The Blog

I have an interesting history with Ray Charles, in that I was afraid of him as a toddler. Knowing I was terrified of Mr. Charles, my biological father, before he and my mother divorced, used to chase me around the kitchen wearing dark shades. What made me afraid of him? I couldn’t begin to tell you. I eventually came around to liking Ray, right around the time I became terrified of Freddy Krueger.

The track I’ve posted is one of my favorites. Imagine sitting in a black Protestant church. The organist begins playing the overture that signals it’s time for offering. The congregation stands up in the pews, awaiting the instructions of the church ushers. The choir members stand and begin to sway rhythmically, readying themselves to sing. That’s what this record sounds like to me…

…except it’s titled Let’s Go Get Stoned. Listen for yourself.

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