Ray Charles played as big a part as anybody in the invention of soul music; his revolutionary fusion of gospel and blues set the world on fire in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s. His pure originality can’t be overstated, and his affinity for country music had a lot to do with the freshness of his sound, especially the guttural immediacy of his lyrics.
Sadly, this reissue of Charles’ 1984 album of country duets doesn’t come close to capturing the artist’s passion for country & western. Friendship is very much a mid-‘80s time capsule, which reminds us just how awful Nashville’s product was 20 years ago (sadly, it’s just gotten worse since then). Meant to appeal strictly to a mainstream country audience, the production is tinny and synthesized, and Charles’ definitive voice has little room to breathe – especially when paired with a blowhard like Hank Williams, Jr.
“This Old Heart (Is Gonna Rise Again)” begins wonderfully, spotlighting the artist’s pained, bluesy croon. Because of this powerful opening, what follows is almost comical. After Charles lays his heart out to dry, the producer pushes the “bluegrass” button on his Casio, and the Oak Ridge Boys drown out The Genius with their ridiculous barbershop harmonies. It’s one of the most hilarious train wrecks I’ve ever heard.
That’s not to say Friendship is completely worthless. The second half of the album goes a long way towards redemption, including the #1 Willie Nelson duet “Seven Spanish Angels” and an absolutely great appearance by Johnny Cash on “Crazy Old Soldier.” The song depicts lonely alcoholics as staggering Don Quixotes, fighting a schizophrenic war against their vice – it’s the kind of imaginative songwriting that Friendship should be full of.
For a true representation of Ray Charles’ country explorations, pick up the legendary Modern Sounds In Country & Western Music volumes he released in 1962. Those were made when the artist and the genre were at their creative peaks, and when listening to Friendship, it’s painfully clear that the ‘80s were a low point for both.
Appeared in the July 21, 2005, issue of Artvoice.