Impulse!, 1961
Here, the irrepressible Ray Charles breathes life into a selection of blues, soul and jazz standards by himself and others, with barnstorming Big Band arrangements by Quincy Jones and Ralph Burns. The Big Band sound is as authentic as it gets, thanks to a band that includes most of Count Basie’s sidemen at the time, drawing on the talents of major horn players such as Thad Jones and Clark Terry. But it’s Ray Charles who provides the real magic, singing with effortless soul and turning in some very tasty organ solos. Genius indeed.
Tracklist:
Side A:
From The Heart
I've Got News For You
Moanin'
Let's Go
One Mint Julep
Side B:
I'm Gonna Move To the Outskirts of Town
Stompin' Room Only
Mister C
Strike Up the Band
Birth of the Blues
