::RAY CHARLES::

RAY CHARLES TALKS ABOUT A GENIUS LOVES COMPANY

Q: When and why did you start working on Genius Loves Company?

RC: I've recorded with so many amazing artists in my career, but never on a duets album of my own. I thought it was time to have some of the friends and artists I love come to my studio. There are a lot of people that I have been talking to for years about something like this, but when I got with Concord a year ago, that's when we really started talking about it seriously.

Q: How did you decide which artists you would like to work with?

The choices were so tough. There were so many that I wanted to work with. I tell you, in 50 years in this business, I've met some talented people. I am fortunate that the artists we asked were willing to come record with me in my studio.

Q: Where did you record the CD?

RC: For the most part, it was recorded at my studio in Central Los Angeles; it's where I'm most comfortable. We did venture out to other parts of LA including a Warner Bros sound stage on their movie back lot, where we recorded “It Was A Very Good Year,” and “Hey Girl,” with a 80-piece orchestra.

Q: How did you collaborate with the artists?

RC: It was easy. I told them, “you sing the first verse, I'll sing the second, you sing the third, and so on.” Just kidding! We talked about the arrangements and songs beforehand and rehearsed when we got into the studio. In the end, it was all about the music and how it felt to us at the time. We got into the studio and just worked off each other.

Q: How did you choose which song to record?

RC: All of the songs we picked were classics. Some I had been playing live for years, some were all-time favorites tunes of mine, and others were songs by the artists that I just really liked. All of them were beautiful songs, with real emotion and soulful lyrics. The kind of stuff that you can really dig deep into the meaning for inspiration.

Q: Is there a theme to Genius Loves Company?

RC: It started as a duets project, but as it progressed, it turned into something more. All of these artists are friends of mine, it's been great, man, really great to be able to take these classic songs and get behind them in different ways. It's taken me back to my roots.

Q: How do you think fans will respond to this music on the CD?

RC: This is some good music. I hope the fans love it, but I just gotta do what I do. I make the music and put it out there.

Q: What did you take away from Genius Loves Company?

RC: I relearned the valuable lesson that good friends are irreplaceable. And when you are with your friends, having fun making music, the end result is some great music.

Bonnie Raitt

“I’ve been a devoted fan of Rays since I first heard him as a kid. A family friend gave me a box of all his albums when I was about 12 and he’s been a huge influence on my music. “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind” was one of my favorites from his Country/Western albums and I think singing it as a duet makes it even more powerful. Getting to record with Ray has been a lifelong dream and being part of this project has been one of the proudest and most moving moments in my life.”

Michael McDonald

“To be singing with Ray Charles, two feet away from him live with an orchestra was pretty unbelievable. “Hey Girl” is the ingredient that makes the moment even more special to me because I know how much Ray loves that song.”

Natalie Cole

“I have grown up with Ray Charles’ music and I have always thought of him as the quintessential Soul Man---the flip side of Nat King Cole, if you will. Ray is a musical genius on piano and in voice. The consistency and substance of his work and his career is something for any musical artist to aspire to. His arrangements are always rich, soulful, but elegant, and he knows how to have fun. I am proud to have worked with him on this endeavor.”

Willie Nelson

“A lot of folks want to pay tribute to Ray Charles, and I’m glad a lot of us are getting the opportunity to do that. Ray and I are very good friends and there’s no one any better, as far as I am concerned, at what we do. Recording with Ray was an extraordinary experience. Who would have thought that guys like use would still be out there recording and doing stuff. That’s what makes it special.”

B.B King

“Brother Ray is so good. It was great to have the opportunity to work with long-time friends like him and Billy Preston. We were a sight; three old timers burning through this historic blues track. I cannot express how much it meant to me to sing alongside Ray on one of his hits from his early career.”

Elton John

“When people mention Ray Charles, I just smile. That grin, that voice, his music is so joyous. For this recording, we did one of my songs, “Sorry Seems To Be the Hardest World,” which he had sung at a concert last year. That blew me away that Ray Charles was on stage singing one of my songs. It was amazing to sit in the studio and sing with him. It’s so incredibly impressive to be with someone to which music had meant so much. He had an enormous effect on my career. Anything he put out, I bought. He has one of the greatest voices of all time. So, it was a very emotional experience.”

Johnny Mathis

“I was so nervous to be in the same studio as Ray Charles. He is not just an ordinary singer, musician or icon. He’s the best of the best. “Over the Rainbow” is such a wonderful song and it suited us both so perfectly. I was salivating over the arrangements. Now, I am most excited to see how people react to this whole recording because it is dynamite. They are going to want to have it as a keepsake. What I will take away from it all was the privilege of recording in the same studio as Ray. It was a highlight of my life.”

Norah Jones

“I just love everything about Ray Charles. He could sing any song, and it sounds like Ray Charles and it sounds amazing. There's nothing I could say to do him justice. I love him so much. He as big an influence on me you can get. I couldn't believe that I got to sing with him. It was such an honor.”

Gladys knight

“When recording or performing with Ray I always knew I was in presence of greatness. A true legend in his time and mine; it is always an honor to work with him. I grew up with watching and learning so much from Ray. I am so blessed to have had a mentor such as him to teach me such great things about life and our industry.”

Phil Ramone

“It’s a special privilege to say you’ve recorded with Ray Charles. Being immersed in and around his musicality is always a learning experience. He set the pace for all of us. The time spent with him and our guest artists was challenging, but the result is a joyful, heartfelt album of great music.”

Van Morrison

“Performing the duet ‘Crazy Love’ with Ray Charles was a great pleasure. It was an inspiration to work with someone of such musical genius. Ray is someone that I have admired since I started in music. He is a soul brother in every sense of the word.”