Sings Ray Charles

Released in March of 1962, Bobby Darin Sings Ray Charles was his second-to-last for Atco. The tribute to one of the musicians who had most influenced him included 11 solid covers. The album peaked at number 96 and stayed on Billboard's charts for 11 weeks. The opening song, "What'd I Say," earned Darin a Grammy nomination for Best Rhythm and Blues Recording. In addition to the rocking "What'd I Say," standouts include the swinging testament to love, "I Got a Woman," "Ain't That Love," and "Hallelujah I Love Her So." The original liner note to Bobby Darin Sings Ray Charles declares that "from the first plangent phrases by Darin, you realize that this will be no Broadway blues pastiche, no Waldorf-Astoria silk blouse folk-music." This album highlights both the depths of Darin's talents and the depth of his love for rhythm and blues. In fact, Darin once said, "I'm proud to say that I was on the Ray Charles bandwagon when it was jut a baby carriage. In fact, two singers -- Fats Domino and Ray Charles -- opened up my ears to a whole new world, different from anything I'd heard until then. They both became major influences when I realized these are the roots." A listener can debate if these covers are as good as the originals (could they be?) but not the authenticity that jumps off the turntable. All of the small details are here: the simple beauty of Jimmy Haskell's arrangements, the sax solos by Plas Johnson and Nnino Tempo, and even the backup vocals of the Blossoms, who were the mid-1950s version of the Raylettes. Eight of the 11 songs are Charles originals, and all are from his early career, before he evolved from the blues to the Tin Pan Alley sounds. Darin, reflecting on Bobby Darin Sings Ray Charles, said "Making this album was one of the biggest kicks of my life." With one listen to this you will feel the same. ~ JT Griffith|