I dedicate my Celtic letter “R” today to Ray Charles, a consummate musician. Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and composer. Among friends and fellow musicians he preferred being called “Brother Ray”. He was often referred to as “The Genius”. Charles started losing his vision at the age of 5, and by 7 he was blind.

Genius + Soul = Jazz is a 1961 album by Ray Charles featuring big band arrangements by Quincy Jones and Ralph Burns. Charles is accompanied by two groups drawn from members of The Count Basie Band and from the ranks of top New York session players. The album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2011.

I listened to disc 1 of the 2-disc set.  “I’ve Got News for You” is the only song on it (except for minor background vocals on one or two others) that has Ray singing. The rest of this disc is unbelievably good jazz instrumental music.  I’m not sure is bebop is a subcategory of jazz or not, but this stuff jumps.  I can’t wait to hear what disc 2 brings.

Personnel for the track I chose:
Clark Terry, Phillip Guilbeau, Thad Jones, Joe Newman, Snooky Young (trumpet) Urbie Green, Henry Coker, Al Grey, Benny Powell (trombone) Marshall Royal, Frank Wess (alto saxophone) Frank Foster, Billy Mitchell (tenor saxophone) Charlie Fowlkes (baritone saxophone) Freddie Green (guitar) Eddie Jones (bass) Sonny Payne (drums)

“I’ve Got News for You” was written by Roy Alfred and arranged by Ralph Burns. Roy Alfred (May 14, 1916 – 2008) was an American Tin Pan Alley lyricist whose successful songs included “The Hucklebuck”, “Rock and Roll Waltz”, “Who Can Explain?”, and “Let’s Lock the Door (And Throw Away the Key)”.

You said before me met
That your life was awful tame
Well, I took you to a night club
And the whole band knew your name Oh
Well, baby, baby, baby

I’ve got news for you
Oh, somehow your story don’t ring true
Well, I’ve got news for you

Well, you phoned me you’d be late
‘Cause you took the wrong express
And then you walked in smiling
With your lipstick all a mess
Oh, let me say to you little mama

Wo, I’ve got news for you
Ah, your story don’t ring true lil’ girl
Yeah, I’ve got news for you

Oh, you wore a diamond watch
Claimed it was from Uncle Joe
When I looked at the inscription
It said love from Daddy-O
Oh, well baby, wo lil’ girl, I wanna say

I’ve got news for you
Ah, if you think that jive will do
Let me tell you, oh

I’ve got news for you
Well, somehow your story don’t ring true
Wo, I’ve got news for you