Ray Charles / Have A Smile With Me (US, mono, ABC-Paramount, ABC-495) <June 1964> その①

Ray Charles / Have A Smile With Me (US, mono, ABC-Paramount, ABC-495) <June 1964>
(Side 1) ABC-495-A ² LW BellSound
(Side 2) ABC-495-B ² LW BellSound

The idea behind this LP was to offer a lighthearted sequel to its quasi-concept predecessor, Sweet & Sour Tears. There's nothing wrong with the idea of letting Charles just kick back and have fun, but "The Thing" and "The Man with the Weird Beard" transcend the boundaries of humor into silliness and, worse, stupidity. On the other hand, he also turns out a good jazzy version of Hank Williams' "Move It on Over" (the record's highlight), and manages to swing through fairly superficial fare like "Ma (She's Making Eyes at Me)" and "Two Ton Tessie" with solid flair. It was another inconsistent '60s set, the shortage of top-notch tunes disguised by a flimsy concept, though he elevates the material with soulful vocals and good arrangements, particularly when the Raeletts back him up (as they do on half the tracks).

Ma (She's Making Eyes At Me)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWE87ykfTv0

Ma, she's making eyes at me
Ma, she looks so good to me
Ma, she's almost breaking my heart
I'm beside her, please let her conscience guide her
Ma, she wants to marry me
Be my honey bee
Every minute she gets bolder
Now she's leaning on my shoulder
Ma, the girl's kissing me
Ma, she don't look good to me
Ma, her waist is 53
Ma, she's almost ruined my car
When we go out the tires all begin to blow out
Ma, she wants to marry me
You know that could never be
Suppose a baby should come later
It's got to look like an alligator
Ma, won't don't you rescue me, hey
Ma, I found out she's got dough
Ma, the girl owns the B&O
She just bought eight city blocks
In New York City
You know, all at once the girl looks pretty
Ma, if I would say "I do"
She would promise to
Make my future very pleasant
Fort Knox would be my wedding present
Ma, she looks good to me
Buy me the seven seas to swim in
Replace the fish with gorgeous women
Ma, she looks good to me[x2]