The Genius Sings

The Genius Sings the Blues is a vital chapter in Ray Charles' Atlantic years. Released in October 1961 on Atlantic Records, it was his final release for the label, gathering twelve blues recordings from different sessions across his time there.

What makes this compilation land so well is how clearly it shows Charles' artistic range taking shape. There is piano blues, jazz, and southern R&B all working together, with Ray Charles moving effortlessly between raw, wailing performances and sharper, more driving arrangements.

The set stretches from his first Atlantic session, The Midnight Hour, through to his last, I Believe to My Soul. Along the way, you get the full sweep of his blues approach, from the emotional pull of Hard Times and Night Time Is the Right Time to the uptempo country blues feel of I'm Movin' On and Early in the Mornin'.

Originally put together as a straightforward cash-in LP after Charles' split from Atlantic, The Genius Sings the Blues ended up becoming one of his best-known compilations. The album cover photo was taken by renowned photographer Lee Friedlander, which feels fitting for a record that captures so much of Ray Charles' innovation in one place.