Ray Charles - Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music, Vols. 1 & 2 / 180 gram vinyl 2LP set

Integration of Soul & Country Music On 180g Double LP.

Regarded by many critics as Ray Charles's best studio albums, Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music Volumes 1 & 2 is a landmark in American music. The album's integration of soul and country music bent racial barriers in popular music, amid the height of the Civil Rights Movement. In the process of recording the album, Charles became one of the first African-American musicians to exercise complete artistic control over his own recording career.

"Ray Charles was an avowed fan of country music and felt he could add something to the rootsy sound that he grew up with. So as his success was heading towards its peak and his power in the industry grew, he took the daring move to record 12 of his favorite country tunes, infusing them with the blues and jazz swing he was already known for and exposing how all these genres were influencing one another through the first half of the 20th century. The hit album and its sequel have been in and out of print since their initial release in 1962, with the most recent pressings arriving last month. And the first volume (the only one we were sent to review) has a nice sheen to it. Bob Fisher's remastering work is subtle, gently turning up the lights on Charles's inimitable vocals and bringing the rhythm section further out of the shadows. The ache of ballads like 'Born To Lose' and 'I Can't Stop Loving You' and the winking joy of 'Bye Bye Love' are still present, protected behind glass. Fisher just gives it once over with a fine chamois." - Paste Magazine