#127 Ray Charles, 'Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music' (1962)

Previously #105

After practically inventing Soul music, Ray Charles, a Southerner from Georgia, sought to explore another Southern genre, which was traditionally white; Country and Western. Following his success in the ‘50s with Soul (see #210), Charles managed to negotiate creative control on his records. When he announced his intention to record a Country record, he was derided by his peers and label execs, however on its release, the album became one of the best-selling albums by a black artist to date. It sold half a million records in its first three months, thanks to its appeal to both black and white markets.

The album helped smash racial boundaries, seeing white fans attending his gigs, an uncommon feat at the time, especially in Southern America. Charles contributed to the ongoing Civil Rights Movement at the time. Billy Joel summed it up perfectly, "here is a black man giving you the whitest possible music in the blackest possible way, while all hell is breaking loose with the civil rights movement." ‘I Can’t Stop Loving You’ earned Charles a Grammy for Best Rhythm and Blues Recording, while the album received a nomination for Album Of The Year. On this record, Charles interprets the sexiest and best version of ‘You Are My Sunshine.’ Other highlights include ‘Bye Bye Love,’ ‘You Don’t Know Me’ and ‘Born To Lose.’ Charles also gives us versions of the Hank Williams songs ‘You Win Again,’ ‘Hey, Good Lookin’ and ‘Your Cheating Heart.’ The album became Charles’s best-selling album of his career, cementing his genius.

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