What'd I Say

Ray Charles' 1959 album sparks into life with the title track's flurry of swinging keyboard lines, jangling percussion, and his legendary moans and wails. From that upbeat start, Charles runs through a frisky selection of powerhouse R&B songs. He also takes fearless detours over to the blues side (the slinky, Hammond organ-powered "Tell Me How Do You Feel") and flirts with rock 'n' roll on the sassy "You Be My Baby," a ditty about wooing the girls that's pepped up by perky horns.