Ray Charles Singers Greatest Hits

In a year noted for Beatlemania, the British Invasion and the rise of Motown there were also a number of really big hits coming more from the world of easy listening. Louis Armstrong, Al Hirt, Barbra Streisand, Dean Martin and The Ray Charles singers all placed songs among the year's Top 20.Most people already knew the ray Charles singers from Perry Como's popular television show. Charles and Como had an association three decades long and it was Perry who first began referring to the singers as "The Ray Charles Singers" on his show. (Originally called The Satisfyers, they sang on commercials for Lipton Tea, Cover Girl and others).The group generally had twenty members, twelve men and eight women. The group was not always the same vocalists but changed personnel frequently with Ray Charles himself being the constant as conductor and arranger. Choral groups were fairly popular in the 50's and early 60's with The Ray Conniff Singers being the most popular with their perky pop sound. Henry Mancini usually included a chorus on at least a couple songs on his albums. They sold lots of albums but rarely had hit singles since the single charts were dominated by teen-oriented songs. Ray Charles developed a soft, close sound for his singers, a nicely counterintuitive move in a field where most choral groups tried for a full-bodied sound. He backed them with a little bass, percussion and a quiet organ letting the voices predominate. It worked really well. As long as you are open to their style (it's very different than anything today) you'll find this disc eminently pleasant and relaxing. Songs like You Are Never Far away From Me (Perry Como's closing song) are like drifting on a cloud. Charles' minimalist approach to the accompaniment and reliance on the voices keep the material from sounding too cute or cloying.The group did some label hopping in the early days without much success. Then they fortunately were signed by Enoch Light's Command label. He had been a popular danceband leader for decades and was well known from radio. What isn't so well known is that he was also an excellent engineer and producer. This was no ordinary label but an early audiophile label with very high recording standards. They made albums for people with excellent stereo systems, not for mono AM radio. He took advantage of every technical advance and recorded on 35mm film instead of tape for a much clearer sound. Therefore the original masters here are far better than anything else of the period. Hit Parade Records is a subdivision of Eric Records, one of the top remastering labels today. They make the Hard to find 45's series and are known for their excellent remastering of retro material. You won't be disappointed here: every track sounds wonderful. The Love Me With all Your Heart disc has been out of print for years and often was listed for very high prices. Take advantage of this disc while iit is around.EXTRA NOTE ABOUT THE TWO RAY CHARLES'S: The Screen Actor's Guild (which actually covers all entertainers) usually won't allow two entertainers or groups to use the same name. The instance of two entertainers named Ray Charles was a rare occurrence. Neither man was actually named Ray Charles with Charles as the last name. The choirmaster here was originally named Charles Raymond Offenberg and began calling himself "Ray Charles" in high school in the 30's after the popular silent film star Charles Ray (who often played farmboys and rustics) and legally adopted the name in 1944. The R&B Ray Charles was originally named Raymond Charles Robinson and after he began performing , registered himself with the SAG as Ray Robinson in the early 50's. He decided to drop the Robinson later on, very likely unaware of the other Ray Charles.

For those who are not acquainted with The Ray Charles Singers, the liner notes to this CD state that the founder of the group was Ray Charles Offenberg, who was from Chicago. My first exposure to their music was their 1964 hit, Love Me With All Your Heart. Back then, top 40 radio had an eclectic format and would mix in music like this with the rock songs that were being played.This vocal group used to appear very often on the Perry Como Show and can be heard on a number of his albums This is vocal choral music that would ordinarily be heard on an adult easy listening station. It's essentially similar to the Ray Coniff Singers or the Doodletown Pipers. It's meant to relax rather than excite. Some may find it boring. But, tastes vary.Although this music is not ordinarily to my tastes, I'll listen to it on occasion. The sound on the CD is just fine. All tracks are stereo. The CD jacket listed the people involved in the sound restoration and every CD I own that has their names on it has excellent fidelity. These tracks were originally on Enoch Light's Command label and Mr. Light was known for producing high fidelity recordings. So, the sound on this CD is excellent with, at least to my ears no audible sound artifacts.The CD insert contains informative liner notes.Highly recommended for those who enjoy choral group music.

This seems to be a compilation of Al-Di La and Song For Young Lovers Albums which I have on Vinyl. I bought Anything on Command or Phase 4 back then as Enoch Light was the master in the recording industry. I always loved the Perry Como sign-off "You Are Never Far Away From Me" and I would have paid the price for that song alone. I got that and quite a few more to go along with it. Ray Charles (not the pop musician by the same name) was a genius in the fields of orchestration and choral accompaniment. Ray Connifff, Ray Charles, and Anita Kerr knew vocalists. Buy this. You won't be disappointed.

An excellent recording of an outstanding choral group. The stereo sound and the mixing of the voice and music is perfect. They have included all my favorites by this group and others I have not heard before. I only wish they could have included their recording of "There, I Said it Again." But, this CD by the Ray Charles Singers is everything I hope for, beautiful, romantic and wonderful music in glorious stereo. I lover it.

nothing to be negative about, great sound and good selection.

I did not it give 5 stars as far some of songs ,we did not care for …. but most we did .Excellent Harmony as they don't create music like this any more .Amazingly , our Grandkids like it . :)

cd had the major songs on it.

Has a lot of songs (28) to enjoy, and more than 75 minutes of good music, the years of chorus and beautiful music, and the golden era of FM radio stations. Enjoy!

Like the reviewer “Senior Swede” as teenager had bought The Beatles” etc but there was Ray Conniff, The sandpipers,New Christieminstrels, Henry Mancini. Boots Randolph,Brazil 66, Bert Kaempfert,Percy Faith, Jackie Gleason,Billy Vaughn etc& like him had Ray Charles singers 2 recordsSaw this and l jumped all over itWould give 5 stars plusJust for the memories. Lizard

Sound and general quality excellent - Ray Charles Singers at their best. Love Me With All of Your Heart - my favourite rendition. Not disappointed with this CD at all.