Here's my assessment of the Ray Charles lp. I've been very interested in starting a RC collection. This lp popped up recently and the price wasn't too bad so I hit "buy". Hearing this lp isn't the Ray most of us think of, at least for me. The song cycle on this lp follows a formula of Ray & Betty duets, then a swinging/jazz number throughout. The sonics are great and the lp sounds better the higher the volume. For me, Betty's voice is very unusual. If I try to describe it, it is the equivalent of a horn with a muffle in it. Somewhat vague to me as to why Ray chose her unless it was partially because he did not want the female to outshine him? I feel a stronger more pure female vocal would have been the better choice. Maybe it was purely because of his off-soundstage sexual appetite? Listening to "Baby It's Cold Outside" here, it's (is kind of interesting, since there's been much hub-bub about it recently) obvious what Ray's intentions are. I'd love to hear this lp through my tube amps at some point.
