Bobby's wonderful tribute to the great Ray Charles
Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 04/09/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Bobby Darin Sings Ray Charles shows that Bobby Darin could take a song made famous by the great Ray Charles and do it up right in a way that surely would have made Ray Charles proud! Bobby had a very natural gift for being able to deliver a song with the best of them; and it shows through so clearly on this album. The quality of the sound is excellent and I like that artwork as well.
The CD starts with Bobby Darin singing "What'd I Say." "What'd I Say" sounds terrific and Bobby infuses this with a great deal of energy. The musical accompaniment makes good use of the guitars, the drums and even the percussion; but they never steal the show away from Bobby--he's standing front and center, right where he always belonged! I love it. "I Got A Woman" was a huge hit for Ray; and when Bobby Darin sings this he does great justice to Ray Charles' ballad. Bobby sways brightly as he delivers this ballad with all his heart and soul; and this was precisely what made Bobby's audiences adore him so much.
"Tell Me How Do You Feel" has a nice flavor to it that I really like; and Bobby never lets go of a superfluous note! Bobby does this with panache and those backup female vocalists come in at just the right times to enhance the ballad instead of making it sound too florid. "Tell Me How Do You Feel" works very well in Bobby's capable hands; and it's a highlight of this fine album. In addition, "The Right Time" was always one of my very favorite Ray Charles tunes; Ray could sing this REALLY well and Bobby's rendition is just about as good--but in its own way. Bobby plays with the tempo and the key changes just ever so slightly to put his own stamp on this excellent musical number. It works well, too!
"Hallelujah I Love Her So" features Bobby covering yet another major hit by the immortal Ray Charles; Bobby sings this faultlessly. Bobby's ability to cover a tune really shows up very clearly when he sings songs like this one; and listen for "Leave My Woman Alone (aka Leave My Man Alone)." This outstanding number has Bobby squarely in the spotlight and it all holds its own very well. How's about that brass?
"Ain't That Love" has a beautiful musical arrangement that complements Bobby Darin's vocals perfectly; and there's also "Drown In My Own Tears" with Bobby singing this most passionately. The album also ends well with Bobby Darin performing "That's Enough." "That's Enough" has an excellent beat and Bobby delivers this like the pro he always was and still remains in my heart!
Bobby Darin fans will certainly want this for their collections; and some Ray Charles fans may want this album, too. Bobby doesn't let us down on this CD; and I highly recommend it.
"
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1