Ray Charles recorded “Genius Loves Company” shortly before he died. Each duet gives the promise of classic. Ray writes in the notes, “I thought it was time to have some of the friends that I love and artists that I admire come into my studio and sang with me live, the way we did in the old days.” Many of his favorites are also mine. He does “Crazy Love” with Van Morrison, “Heaven Help Us All with Gladys Knight, “Sinner’s Prayer” with B. B. King, “You Don’t Know Me” with Dianna Krall, “Here We Go Again” with Norah Jones, “Do I Ever cross Your Mind” with Bonnie Raitt. There are also some unexpected duets like “Over the Rainbow” with Johnny Mathis, “Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word” with Elton John, “Fever” with Natalie Cole, and “Sweet Potatoe Pie” with James Taylor.
Ray Charles was my main musical idol growing up and I am pleased to see this final work became available August 31.
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