#61: Ray Charles - Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music (1962)

Instead of switching off between albums that I choose and records from, '1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die' I've been listening to them in succession  They've just been so good and when I see Ray Charles and Bill Evans on the list - it's just hard to say no when they're next on the docket.

You Don't Know Me
This is a classic Charles song. He's just got that voice, and when he sings, "I'm just a friend, that's all I've ever been. Cause you don't know me" it just makes you feel for the guy. Timeless. I don't know if there's a better word for it and maybe it's overused but this doesn't sound dated to me.

Half as Much
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. This is exactly what I'm looking for. It's a beautiful love song with witty lyrics, soulful vocals, and excellent instrumentation. The more I listen to Ray the more I fall in love with him. I never thought I could enjoy another artist as much as I do the Beatles. While it's impossible to compare the two - I think Ray is the closest I'll ever get. Why did I wait this long to start listening working through his catalogue?

Careless Love
It feels like there's just as many musicians that have been inspired by this as there are that inspired this. It's Ray at his best, he doesn't do anything (on paper) that's awe inspiring, but then when you put it together it's the most amazing sound. The instrumentation is simple, yet incredible. I don't know if this music is forcing me to sway or if it's this beach house on stilts. It's funny to hear the embellishment at 1:15 and then listen to John Mayer's 'Gravity' at 2:48. Obviously, Mayer didn't copy it  - I'm just making the point that Ray Charles' legacy still has a very, very wide reach all these years later.

All in all, Ray just doesn't get enough credit. The man is an undisputed genius. When people discuss the absolute greats his name doesn't come up enough. Especially when you consider the varying cast of musicians releasing albums at the same time as this, he makes everything seem like child's play. The man is untouchable. I enjoyed the previous Ray Charles album a bit more, but that shouldn't take away from how good this is.

Tomorrow's album: Jamie Cullum's The Pursuit.

#19: Thelonious Monk - Brilliant Corners (1957)

Thelonious Monk is the second-most recorded jazz composer of all time. He's not only a giant in the jazz world but in American music. Because of the limited amount of tracks on the album, I've decided to discuss it more as a whole than as the sum of it's parts.

Is it youth? Is it social media and electronics? What makes jazz harder for me to listen to the older I get? If I listen to this album with the idea of re-recording a solo or mimicking his improvisational technique it's much more approachable. My favorite track on the album was 'I Surrender, My Dear' which is all piano. There's no doubting the man's excellence on the instrument.





I think the idea of listening to jazz is much like a fine wine. Unless you have the pallet for it and are willing to consistently work to improve it, then it's a skill that will quickly diminish until all you can say is, "it sounds good." Really, that's all I'm left with. It sounds good. It sounds really good. If I were to take the time to understand the chord structures and the voicings that he is making I'm sure I'd be able to appreciate this album much more.

All in all, it's another very influential jazz album in it's time. While the complexities of the album are abundant, it's not jazz that's easily listenable by the average pop music fan. The solos are very complete and intricate but there's no hummable tune throughout the record.

This album was chosen from the book '1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die' 10/1001

Tomorrow's album: The White Stripes' Get Behind Me Satan.