1957
TALKIN' 'BOUT YOU * RAY CHARLES * ATLANTIC 1172 * USA
This cut presents a perfect example of the way in which Ray Charles adapted both the Gospel idiom and the slightly altered lyrics of the Gospel songs to make a new sound for the R&B and Pop market. A sound that presented a brake and continuity with the past being both a fresh approach to the flagging Rhythm and Blues sound and seminal in the formation of what was to become known as Soul music. Of course the detournement of religious songs or hymns and visa-versa was nothing new. The church throughout its history has taken the songs and music of the secular societies it has sought to bind to its authority and replaced just enough words to keep the familiarity of the work yet shift the meaning to fit their dogma and theology.
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