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22 of 23 found the following review helpful:
 Tight and Right Dec 08, 2005
By mistersnappy
Wow. All of Ray's work on Atlantic collected in one place. I was wondering why there was little of this music available last year during the hoopla over the movie "RAY" and I think they were depriving the public of some great music by saving it for a boxed set that is very expensive. But, that is a complaint about Rhino/Atlantic, not Ray Charles or the music contained herein. That said, this music ranks with the Charlie Parker sides from '45-48, late 30's Basie, classic Ellington, Aretha on Atlantic, etc. There is no doubt that it deserves all of the accolades and AT LEAST five stars. I won't analyze all of it but, rather, point out some favorite moments.
Most important is the addition of a DVD of the 1960 Newport Jazz Festival appearance by the Ray Charles Orchestra and Raelettes. For some of us, this is the Holy Grail. You see, any additional music from that particular period and group of musicians is invaluable, especially footage. In this band you have David "Fathead" Newman, one of the finest exponents of the Texas Tenor, and Hank Crawford on alto crying the blues, both at the beginning of long solo careers at Atlantic. In fact, if you like the way this band sounds, find Crawford's first four solo records as they have this band minus Ray but with incredible stripped-down moaning blues and standards arrangements. In addition, on this DVD there is the foghorn baritone sax of Leroy "Hog" Cooper, the surprisingly bluesy John Hunt on trumpet sounding like a combination of Clark Terry and Lee Morgan and the supremely lyrical Phil Guilbeau on flugelhorn. This is THE classic Ray Charles group. Many times I wished I could hear more and see them. Finally. Ray, of course, is Ray: confident, relaxed and at his most soulful. This is an important period because they have not yet left the chitlin circuit for world tours, a big band and Vegas. They may have headed for a honky tonk right after this gig, who knows?
They are tasting real success for the first time and are still hungry. They are tight and right. Analogies? A championship-caliber baseball or basketball team on the rise, taking on all comers, knowing they've got a shot at the Ring.
Other high points in this boxed set include Ray's dirty alto solo during How Long Blues with Milt Jackson, the proto-Rap of It Should Have Been Me, the extremely drawn-out, moaning version of Drown In My Own Tears from the Atlanta concert in '59, Rockhouse Parts 1 & 2, the Quincy Jones and Ernie Wilkins-voiced arrangements from "The Great Ray Charles" album, etc. So many. Long Live Ray and the Orchestra.
20 of 21 found the following review helpful:
 Great Music, reasonable price, stupid people!! Apr 10, 2006
By Robert Hildebrand
"rshildebrand"
This set is great as far as it goes. All of the material is typical RC: wonderful. I was surprised that there weren't more out takes, however. If you have any of the other Atlantic sets there's a fair bit of overlap. (added June 5, 2006: I've since learned that pretty near all the older Atlantic material, including alternate takes, was destroyed by a fire where the material was being stored, which explains the lack of out takes and alternate material.) This set, along with the Rhino Ray Charles country music set makes a pretty darn good overview of Ray's spectacular career.
I was really shocked that so many people don't bother to read the label on the eighth disc, which clearly is marked DVD | Video. Naturally, it won't play on CD players.
10 of 10 found the following review helpful:
A new standard in music box sets Mar 20, 2008
By Allan Tong
Rhino exhausted the Atlantic vaults of its Ray Charles catalogue, added a smart hardcover book, threw in an obscure concert on DVD and packaged everything in a magnificent carry case that resembles a vintage 45-record player. The result is the ultimate tribute to one of the giants of modern music, and raises the bar in box sets.
I don't see how anyone can improve on PURE GENIUS. The 6 CDs (each averaging 78 minutes) of Ray's released music are a sheer pleasure to listen to over and over. Credit Ray but also the sequencing.
Instead of arranging the tracks by album release date (i.e. The Velvet Underground and Cream boxes), Rhino gambles by sequencing according to *recording* date. Remember that until 1967's Sgt. Pepper, pop albums were hodge-podges of songs gathered from various sessions. With Ray's albums, songs spanned entire years. Rhino's approach allows the listener to enjoy each phase of Ray's recording career, from his soul breakthrough on disc one to the big band of disc six.
Another consideration is that Ray recorded in so many genres at once: gospel-tinged soul one week, straight jazz the next and back. Rhino's sequencing highlights Ray's versatility and virtuosity, which you cannot find on any other compilation and certainly not a greatest hits package which compiles only songs. I was expecting soul vocals with the Raelettes, but was blown away by Ray's instrumental jazz, which his big hits have unjustly overshadowed.
Disc seven--of outtakes and sessions (a fire destroyed all other session tapes)--provides a glimpse of an early recording session as well as part of a later one. The disc demonstrates Ray's growing confidence in the studio. However, this disc is for Ray's hardcore fans rather than casual listeners. And for the hardcore, it's a gem.
Another bonus is disc 8: the DVD of Ray's ultra-rare 1960 concert at the Newport Jazz Festival. It's a stationery camera shooting grainy black-and-white footage, but Ray's performance is assured through nine numbers. A 20-minute interview by Taylor Hackford of Ahmet Ertegun (who signed Ray to Atlantic) is another gem.
Liner notes in the hardcover book avoid empty hype and offer insight into Ray's brilliant career at Atlantic (written by biographer David Ritz). A detailed discography is another plus.
Now, what can I say about the packaging? I own several box sets and this one takes the prize for originality. It resembles a 45-turntable. Lift the "turntable" and the book and discs rest beneath. And the handle makes it portable.
A caveat: this box ain't cheap, and it's intended for hardcore Ray fans. More casual admirers should pick up the 3-CD BIRTH OF SOUL or a greatest hits package, but those don't include Ray's magnificent jazz sides.
Obviously, PURE GENIUS was a labour of love by the folks at Rhino. Some box sets are a formulaic mix of greatest hits, a few unreleased tracks, and some live tracks. This goes one further: it places the artist's music in its proper context which makes you appreciate his overall career even more.
If you find this box, get it. I did and it's worth every penny I paid and then some. I love PURE GENIUS.
7 of 7 found the following review helpful:
The Title Says It All.... Oct 09, 2005
By Scott Middendorf
Ray Charles was ahead of his time in a number of ways...this is most evident in this wonderful collection of his best works...Why some may argue that his early ABC-Dunhill recordings showed his versatility....these Atlantic recordings showcase an artist who was not afraid to experiment with what he was feeling inside...Though Ray's vocals are strong and vibrant, these Atlantic recordings also showcase that Ray was first and foremost a musician...the fact that he could utilize his vocals as an instrument only strengthens his title of genius..This is a must own collection...regardless of the price!!!
20 of 25 found the following review helpful:
Nothing wrong with 8th disc? Mar 10, 2006
By Tim
Um... I don't own this, but I was looking at buying it. Looking at the reviews, I see two people complained that disc 8 won't play in their CD players. Disc 8 is listed as a DVD, so it won't play in a regular CD player (try your computer). I have to assume there it nothing wrong with the product, but rather, the user. Just thought I should point that out to anyone thinking of buying this. I am giving it 5 stars just to offset the bad (mistaken) ratings
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