Modern Sounds In Country & Western Volume Two - RAY CHARLES*****

You Are My Sunshine/No Letter Today/Someday/Don’t Tell Me Your Troubles/Midnight/Oh Lonesome Me/Take These Chains From My Heart/Your Cheating Heart/I’ll Never Stand In Your Way/Making Believe/Teardrops In My Heart/Hang Your Head In Shame

Following the massive success of Ray Charles’s first album of country songs the speedy appearance of a second volume came as no surprise. Modern Songs In Country & Western Vol. 2 contains the top twenty hit singles You Are My Sunshine, Your Cheating Heart and Take These Chains From My Heart. (US:2 UK:15)

“This record came quickly on the heels of the first Modern Sounds in 1962. It is really a continuation of the first with the same formula of songs and arrangements. Half of them have a big band R & B arrangement and half are arranged with strings and Raelets backing. For my tastes the R & B versions work best while the string arrangements seem a little dated and overly syrupy. However RC's vocals and piano, and the strong songs, make them worth listening to.”

“Typical of many crossover albums back in the late 50s and early 60s, this LP has one side that is targeted for the masses who are used to bland mush and another where the artist gets to be more himself. In this case, the stronger side is Side A, with Ray backed by his big band.”

“Interesting original idea of country covers in a soulful big band or ballad style that is beautiful to listen to. The album contains a great cover of You Are My Sunshine in a duet with Margie Hendrix and a lot of other very good performances.”

“Volume two may not have been much of a surprise, but neither was it a second helping. As with the first volume, Charles finds a directness in country songwriting that matches the expression he developed with the blues.”

“Country music and Charles' career each received a boost from his Modern Sounds albums. Nashville expanded its audience outside its core region, Nashville songwriters found new ears for their songs, and Charles gained an influx of fans who might otherwise have never bought R & B records.”