Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music – A Boundary-Shattering Masterstroke
Ray Charles took a genre many saw as segregated—country music—and infused it with soul, blues, jazz, and orchestral arrangements. The gamble shocked the industry and produced one of the greatest crossover albums in history.
Songs
“I Can’t Stop Loving You” became a cultural phenomenon.
“You Don’t Know Me” remains one of the most heartbreaking recordings ever made.
The album blends lush strings with big-band fire.
Impact
It broke racial and genre barriers and expanded the definition of American music.