The sexual tension keeps on building, as Charles works his primal screaming skills on "Tell Me How Do You Feel," sounding like he's chained up somewhere deep underground with a crazed carnival organist and a chorus of sex kittens high on reverb. "You Be My Baby" sounds like something that Little Richard would have banged out. Ray does it slower and funkier--the thing is oozing so much lust it's a wonder it ever got airplay. "I Got A Woman" is Ray in full-throated howl at the top of his form. Even though it's been played to death, the frenetic pace and the energy that still emanates from it keeps it fresh.
"What'd I Say" has also been overexposed, but the opening thuds still suck you in, and you're caught up in the groundswell as the thing keeps building until you find yourself beating on every pot and pan in the kitchen, grunting and howling along. This is the extended version, so you'd better hold something in reserve or better yet hold on to something for the big finish.
The album officially closes with Charles' signature tune, "Georgia On My Mind." Nobody should try to follow it, even Ray himself. So why the assemblers of this collection made the "bonus tracks" cheesy cuts from his Cole wannabe era is mystifying, and anticlimactic. "I'm Going Down to the River" is the closer, and though Charles has plenty of volume, there's not the soul and heat that "Georgia" generates. Take the eight cuts in the middle and burn copies for your next throw down, and throw the others down behind the couch until you're in a suicidal mood. Important? Yes, somewhat. Essential? I don't think so.
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