India Arie has really been a force in adult soul music since the very beginning of this century. With intelligent lyrics and a consistent sense of her muse, she has made every one of her releases something to cherish.
And while India is best known for her original music, for our latest First Listen she takes on a much-recorded standard, written nearly a century ago by Hoagy Carmichael. “Georgia On My Mind” has had many lives, most notably in the seminal recording by Ray Charles. India even recorded it herself as a guest vocalist on a 2007 Jools Holland album.
Now she records this classic for her own headline. And while the cover is quite faithful to the Ray Charles version, she makes her own vocal runs and makes it interesting and quite enjoyable. And, of course, the song means a little more to the proud Atlanta-based singer.
Check out “Georgia On My Mind” below and welcome India Arie back to SoulTracks.
India Arie – “Georgia On My Mind”
