What'd I Say

About

Released in 1959, <i>What’d I Say</i> brings together singles and forgotten B-sides from Ray Charles’ electric 1950s run—and marks the dawn of the singer’s crossover era. By the late 1950, Charles’ unforced groove and instantly recognizable voice had coalesced into a seductive signature sound, but full-on pop stardom had eluded him. That would change with “What’d I Say,” a simmering, salacious track that’s carried by a jangling, Latin-tinged groove and a spicy call-and-response. A sensation on stage, “What’d I Say” retains its bright, live energy in its studio version—which became a smash on the US chart, and remains one of Charles’ most beloved hit. The other tracks collected on <i>What’d I Say</i> cover a wide swath of Charles’ favored sounds; his roots in boogie-woogie, gospel, and jazz are laid out side by side, synthesized more often than not. He’s joined here by a familiar cast of star instrumentalists—including saxophonist David “Fathead” Newman and trumpet player Marcus Belgrave—who add to the fluid, timeless quality of each track, and help expand Charles’ classic Southern blues into every possible musical direction. .

via Apple Music

The Clerk says

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