Hard Times (No One Knows Better Than I)

 Sixty years ago this October, Ray Charles released his last album for Atlantic Records called “The Genius Sings the Blues,” The album compiled a dozen tunes Brother Ray had recorded over an eight-year period at the Atlantic studios, showcasing piano blues, jazz and southern R&B. A standout cut on that remarkable  album was the second tune on side 1 — “Hard Times (No One Knows Better Than I),” a tune that’s since been covered by everybody from David Clayton-Thomas to Eric Clapton. And last night, it was the first tune we tackled at the first rehearsal of the new year.