Hard as it is to go wrong when shopping for a Brother Ray package, some career-spanning compilations bundle the decades better than others. Count this one, true to its title, among the very best. The track sequencing is straight-up chronological, opening with 1954's groundbreaking blues and gospel mingling "I've Got a Woman." From there it charges through the late-'50s Atlantic era, rounding up classic singles like "Hallelujah (I Love Her So)," "(Night Time Is) The Right Time," and "What'd I Say." By the time the disc lands us in the '60s, the Genius has saddled up to explore his country side, turning in such popular-music-altering hits as "Georgia on My Mind" and "I Can't Stop Loving You." A final cut jumps into the '80s for the Willie Nelson duet "Seven Spanish Angels," leaving the listener with a solid--and deeply satisfying--sense of Charles' bold artistic wanderings. All that's missing is his soul-dunked rendition of "America the Beautiful." -Tammy La Gorce

Tracklist:

01 Georgia On My Mind
02 Unchain My Heart
03 What'd I Say (Parts I & II)
04 Hallelujah I Love Her So
05 Hit The Road Jack
06 I've Got A Woman
07 A Fool For You
08 Drown In My Own Tears
09 (Night Time Is) The Right Time
10 Sticks And Stones
11 One Mint Julep
12 I Can't Stop Loving You
13 You Are My Sunshine
14 Busted
15 Let's Go Get Stoned
16 Seven Spanish Angels - With Willie Nelson