Genius Loves Company
Ray Charles

If the smattering of Grammy Awards (including Best Album of the Year) don't mean much to you, chances are that one of the 12 artists Ray Charles duets with will.

Between Elton John, Willie Nelson, Natalie Cole and Norah Jones, Charles has plenty of opportunities to display his trademark versatility.

One of the eight Grammys won by this album was for Best Gospel Performance for his version of "Heaven Help Us All" with Gladys Knight. Other highlights include "Crazy Love" with Van Morrison and "Sinner's Prayer" with B. B. King.

As his last record before his death last year, his voice sounds quite worn in one or two tracks that were recorded when his health was suffering. But the overall feeling is warm, and any faults are akin to an old family rug you wouldn't throw out for a decade or two yet.

Though Charles has set the bar far too high to call Genius Loves Company his best, it's far from the typical late career album dogged by bad production and last ditch effort. This album is good, and will be loved by many.

Lyndal Irons