Would You Believe? (Ray Charles album)

The album was produced by Jimmy Lewis, who also wrote some of the songs.[6] It is evenly divided between songs describing the joys of love and songs about the sorrows of love.[7] Charles employed drum machines and synthesizers for the first time on an album.[8] He provided the backing vocals on many of the tracks.[9] "Your Love Keeps Me Satisfied" is a cover of the Billy Preston song.[10] "Living Without You" was written by Johnny Mandel.[11] "Let's Get Back Where We Left Off" is a duet with Peggy Scott.[12]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[13]
Chicago Tribune	[14]
Entertainment Weekly	B−[10]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide	[15]
The Virgin Encyclopedia of R&B and Soul	[16]
Windsor Star	B+[9]

The Chicago Tribune determined that "Charles matches his gritty vocals against a backing of synthesizers and drum machines and—amazingly—triumphs over technology."[14] Entertainment Weekly wrote that "Living Without You" "lightens up a touching, jazzy lament with a flittering sound that crosses clarinet and viola."[10] The Kingston Whig-Standard stated that "because Mr. Charles is still a marvelous singer and the songs are carefully chosen, this album is a delight."[6] The Star Tribune deemed the album "a frustrating mix of substandard songs and amateurish production guaranteed to disappoint even the most ardent fan."[17] LA Weekly concluded that Charles's "voice is still harsh/pretty, carrying an edge of ache and melancholy even in the light moments."[18]