February 11th, 2025
Ray Charles’ ‘Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music’: Sorry, Stick With The Original DYNAMIC COMPRESSION DOES NO FAVORS FOR THE GRAMMY HALL OF FAME-WINNING CLASSICBy: Morgan Enos
As a record, Ray Charles’ Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music holds up just fine. But as an idea? It may be one of the most beautiful we ever had.The story is a familiar one, as far the American musical mythos is concerned: Back in 1962, at the flashpoint of the civil rights movement, Charles recorded 12 standbys originally by Hank Williams (“You Win Again,” “Hey, Good Lookin’,”) Don Gibson (“I Can’t Stop Loving You”), and other luminaries of the tradition.Six... Read More
