“Midnight”
Song by Ray Charles
Ray Charles’ 1962 version of Red Foley’s “Midnight” is a remarkable recording, one of the more adventurous arrangements of its time.
Released as the fifth song on Side 1 of the Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music Volume Two LP in October 1962, “Midnight” opens with a curious, very low warbling sound, resembling a didgeridoo more than anything else. The big band on this song, as on all of the LP’s first side, was arranged and conducted by Gerald Wilson and the recording was overseen by longtime Ray collaborator Sid Feller. All six of those songs, including “Midnight”, were recorded on September 5, 1962.
Two Rays for the price of one
The country sweetness of the original’s lilting but dramatic vocal melody is kept intact by Ray Charles, but his voice, unusually, is double-tracked. One Ray sings low, the other high.
(Speaking of high, according to biographer Michael Lydon, Ray was high on heroin during the recording of “Midnight” and the other Side 1 songs, and couldn’t remember the lyrics as he sang. Someone had to sit beside him and prompt him.)
He had famously overdubbed his own voice on the great “I Believe To My Soul” for Atlantic in 1959, but in a falsetto chorus that concealed the singer’s identity. “Midnight”‘s two vocals are obviously Ray.
It’s a nice effect, a little unsettling especially considering the didgeridoo sound swelling blearily up and down in the arrangement. “So lonely at midnight for you,” sing the twin Mr. Cs, and the performance has a transportive effect. You may always even look forward to “Midnight” when listening to the LP; it’s quite an interesting moment and holds up just fine through repeated listenings.
“Midnight”, written by country guitar star Chet Atkins and a number one Country and Western hit for Red Foley in 1952, was not released on either side of any single by Ray Charles. You can find the original on a vinyl copy of the Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music Volume Two LP, which is easy to find for sale used.
Listen to “Midnight”
Songs on Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music Volume 2