In keeping with his jazz/pop crossover ambitions,
Ray Charles decided to record a concept album of sorts with a dozen songs devoted to various parts of the U.S. -- "Alabamy Bound," "Georgia on My Mind," "Moonlight in Vermont," "California, Here I Come," "Blue Hawaii," and more. The crossover vibe is further heightened by the brassy big-band arrangements, and material from the likes of
Al Jolson and
Hoagy Carmichael. It sounds a bit corny now, with an in-your-face gung-ho cheer. But it did what
Charles wanted it to do, reaching the Top Ten of the album charts, and spinning off a big hit with "Georgia on My Mind." Richie Unterberger