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Rating: "It is exactly 5:00 PM, the sky is dark outside, the temperature is low, and the only thing I can see from the window is a leafless tree. The rain is pouring down while the wind blows the plants on the balcony back and forth. I'm drinking yet another cup of chocolate and my mood is in the dumps. I start browsing through my father's CDs and find 'The best of Ray Charles', I put it in the stereo and start listening to it."
"I've got a woman": it is a very carefree track, it lifts my spirits a bit. Those background trumpets add an extra touch of cheerfulness to this sad day. The lyrics, if I'm not mistaken, say 'I've got a woman and she gives me money when I need it', and lucky you, Ray. I wish I could find a woman like that. I must say that this song brings a smile to my face. Unfortunately, the song lasts less than 3 minutes.
"I down the third cup of chocolate and turn off the lights to create more atmosphere. This musical harmony manages to detach me from the usual hard daily routine. The phone rings, I have no idea who it could be, maybe it's my friend calling to invite me over to his place to play, but I don't feel like answering. Today, I don't want to be available for anyone, and in the meantime, the second song begins..."
"A Fool For You": damn, I love this music so much it relaxes me to no end. How sweet this song is, everything seems superfluous now. I'm focused on that undulating series of notes that captivate my mind. I understand why they call Ray Charles "The Genius." I want to close my eyes and rest, an extremely relaxing song, unfortunately, this song also ends.
"I look at the CD cover for a bit, now there should be a song called 'Drown My Tears'. Meanwhile, I start to look at her pictures, she's really cute, and this music manages to make everything sweeter. Please, I don't want all of this to end. What started as a rainy day is turning into a relaxing day written just for me. In fact, I don't want to be disturbed by anyone, and I even unplug the phone."
"Drown My Tears": dry my tears, yes dry my tears. Finding someone who dries your tears in life must be wonderful, always having someone who says 'don't worry, I'm here' would be a miracle, as is this song: sweet and slow, the trumpets speak to me gently and put me in a deep state of harmony, a very well-paced and very particular song. Guys, the rain doesn't stop pouring, I'll need Ray Charles a lot today."
"So now 'Hallelujah I Love Her So' starts, speaking of Love my phone is ringing, I forgot to turn it off. It's her, I won't answer tonight, I want to be consistent, tonight I want to be just for me. I know we'll argue tomorrow, but I let the phone ring, no more chocolate, I'm going to make myself a hot coffee while 'Hallelujah I Love Her So' plays."
"Hallelujah I Love Her So": this song is very joyful and happy, Ray's playful side comes out, a cheerful and carefree song that makes me immediately forget that I didn't answer her call. It seems like Ray wants to laugh and have fun, this series of cheerful notes accompanies each other arm in arm until they are lost in my eardrums, a truly beautiful song that clashes with the gloomy sky outside. Phew, let's hope the weather isn't like this tomorrow as well."
"Here is my steaming coffee, ah the aroma of coffee... delicious, here comes another song, let's see this time what dreamy dimension Ray Charles's genius will take me to."
"(Night Time) The Right Time": what a beautiful song, these female choruses are very relaxing, and then the atmosphere created by trumpets and percussion makes me think of a 40s nightclub. I believe the combination of Ray Charles and a good coffee is the best one can do on a rainy day, another wonderful song, it's my first time listening to Ray Charles, and I'm being blown away, let's move on."
"Outside, the cars rush frantically in the traffic, and I, in the face of all those who rush and hurry taken by routine, too immersed in their affairs to stop for a moment and admire this wonderful world, I feel 'What'd I Say'"
"What'd I Say": damn it, this song with its fast and cheerful drum rhythm makes me think of traffic, and the piano reminds me of the 'plin plin' of raindrops. This song is a perfect picture of what's happening tonight on the streets, very beautiful and truly exceptional. I think I'll lean out the window finishing sipping this delicious coffee that's almost gone."
"I decide to give my stomach a break from drinking one beverage after another. I stop to think about everything happening to me these days, I start thinking about her, about my band, and caught up in this torment of thoughts, I don't realize it has become completely dark"
"Sticks and Stones": this song starts very quickly, new harmonies and new emotions pervade me, the piano manages to perform small musical miracles, and these female choirs are truly beautiful and heavenly. Now the only light in the room is what comes from outside, one couldn't wish for a better atmosphere.
"But I know this one, it's 'Georgia On My Mind', apologies, but here, influenced by this magic and this pathos, I have to stop to look at her eyes in this photo, what a beautiful girl and what harmonies of sounds with this song, today only I in the city am living this magic"
"Georgia On My Mind": simply celestial, a song that needs no comments, Ray's masterpiece
"Angel wings surround me now while an intoxicating and subtle scent captivates me, I close my eyes and enjoy 'Hit The Road Jack'.
"Hit The Road Jack": damn, what a song, it's beautiful, pure blues, those choirs then captivate me, beautiful, I want to listen to it again, oh God, but it is truly beautiful, the winds manage to create a New York bar atmosphere from the late 40s, and the atmosphere now illuminates everything with a dark blue."
"I sit for a moment and fixate on an empty point in the room, what a special period, I've met a wonderful girl, I'm on perfect terms with my family, school is going well, to think that until October my life was something pathetic and now everything is so beautiful, it's about to start 'Unchain My Heart', I've heard it in Joe Cocker's version, but I'm curious to hear it sung by Ray"
"Unchain My Heart": I bow to the genius of Soul and Blues Ray Charles, what heavenly harmonies and sounds, this sax and these trumpets that provide me a cloud to sit on and enjoy this yet another wonder, I'm sorry this song must end because it is poetry in music."
"The wind has calmed, but the tree in front of me continues to sway under the last spirals of breeze while Jim Morrison looks at me dreamily from the poster, the rain has flooded the entire street, but I'm too busy dreaming now to think about the fact that tomorrow morning the garage will be flooded along with my entire drum set"
"I Can't Stop Loving You": I can't stop loving you, I haven't said this phrase to her yet, I write it down on a slip of paper and listen to this wonderful song. If I'm not mistaken, it was included in a commercial, anyway, it's beautiful, it enlightens my mind, these notes merge together forming one big light, I enlighten myself immensely (I don't recall who wrote this poetry), what a beautiful song with these so seraphic choirs, very beautiful, I must remember to download it to mp3."
"Unfortunately, only 4 songs are left till the end, this dream is about to end, a note on the computer reminds me I need to buy new parts for my Fender Stratocaster tomorrow, and that in a few days I'll have my chemistry exam, damn routine follows me everywhere, but luckily there's my Ray to relax me"
"You're My Sunshine": the harmonious series of notes produced by Mr. Charles instantly enters my ears and is perfect, in this case as well it is a sensation of light that opens my mind, how beautiful, one of the best of the whole collection, now yes, I close my eyes for a moment and relax."
"Guys, I am so tired, I open the black shirt I bought some time ago, it's 7:00; I should have gone to William's house to play by now, but I don't care, this CD is about to end and I don't want to miss a single song, I'm too happy"
"Busted": oh, here the trumpets begin to sound wonderful notes, the drums blend with all the music, the song is catchy and enchanting, I'm really liking it, it too is very carefree and doesn't suit this rainy day, what a show, what a beautiful song."
"How long has it been since I read a book? Perhaps months, it's time then to start one right away, I've always been curious about 'Tolkien', now I almost start reading it and while browsing the yellow pages, a new harmonious musical poem begins"
"Let's Go Get Stoned": again, there's not much to say, what a beautiful track, it sounds like an anthem to life with its clear and limpid sounds, then there's a female voice with Ray that sings beautifully. I lie down on the little couch and start losing myself again in my beloved dreamscapes."
"I start formulating philosophical questions in my head like, who are we? Why do we live? But in the end, I realize that even if I had the answers, it wouldn’t change a damn thing, and life would go on normally, the last song is about to end the dream"
"Seven Spanish Angels": a beautiful guitar intro introduces me to the last track of the CD, a song that doesn't decline in the least, a grandiose album, a song with country and very folk tones, I enjoy it to the last note."
"The dream is over, the magician has finished, I reconnect the phones, button up my shirt, and smile happily having enjoyed all of this."
I apologize to DeBaser if the review is not to your liking, but I preferred to tell the story of a Ray Charles album this way, considering it completely redundant to state how beautiful his songs are and how great Ray is. I recounted a snippet of my day and also included my small thought on a beautiful album. I hope you like it. Greetings to everyone and W Ray Charles
Tracklist and Lyrics
01 Hit the Road Jack (01:57)
(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.)
(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more.)
What you say?
(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.)
(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more.)
Woah Woman, oh woman, don't treat me so mean,
You're the meanest old woman that I've ever seen.
I guess if you said so
I'd have to pack my things and go. (That's right)
(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.)
(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more.)
What you say?
(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.)
(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more.)
Now baby, listen baby, don't ya treat me this-a way
Cause I'll be back on my feet some day.
(Don't care if you do 'cause it's understood)
(you ain't got no money and you just ain't no good
Well, I guess if you say so
I'd have to pack my things and go. (That's right)
(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.)
(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more.)
What you say?
(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.)
(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more.)
Well
(don't you come back no more.)
Uh, what you say?
(don't you come back no more.)
I didn't understand you
(don't you come back no more.)
You can't mean that
(don't you come back no more.)
Oh, now baby, please
(don't you come back no more.)
What you tryin' to do to me?
(don't you come back no more.)
Oh, don't treat me like that
(don't you come back no more.)
02 Georgia on My Mind (03:37)
Georgia, Georgia,
The whole day through
Just an old sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind
I'm say Georgia
Georgia
A song of you
Comes as sweet and clear
As moonlight through the pines
Other arms reach out to me
Other eyes smile tenderly
Still in peaceful dreams I see
The road leads back to you
I said Georgia,
Ooh Georgia, no peace I find
Just an old sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind
Other arms reach out to me
Other eyes smile tenderly
Still in peaceful dreams I see
The road leads back to you
Georgia,
Georgia,
No peace, no peace I find
Just this old, sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind
I said just an old sweet song,
Keeps Georgia on my mind
04 Here We Go Again (03:18)
Here we go again
She's back in town again
I'll take her back again
One more time
Here we go again
The phone will ring again
I'll be her fool again
One more time
I've been there before
And I'll try it again
But any fool knows
That there's no way to win
Here we go again
She'll break my heart again
I'll play the part again
One more time
05 Busted (02:09)
My bills are all due and the baby needs shoes and I'm busted
Cotton is down to a quarter a pound, but I'm busted
I got a cow that went dry and a hen that won't lay
A big stack of bills that gets bigger each day
The county's gonna haul my belongings away cause I'm busted.
I went to my brother to ask for a loan cause I was busted
I hate to beg like a dog without his bone, but I'm busted
My brother said there ain't a thing I can do,
My wife and my kids are all down with the flu,
And I was just thinking about calling on you 'cause I'm busted.
Well, I am no thief, but a man can go wrong when he's busted
The food that we canned last summer is gone and I'm busted
The fields are all bare and the cotton won't grow,
Me and my family got to pack up and go,
But I'll make a living, just where I don't know cause I'm busted.
I'm broke, no bread, I mean like nothing, It's over
08 You Don't Know Me (03:17)
You give your hand to me
And then you say hello
I can hardly speak
My heart is beating so
And anyone can tell
You think you know me well
But you don't know me
Oh you don't know the one
That thinks of you at night
Who longs to kiss your lips
And yearns to hold you tight
No I'm just a friend
That's all I've ever been
You just don't know me
I never knew the art of making love
Though my heart aches with love for you
Afraid and shy, I let my chance go by
The chance that you might love me too
You give your hand to me
And then you say goodbye
I watch you walk away
Beside the lucky guy
You'll never, never know
The one who loves you so
Cuz you don't know me
I never knew the art of making love
Though my heart aches with love for you
Afraid and shy, I let my chance go by
The chance that you might love me too
You give your hand to me
And then you say goodbye
I watch you walk away
Beside the lucky guy
Oh who'll never know
The one who loves you so
You just don't know me
You'll never, ever know
Cause you don't know me
No
10 Ruby (03:53)
They say, Ruby you're like a dream
Not always what you seem
And though my heart may break when I awake
Let it be so, I only know
Ruby, it's you
They say, Ruby you're like a song
You just don't know right from wrong
And in your eyes I see heartaches for me
Right from the start, who stole my heart?
Ruby, it's you
I hear your voice and I must come to you (must come to you)
I have no choice, so what else can I do ? (what else can I do?)
They say, Ruby you're like a flame
Into my life you came
And though I should beware, still I just don't care
You thrill me so, I only know
Ruby, it's you
(I hear your voice and I must come to you)
(I have no choice, what else can I do ?-what can I do?)
They say, Ruby you're like a flame
Into my life you came
And though I should beware, still I don't care
You thrill me so, I only know
Ruby, it's you
11 Born to Lose (03:16)
Born to lose, I've lived my life in vain
Every dream has only brought me pain
All my life I've always been so blue
Born to lose and now I'm losing you.
Born to lose, it seems so hard to bear
When I wake, and find that you're not there
You've grown tired and now you say we're through
Born to lose and now I'm losing you.
(instrumental break)
Born to lose, I've lived my life in vain
Every dream has only brought me pain
All my life I've always been so blue
Born to lose and now I'm losing you.
Born to lose and now I'm losing you.
15 Smack Dab in the Middle (03:19)
Pick me a town
In any clime
Where people like
A rockin time
And stay awake
Both day and night
Till everybody's feelin good an' right
Then throw me
(Smack dab in the middle)
I wanna be
(Smack dab in the middle)
Ahhhhh, smack dab in the middle, boys now
So I can rock and roll to satisfy my soul
Ten Cadillacs
A diamond mill
Ten suits of clothes
To dress to kill
A ten room house
Some Bar B Q
And fifty chicks not over twenty-two
Then throw me
(Smack dab in the middle)
Oh, I wanna be
(Smack dab in the middle)
Ahhhhh, now boys you can see why I wanna be smack dab in the middle now
So I can rock and roll to satisfy my soul
One hundred beds
with chorus girls
A street that's paved
with natural pearls
a wagon load
of bonds and stocks
Then open up the door at Fort Knox
Then throw me
(Smack dab in the middle)
I wanna be
(Smack dab in the middle)
Ahhhhh, now listen boys throw me smack dab in the middle right now
So Ray can rock and roll to satisfy his soul
That's all right!
(bridge)
A lot of bread and gangs of meat
Oodles of butter and somethin sweet
Gallons of coffee to wash it down
Bicarbonated soda by the pound
Then throw me
(Smack dab in the middle)
I picture it
(Smack dab in the middle)
Ahhhhh, throw me now, smack dab in the middle right now
So I can rock and roll to satisfy my soul
Alright!
16 One Mint Julep (03:08)
written by Rudy Toombs
One early morning, as I was walking
I met a woman, we started talking
I took her home, to get a few nips
But all I had was a mint julep
I don’t remember just how I started
I only know that we should have parted
I stole a kiss, and then another
I didn’t mean to take it further
One mint julep was the cause of it all
The lights were burning low, there in the parlor
When through the kitchen door, up popped her father
He said “I saw you when you kissed my daughter
Better wed her right now, or face a slaughter!�?
I didn’t know just what I was doing
I had to marry or face ruin
A mint julep, a mint julep
A mint julep, a mint julep
One mint julep was the cause of it all
Now, I don’t want to bore you with my troubles
But from now on I’ll be thinking double
I’m through with flirting and drinking whiskey
I got six extra children from a-getting frisky
A mint julep, a mint julep
A mint julep, a mint julep
One mint julep was the cause of it all
18 I Can't Stop Loving You (04:11)
I can't stop loving you
I've made up my mind
To live in memories
All the lonesome time
I can't stop wanting you
It's useless to say
So I'll just live my life
In dreams of yesterdays (dreams of yesterdays)
Those happy hours
That we once knew
Though long ago
They still make me blue
They say that time
Heals a broken heart
But time has stood still
Since we've been apart
I can't stop loving you
I've made up my mind
To live in memories
All the lonesome time
I can't stop wanting you
It's useless to say
So I'll just live my live
In dreams of yesterdays
Those happy hours (Those happy hours)
That we once knew (That we once knew)
Though long ago (Though long ago)
Still make me blue (Still make me blue)
They say that time (They say that time)
Heals a broken heart (Heals a broken heart)
But time has stood still (Time has stood still)
Since we've been apart (Since we've been apart)
I can't stop loving you
I said I've made up my mind
To live in memories
All the lonesome time (Sing the song, children)
I can't stop wanting you
It's useless to say
So I'll just live my life
Of dreams of yesterdays
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