28 Albums From Ray Charles’ Iconic Catalog Are Released Digitally for First Time Ever
April 8, 2009 | Author: OfficiallyHipHop
Fans of Ray Charles finally have the opportunity to purchase his post-1960 music catalog digitally for the first time ever. Starting April 7th, iTunes will hold a two-week exclusive on the cherished catalog, after which time it will be offered at all digital music outlets. The highly requested catalog, that until this point has remained unavailable digitally, includes iconic recordings such as “Georgia On My Mind”, “Busted” and “Hit the Road Jack.”
The move follows Concord Music Group’s recent announcement that it has entered into an exclusive arrangement with the Ray Charles Foundation to develop the artist’s post-1960 catalog. On April 7th, Concord Records also released a 21-song anthology of hits titled Ray Charles — Genius: The Ultimate Ray Charles Collection. All songs have been digitally remastered from the original tapes.
Ray Charles — Genius: The Ultimate Ray Charles Collection chronicles the high points in Charles’ catalog. As noted jazz writer Don Heckman writes in his liner notes, “The first feeling that comes to mind after even a short glance at the titles included here is a sense of wonder. The diversity of the material is impressive in its own right.”
The album contains 21 of Charles’ biggest hits, each within its own unique history and meaning. Genius: The Ultimate Ray Charles Collection will be packaged in a handsome embossed digipack and presented with a 24-page collectors’ book of rare photos and notes.
Concord will release several other Ray Charles reissues this year including Modern Sounds in Country & Western Music, Volumes 1 & 2, The Genius Hits the Road, A Message From the People and Genius + Soul = Jazz & More.
Genius: The Ultimate Ray Charles Collection can be found on Amazon here and iTunes here.
