New reissues of classic albums coming this fall
Ray Charles changed the way the world perceived country music. Charles’ own Tangerine Records is proud to announce five newly remastered albums – four classic titles, and a new entry into the Ray Charles canon – that remind us of his influence in breaking down musical and genre boundaries with these seminal works.
Listeners can hear the roots of today’s country renaissance in these timeless recordings, beginning with the game-changing 1962 albums Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music and Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music Vol. 2, available this Friday, September 27th. These will be followed by 1965’s Country & Western Meets Rhythm & Blues and 1966’s Crying Time on October 18th, marking the first time these two rare albums will be available on vinyl since their original pressing. On November 15, a new compilation album titled Best of Country & Western will be released, featuring highlights from across Charles’ country music recordings. All will be available on vinyl, CD, and all streaming platforms.
The series showcases Charles’ unparalleled interpretations of country classics and serves as a timely reminder of his role as a cultural pioneer who helped bridge racial divides through the universal language of music.
Originally released in 1962, the groundbreaking Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music changed the course of popular music and led Willie Nelson to remark, “Ray Charles did more for country music than any other artist.” It quickly became the best-selling of all country albums. This first installment spawned four hit singles, including the #1 Billboard Hot 100 smash “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” which won Best Rhythm & Blues Recording at the fifth annual Grammy Awards. Charles remains the first and only artist to earn a Grammy Award and a No. 1 Billboard pop chart hit with a country song. Volume 2 followed its predecessor that same year and received similar critical acclaim and commercial success, featuring three hit singles including the classic, “You Are My Sunshine.”
The success of the Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music albums paved the way for Charles’ creative freedom as an artist. In 1965, he continued to show his deep affinity for country music with Country & Western Meets Rhythm & Blues, a.k.a. Together Again, which features his unforgettable version of the Buck Owens staple “Together Again.” This album is also distinctive as the first Charles recorded in his own RPM International recording studio.
On 1966’s Crying Time album, Charles delivers the definitive version of that Buck Owens classic, which won the Grammy for Best Rhythm & Blues Solo Vocal Performance Male, and Charles was recognized as Producer of Best Rhythm & Blues Recording by The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. As if that weren’t enough, the album also boasts Charles’ No. 1 R&B Billboard smash “Let’s Go Get Stoned.”
The new Best Of Country & Western album features a tracklist of iconic songs hand-picked to tell the story of Charles’ impact on the genre. With thoughtful attention to detail, this collection showcases Ray’s unparalleled interpretations of country classics.
Ray Charles’ recordings are major landmarks in American culture. By blending country and roots with other popular sounds, this legendary singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer brought his expansive musical vision to a worldwide audience. Charles’ albums, released during the heart of the Civil Rights Movement, broke down both racial and genre barriers. He continued to do something no other artist had done before or since, conquering all genres of music, from gospel and R&B to soul, country, jazz, blues, pop, and beyond.
Dubbed by Frank Sinatra as the only “True Genius” in music, Charles’ staggering achievements over a 58-year career include 17 Grammy Awards; induction into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Country Music Hall of Fame; a Lifetime Achievement and the President’s Merit Award from The Recording Academy; the Presidential Medal for the Arts; France’s Legion of Honor; the Kennedy Center Honors; the NAACP Image Awards’ Hall of Fame Award; and numerous other music Halls of Fame, including those for Jazz and Rhythm & Blues, all testament to his enormous influence.
