In May 2003, Charles played his 10,000th concert and even though he was suffering from a hip ailment and also from liver disease, around this time he also began recording the songs presented here. His failing health did not prevent him from continuing to work on what was to be his last album.
Choosing to sing duets might be thought a means of shoring up any weaknesses, but there is no audible evidence that this caveat applies. Charles is powerful vocally and it is vividly clear that his musical soul was still very much alive and well.
Another speculation is that some of his collaborators were chosen to attract the younger audience for contemporary pop. If so, why not? After all, in his early performing and recording years he modelled his style on that of currently popular Nat King Cole. While still in his early 20s, Charles began a gradual stylistic shift into R&B and gospel, as well as blues and soul and had great success with I Got A Woman. Many more hits were to follow and along the way he was labelled “a genius” – perhaps the whim of a publicist – and the label stuck.
It may be that not all of his vocal partners appeal to fans of the man himself, but this should not be a deterrent. Indeed, as demonstrated, especially by Elton John, Bonnie Raitt and Johnny Mathis, they adjust to the prevailing mood. On the songs where he is teamed with fellow masters of the multiple genres he embraced, B.B. King and Gladys Knight for example, the results are notably effective.
This album was a hit when it was first released in 2004 and rightly so.
Discography
(1) Here We Go Again;(2) Sweet Potato Pie; (3) You Don’t Know Me; (4) Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word; (5) Fever; (6) Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?; (7) It Was A Very Good Year; (8) Hey Girl; (9) Sinner’s Prayer; (10) Heaven Help Us All; (11) Over The Rainbow; (12) Crazy Love (51.32)
Charles (v, p, kyb) with various orch., plus guest vocalists: (1) Norah Jones, (2) James Taylor, (3) Diana Krall, (4) Elton John, (5) Natalie Cole, (6) Bonnie Raitt, (7) Willie Nelson, (8) Michael McDonald, (9) B.B. King, (10) Gladys Knight, (11) Johnny Mathis, (12) Van Morrison. Various locations, mainly CA. June 2003 – March 2004.
Tangerine Records TRC21202
