2004 at 08:42 AM.]

Andy Greatrix · Post by **Andy Greatrix** » 15 Sep 2004 2:35 pm

I have been listening to this CD for a couple of days now, and it is definitely a keeper. I feel he brings the best out in the other singers. Now if only my Paycheck tribute CD will get here.( I had to order it.)

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 15 Sep 2004 7:16 pm

Gene

I intended my reply to be facetious, too! I guess I failed....

I now have the Ray Charles CD, and it's wonderful. How about the arrangement on 'A Very Good Year'!!!? There's lots of great stuff on this one.

By the way - mine came from Walmart at $13.88 plus tax.

RR[This message was edited by Roger Rettig on 15 September 2004 at 08:17 PM.]

Randy Beavers · Post by **Randy Beavers** » 16 Sep 2004 4:54 am

"By the way - mine came from Walmart at $13.88 plus tax."

Wow! "Fourbucks", I mean Starbucks got me again.

To their credit though, this new CD is the only one playing in their stores here. Great promo.

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Randy
http://hometown.aol.com/pulltightb/home.html

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 16 Sep 2004 5:22 am

Roger, it was all in fun...my post appeared to be a legitimate question since I forgot the smiley, and you were kind enough to answer it for me!