[Steve_Seattle]

"His rendition of "America the Beatiful" is an American treasure."

His version made my spine tingle, no matter how often I heard it. I think Ray and Sam Cooke were the two greatest [male] soul singers I ever heard

[propertius]

I'm listening to Ray Charles sing "America the Beautiful" On Congolese television in a town which government troops have just liberated from renegade soldiers. Nothing for surreal than that. Nothing more comforting. RIP Ray.

[Huck]

Sam Cooke had a GREAT voice.