“The Fever”
Song by Ray Charles
Jumpy rhythms and funky keyboards are all over the frisky and rapid-paced song “The Fever” from Ray Charles’ 1996 CD Strong Love Affair. He trades lines back in forth in head-spinning succession with some Raelets on the choruses, and on the verses Ray alone is murmuring knowingly about lying next to her and feeling the fever of passion. Jarringly for some listeners perhaps, “The Fever” has an updated and modern sound, nothing like Ray’s classic R&B or country recordings. But his affectionate and appealing voice bridges the gap between that past and the busy sounds of 1990s-era studio professionalism. Ray’s having fun on “The Fever” and hopes you are too.