TV Review : ‘Ray Charles’: A Tribute With Soul

In one of the many taped salutes in the excellent variety-show-style tribute “Ray Charles: 50 Years in Music, uh-huh!,” Bill Cosby perfectly sums up Charles’ greatness:

“In 50 years in the business, Ray has taken standard tunes that we’ve all pretty much taken for granted and then put some electricity into them.”

A perfect example is the finale, when Charles zaps soul into “America the Beautiful.” Another is his anguished version of “Georgia on My Mind,” a standard that, decades ago, he molded into one of his signature songs. He sings it with pop-soul star Michael Bolton who, surprisingly, holds his own with the master.

Highlights abound in the show (airing at 9:30 p.m. Sunday on KTTV Channel 11 and XETV Channel 6. It’s hard to say which is better, Charles’ duet with Stevie Wonder--a first--on “Livin’ for the City,” or his performing “Busted” with Willie Nelson, poking fun at the country star’s recent tax problems.

There are plenty of stars, with M.C. Hammer, Quincy Jones and Robert Townsend hosting segments; Paul McCartney and Gloria Estefan delivering taped tributes, and Michael McDonald, Randy Travis and James Ingram singing Charles hits. There are also some clever comic touches, including a tape of John Belushi’s hilarious Charles’ imitation.