Ray CharlesRecensioni

Track Listings
1 It Should Have Been Me
2 Don't You Know
3 Blackjack
4 I`ve Got A Woman
5 What Would I Do Without You?
6 Greenbacks
7 Come Back
8 A Fool For You
9 This Little Girl Of Mine
10 Hallelujah I Love Her So
11 Lonely Avenue
12 It's Alright
13 Ain't That Love
14 Swanee River Rock (Talkin' 'Bout That River)
15 That's Enough
16 What'd I Say (Part 1)
17 (Night Time Is) The Right Time
18 Drown In My Own Tears
19 Tell The Truth (Live)
20 Just For A Thrill

RECORDED 1949-1952

Disc: 1
1 Ain't That Fine
2 Hey Now
3 What Have I Done?
4 Sitting On Top Of The World
5 Let's Have A Ball
6 How Long Blues
7 Can't You See Darling
8 She's On The Ball
9 If I Give You My Love
10 This Love Of Mine
11 Baby, Won't You Please Come Home
12 You'll Always Miss The Water
13 Blues Before Sunrise
14 Guitar Blues
Disc: 2
1 Back Home
2 See See Rider
3 Kissa Me Baby
4 Money Honey
5 Late In The Evening Blues
6 I'm Just A Lonely Boy
7 Let Me Hear You Call My Name
8 I'm Wondering And Wondering
9 Don't Put All Your Dreams In One Basket
10 Why Did You Go?
11 Walkin' And Talkin'
12 Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand
13 Going Down Slow
14 A Sentimental Blues

Modern Sounds In Country & Western Music Vol.1
1 Bye Bye Love
2 You Don't Know Me
3 Half As Much
4 I Love You So Much It Hurts
5 Just A Little Lovin'
6 Born To Lose
7 Worried Mind
8 It Makes No Difference Now
9 You Win Again
10 Careless Love
11 I Can't Stop Loving You
12 Hey, Good Lookin'
13 You Are My Sunshine
14 Here We Go Again
15 That Lucky Old Sun

1 What Child Is This 5:00
2 The Little Drummer Boy
Written-By – Harry Simeone, Henry Onorati, Katherine Davis*
5:31
3 Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
Written-By – Haven Gillespie, Fred Coots*
3:29
4 This Time Of The Year
Written-By – Cliff Owens, Jesse Hollis
3:16
5 Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
Written-By – Johnny Marks
4:05
6 That Spirit Of Christmas
Written-By – Joel Webster, Mable John, Parnell Davison
5:06
7 All I Want For Christmas
Written-By – William Henderson
4:25
8 Christmas In My Heart
Written-By – Douglas Fraser, Julia Fraser, Rosalyn Winters
4:15
9 Winter Wonderland
Written-By – Richard Smith*, Felix Bernard
3:32
10 Christmas Time
Written-By – Edward Cole (3)
4:40
Bonus Track
11 Baby It's Cold Outside
Arranged By, Conductor – Marty Paich
Featuring – The Jack Halloran Singers
Producer – Sid Feller
Written-By – Frank Loesser
4:13

1 Georgia On My Mind 3:35
2 Unchain My Heart 2:49
3 Born To Lose 3:12
4 One Mint Julep 3:04
5 You Don't Know Me 3:14
6 Smack Dab In The Middle 2:54
7 Crying Time 3:13
8 Hide Nor Hair 3:05
9 Let's Go Get Stoned 3:00
10 That Lucky Old Sun 4:20
11 Don't Change On Me 3:22
12 Your Cheating Heart 3:30
13 I Don't Need No Doctor 2:29
14 Careless Love 2:58
15 My Heart Cries For You 2:44
16 I Chose To Sing The Blues 2:29
17 If You Were Mine 3:47
18 Baby Don't You Cry 2:32
19 Here We Go Again 3:14
20 Yesterday 2:48

1 Busted 2:04
2 Hit The Road Jack 1:57
3 I Can't Stop Loving You 4:11
4 You Are My Sunshine 2:58
5 Ruby 3:50
6 Sticks And Stones 2:14
7 Take These Chains From My Heart 2:52
8 Them That Got 2:47
9 No One 3:06
10 Without Love (There Is Nothing) 3:30
11 Don't Set Me Free 2:37
12 I'm A Fool To Care 3:14
13 Makin' Whoopee, Parts 1 & 2 [live] 6:17
14 Hardhearted Hanna 3:14
15 Baby It's Cold Outside, Vocals – Betty Carter 4:05
16 At The Club 2:55
17 In The Heat Of The Night 2:31
18 Eleanor Rigby 2:58
19 Look What They Done To My Song, Ma 3:45
20 America The Beautiful 3:38

1 I'll Take Care Of You
Keyboards – Charles Richard Cason*
Voice – Ray Charles
Written-By – Jimmy Lewis
4:03
2 Your Love Keeps Me Satisfied
Keyboards – Ray Charles
Voice – Ray Charles
Written-By – Billy Preston
3:41
3 Ellie, My Love
Written-By – Keisuke Kuwata
4:12
4 I Can't Get Enough
Voice – Ray Charles
Written-By – Joel Webster, Mable John
3:20
5 Let's Get Back Where We Left Off
Keyboards – Ray Charles
Vocals [Featuring] – Peggy Scott
Written-By – Jimmy Lewis, Charles Richard Cason*
4:16
6 Child Support, Alimony
Keyboards – Charles Richard Cason*
Voice – Ray Charles
Written-By – Jimmy Lewis
3:48
7 Fresh Out Of Tears
Keyboards – Charles Richard Cason*
Voice – Ray Charles
Written-By – Jimmy Lewis
3:25
8 Living Without You
Keyboards – Ray Charles
Lyrics By – Randy Goodrum
Written-By – Johnny Mandel
4:42
9 Where's The Stairs ?
Keyboards – Ray Charles, Charles Richard Cason*
Written-By – Jimmy Lewis
4:26
10 Leave Him !
Keyboards – Ray Charles, Charles Richard Cason*
Voice – Ray Charles
Written-By – Jimmy Lewis
4:19

1-1 The Sun's Gonna Shine Again 2:36
1-2 Roll With My Baby 2:35
1-3 The Midnight Hour 2:59
1-4 Jumpin' In The Morning 2:44
1-5 It Should Have Been Me 2:42
1-6 Losing Hand 3:11
1-7 Heartbreaker 2:51
1-8 Sinner's Prayer 3:21
1-9 Mess Around 2:38
1-10 Funny But I Still Love You 3:12
1-11 Feelin' Sad 2:47
1-12 I Wonder Who 2:47
1-13 Don't You Know? 2:55
1-14 Nobody Cares 2:37
1-15 Ray's Blues 2:52
1-16 Mr. Charles Blues 2:45
1-17 Blackjack 2:18
2-1 I Got A Woman 2:50
2-2 Greenbacks 2:48
2-3 Come Back Baby 3:04
2-4 A Fool For You 3:00
2-5 This Little Girl Of Mine 2:30
2-6 Hard Times 2:53
2-7 A Bit Of Soul 2:17
2-8 Mary Ann 2:45
2-9 Drown In My Own Tears 3:19
2-10 Hallelujah I Love Her So 2:34
2-11 What Would I Do Without You 2:34
2-12 Lonely Avenue 2:33
2-13 I Want To Know 2:09
2-14 Leave My Woman Alone 2:38
2-15 It's Alright 2:15
2-16 Ain't That Love 2:51
2-17 Get On The Right Track 2:17
2-18 Rockhouse Parts 1 & 2 3:51
3-1 Swanee River Rock 2:18
3-2 That's Enough 2:43
3-3 Talkin' About You 2:49
3-4 What Kind Of Man Are You 2:47
3-5 I Want A Little Girl 2:53
3-6 Yes Indeed 2:14
3-7 I Had A Dream 2:52
3-8 You Be My Baby 2:28
3-9 Tell All The World About You 2:01
3-10 My Bonnie 2:44
3-11 Early In The Morning 2:43
3-12 The Right Time 3:26
3-13 Carryin' The Load 2:22
3-14 Tell Me How Do You Feel 2:42
3-15 What'd I Say, Parts 1 & 2 6:26
3-16 Tell The Truth 3:03
3-17 I'm Movin' On 2:20
3-18 I Believe To My Soul 2:59

Credits
Alto Saxophone – Auguste "Dimes" Dupont (tracks: 1-11, 1-12), David Newman* (tracks: 2-4 to 2-7, 2-12 to 3-18), O'Neil Gerald (tracks: 1-13 to 1-16)
Arranged By – Jesse Stone (tracks: 1-5 to 1-10)
Backing Vocals – The Raeletts* (tracks: 3-1 to 3-17), The Cookies (tracks: 2-9, 2-12 to 2-16)
Baritone Saxophone – Cecil Payne (tracks: 2-8 to 2-11), David Newman* (tracks: 1-17 to 2-7), Emmett Dennis* (tracks: 2-12 to 3-10), Hank Crawford (tracks: 3-11 to 3-18), Warren Bell (tracks: 1-13 to 1-16)
Bass – Edgar Willis (tracks: 3-1 to 3-18), Frank Fields (tracks: 1-11, 1-12), Jimmy Bell (2) (tracks: 1-17 to 2-3), Lloyd Lambert (tracks: 1-13 to 1-16), Lloyd Trotman (2) (tracks: 1-1 to 1-10), Paul West (tracks: 2-8 to 2-11), Roosevelt Sheffield (tracks: 2-4 to 2-7, 2-12 to 2-18)
Congas – Candido Camero* (tracks: 1-5 to 1-10), Mongo Santamaria (tracks: 3-11 to 3-14)
Drums – Alonzo Stewart (tracks: 1-11, 1-12), Connie Kay (tracks: 1-1 to 1-10), Glenn Brooks (tracks: 1-17 to 2-3), Milt Turner (tracks: 3-11 to 3-16), Oscar Moore (2) (tracks: 1-13 to 1-16), Panama Francis (tracks: 2-8 to 2-11), Richard Goldberg* (tracks: 3-6 to 3-10), Teagle Fleming (tracks: 3-17, 3-18), William Peeples (tracks: 2-4 to 2-7, 2-12 to 3-5)
Electric Piano [Wurlitzer] – Ray Charles (tracks: 3-12, 3-13, 3-15 to 3-18)
Executive-Producer – Ahmet M. Ertegun*
Guitar – Edgar Blanchard (tracks: 1-11, 1-12), Mickey Baker (tracks: 1-5 to 1-10), Wesley Jackson (4) (tracks: 1-17 to 2-3)
Organ – Ray Charles (tracks: 3-14)
Piano – Ray Charles (tracks: 1-1 to 3-11)
Producer – Ahmet Ertegun (tracks: 1-1 to 3-18), Herb Abramson (tracks: 1-1 to 1-4), Jerry Wexler (tracks: 1-11 to 3-18)
Saxophone – Dave McRae (tracks: 1-1 to 1-10), Freddie Mitchell (tracks: 1-5 to 1-10), Pinky Williams (tracks: 1-5 to 1-10), Sam Taylor (2) (tracks: 1-1 to 1-4)
Tenor Saxophone – David Newman* (tracks: 2-12 to 3-18), Don Wilkerson (tracks: 1-17 to 2-11), Joe Tillman (tracks: 1-13 to 1-16), Warren Hebrew (tracks: 1-11, 1-12)
Trumpet – Charles Whitley (tracks: 1-17 to 2-3), Frank Mitchell (5) (tracks: 1-13 to 1-16), Jesse Drakes (tracks: 1-1 to 1-4), Joe Bridgewater (tracks: 1-17 to 3-5), John Hunt (tracks: 2-12 to 2-18, 3-15 to 3-18), Joshua Willis (tracks: 2-8 to 2-11), Lee Harper (tracks: 3-6 to 3-14), Marcus Belgrave (tracks: 3-6 to 3-18), Ricky Harper (tracks: 3-1 to 3-5), Riley Webb (tracks: 2-4 to 2-7), Wallace Davenport (tracks: 1-13 to 1-16)
Vocals – Margie Hendrix (tracks: 3-12), Mary Ann Fish* (tracks: 3-4), Ray Charles
Written-By – Billy Moll (tracks: 3-5), Charles Calhoun (tracks: 1-6), Doc Pomus (tracks: 2-12, 3-8, 3-13), Eddie Jones* (tracks: 1-11), Memphis Curtis* (tracks: 1-5), Hank Snow (tracks: 3-17), Henry Glover (tracks: 2-9), Leo Hickman (tracks: 3-11), Lew Herman (tracks: 3-12), Lloyd Glenn (tracks: 1-8), Lowman Pauling (tracks: 3-16), Nugetre (tracks: 1-7, 1-9), Ray Charles (tracks: 1-1, 1-2, 1-4, 1-10, 1-12 to 2-8, 2-10, 2-11, 2-13 to 2-16, 2-18 to 3-4, 3-9, 3-10, 3-14, 3-15, 3-18), Ricky Harper (tracks: 3-7), Sam Sweet (tracks: 1-3), Sy Oliver (tracks: 3-6), Titus Turner (tracks: 2-17)

1 Ray Charles– I've Got A Woman
Arranged By – Ray Charles
Baritone Saxophone – David "Fathead" Newman
Bass – Jimmy Bell (2)
Drums – Glenn Brooks
Guitar – Wesley Jackson (4)
Piano – Ray Charles
Producer – Ahmet Ertegun, Jerry Wexler
Tenor Saxophone – Donald Wilkerson*
Trumpet – Charles "Clanky" Whitley*, Joe Bridgewater
Written-By – Ray Charles, Renald Richard
2 Ray Charles– A Fool For You
Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – David "Fathead" Newman
Arranged By – Ray Charles
Bass – Roosevelt "Whiskey" Sheffield*
Drums – William Peeples
Piano – Ray Charles
Producer – Ahmet Ertegun, Jerry Wexler
Tenor Saxophone – Donald Wilkerson*
Trumpet – Joe Bridgewater, Riley Webb
Written-By – Ray Charles
3 Ray Charles– Drown In My Own Tears
Arranged By – Ray Charles
Baritone Saxophone – Cecil Payne
Bass – Paul West
Drums – David "Panama" Francis*
Piano – Ray Charles
Producer – Ahmet Ertegun, Jerry Wexler
Tenor Saxophone – Donald Wilkerson*
Trumpet – Joe Bridgewater, Joshua "Jack" Willis*
Written-By – Henry Glover
4 Ray Charles– Hallelujah I Love Her So
Arranged By – Ray Charles
Baritone Saxophone – Cecil Payne
Bass – Paul West
Drums – David "Panama" Francis*
Piano – Ray Charles
Producer – Ahmet Ertegun, Jerry Wexler
Tenor Saxophone – Donald Wilkerson*
Trumpet – Joe Bridgewater, Joshua "Jack" Willis*
Written-By – Ray Charles
5 Ray Charles– (Night Time Is) The Right Time
Alto Saxophone – David "Fathead" Newman
Arranged By – Ray Charles
Backing Vocals – The Raeletts*
Baritone Saxophone – Bennie "Hank" Crawford*
Bass – Edgar Willis
Drums – Milt Turner
Electric Piano – Ray Charles
Producer – Ahmet Ertegun, Jerry Wexler
Trumpet – Lee "Ricky" Harper*, Marcus Belgrave
Vocals – Margie Hendrix
Written-By – Lew Herman, Napoleon Brown*, Ozzie Cadena
6 Ray Charles– What'd I Say Parts I & II
Arranged By – Ray Charles
Backing Vocals – The Raeletts*
Baritone Saxophone – Bennie "Hank" Crawford*
Bass – Edgar Willis
Drums – Milt Turner
Electric Piano – Ray Charles
Producer – Ahmet Ertegun, Jerry Wexler
Trumpet – Marcus Belgrave
Written-By – Ray Charles
7 Ray Charles– Sticks And Stones
Alto Saxophone – Bennie "Hank" Crawford*
Arranged By – Ray Charles
Backing Vocals – The Raeletts*
Baritone Saxophone – Leroy "Hog" Cooper*
Bass – Edgar Willis
Drums – Milt Turner
Electric Piano – Ray Charles
Producer – Sid Feller
Tenor Saxophone – David "Fathead" Newman
Trumpet – John Hunt, Martin Banks
Written-By – Henry Glover, Titus Turner
8 Ray Charles– Georgia On My Mind
Arranged By – Ralph Burns
Bass – Edgar Willis
Drums – Milton Turner*
Piano – Ray Charles
Producer – Sid Feller
Written-By – Hoagy Carmichael, Stuart Gorrell
9 Ray Charles– One Mint Julep
Alto Saxophone – Earle Warren, George Dorsey
Arranged By – Quincy Jones
Baritone Saxophone – Heywood Henry*
Bass – Joe Benjamin
Drums – Roy Haynes
Guitar – Sam Herman
Organ – Ray Charles
Producer – Creed Taylor
Tenor Saxophone – Albert "Budd" Johnson*, Seldon Powell
Trombone – George Matthews (2), Jimmy Cleveland, Frederic "Keg" Johnson*, Urbie Green
Trumpet – Clark Terry, Jimmy Nottingham, Joe Wilder, John Frosk, Philip Guilbeau*
Written-By – Rudolph Toombs
10 Ray Charles– Hit The Road Jack
Alto Saxophone – Bennie "Hank" Crawford*
Arranged By – Ray Charles
Backing Vocals – The Raeletts*
Baritone Saxophone – Leroy "Hog" Cooper*
Bass – Edgar Willis
Drums – Edward "Bruno" Carr*
Piano – Ray Charles
Producer – Sid Feller
Tenor Saxophone – David "Fathead" Newman
Trumpet – John Hunt, Philip Guilbeau*
Vocals – Margie Hendrix
Written-By – Percy Mayfield
11 Ray Charles– Unchain My Heart
Alto Saxophone – Bennie "Hank" Crawford*
Arranged By – Ray Charles
Backing Vocals – The Raeletts*
Baritone Saxophone – Leroy "Hog" Cooper*
Bass – Edgar Willis
Drums – Edward "Bruno" Carr*
Piano – Ray Charles
Producer – Sid Feller
Tenor Saxophone – David "Fathead" Newman
Trumpet – John Hunt, Philip Guilbeau*
Written-By – Robert Sharp, Jr.*, Teddy Powell
12 Ray Charles– I Can't Stop Loving You
Arranged By – Marty Paich
Piano – Ray Charles
Producer – Sid Feller
Written-By – Don Gibson
13 Ray Charles– You Are My Sunshine
Alto Saxophone – Bennie "Hank" Crawford*, Rudy Powell
Arranged By – Gerald Wilson
Backing Vocals – The Raeletts*
Baritone Saxophone – Leroy "Hog" Cooper*
Bass – Edgar Willis
Drums – Edward "Bruno" Carr*
Guitar – Elbert "Sonny" Forriest*
Piano – Ray Charles
Producer – Sid Feller
Tenor Saxophone – David "Fathead" Newman, Donald Wilkerson*
Trombone – Henderson Chambers, James Harbert, Frederic "Keg" Johnson*, Leon Comegee*
Trumpet – John Hunt, Marcus Belgrave, Philip Guilbeau*, Wallace Davenport
Vocals – Margie Hendrix
Written-By – Charles Mitchell (3), Jimmy Davis*
14 Ray Charles– Busted
Alto Saxophone – Buddy Pearson, Bennie "Hank" Crawford*
Arranged By – Benny Carter
Baritone Saxophone – Leroy "Hog" Cooper*
Bass – Edgar Willis
Drums – Wilbert Hogan
Guitar – Elbert "Sonny" Forriest*
Piano – Ray Charles
Producer – Sid Feller
Tenor Saxophone – David "Fathead" Newman, James Clay
Trombone – Henderson Chambers, James Harbert, Julian Priester, Frederic "Keg" Johnson*
Trumpet – John Hunt, Oliver Beener, Philip Guilbeau*, Wallace Davenport
Written-By – Harlan Howard
15 Ray Charles– Let's Go Get Stoned
Backing Vocals – The Raeletts*
Organ – Billy Preston
Piano – Ray Charles
Producer – Joe Adams & TRC*
Written-By – Josephine Armsted*, Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
16 Ray Charles With Willie Nelson– Seven Spanish Angels
Acoustic Guitar – Dale Sellers
Backing Vocals – Diane Tidwell, Hershel Wiginton*, Lisa Silver, Louis Nunley
Bass – Robert Wray*
Conductor – Bill McElhiney
Drums – Kenneth Malone*
Guitar [Gut String] – Billy Sanford, Pete Bordonali
Harmonica – Terry McMillan
Keyboards – Hargus "Pig" Robbins*
Producer – Billy Sherrill
Steel Guitar – Pete Drake
Strings – The "A" Strings
Trumpet – Bill McElhiney, Jose McElhiney
Vocals – Willie Nelson
Written-By – Edward Setser*, Troy Seals

1 Ray Charles With Norah Jones– Here We Go Again
Bass – Tom Fowler
Drums – Ray Brinker
Engineer [Additional Engineering] – Mark Fleming
Engineer [Assistant] – Bill Kaylor, Ken DeSantis
Guitar – Irv Kramer*
Keyboards – Ray Charles
Organ [Hammond B3] – Billy Preston
Piano – Norah Jones
Recorded By – Terry Howard
Written-By – Don Lanier, Russell Steagall*
3:59
2 Ray Charles With James Taylor (2)– Sweet Potato Pie
Baritone Saxophone – Brandon Fields
Bass – Tom Fowler
Copyist – Brian Benison
Drums – Ray Brinker
Engineer [Additional Engineering] – Mark Fleming
Engineer [Assistant] – Bill Kaylor, Ken DeSantis
Guitar – Irv Kramer*, Michael Landau
Keyboards, Arranged By – Randy Waldman
Recorded By – Terry Howard
Saxophone – Bob Shepard*, Dave Boruff*
Trombone – Bob McChesney, Bruce Fowler (3)
Trumpet – Charles Davis, Walt Fowler
Written-By – James Taylor (2)
3:47
3 Ray Charles With Diana Krall– You Don't Know Me
Arranged By [Strings] – David Blumberg
Bass – Tom Fowler
Cello – John Krovoza, Stefanie Fife, Timothy Landauer*, Trevor Handy
Concertmaster – Assa Drori
Contractor – Joe Soldo
Copyist – Ken Gruberman
Drums – Raymond Brinker*
Engineer [Assistant] – Andrew Felluss, Bill Kaylor, Ken DeSantis, Steve Genewick
Guitar – George Doering, Irv Kramer*
Keyboards – Ray Charles
Piano, Keyboards, Arranged By [Rhythm] – Randy Waldman
Recorded By – Ed Thacker
Recorded By [Strings] – Al Schmitt
Viola – Andrew Picken, David Walther, Miguel Ferguson*, Ray Tischer, Shawn Mann, Suzanna Giordano
Violin – Berj Garabedian, Brian Benning, Daphne Chen, David Stenske, Dynell Weber, Irina Voloshina, Jennifer Munday (2), Jennifer Walton, Johana Krejci, Julie Rogers (2), Kirsten Fife, Margaret Wooten, North Wood, Raymond Kobler, Ron Clark, Ronald Folsom, Songa Lee-Kitto
Written-By – Cindy Walker, Eddy Arnold
3:55
4 Ray Charles With Elton John– Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
Arranged By – Victor Vanacore
Bass – Tom Fowler
Cello – John Acosta (2), Rudolph Stein*, Steve Richards, Yao Zhao
Concertmaster – Robert Peterson*
Contractor – Mike Vaccaro*
Copyist – Joe McGuire
Drums – John Robinson (2)
Edited By [Digital Editing] – Steve Deutsch
Engineer [Assistant] – Jamie Sickora*, Keith Gretlein, Mike Eleopoulos
Guitar – Michael Thompson
Piano – Alan Pasqua
Recorded By – Joel Moss
Score [Score Advisor] – David Vanacore
Viola – Carolyn Riley, Ed Persi, Maria Newman, Sam Formicola
Violin – Alan Ellsworth, Alicia Engley, Amy Wickman-Guerra*, Dennis Molchan, Edmund Stein, Gerry Hilera*, Igor Pandurski, Kathleen Robertson, Nick Grant (2), Paul Manaster, Reginald Clews, Sai Ly Acosta, Todor Pelev, Xiao Niu He, Zheng Wang
Written-By – Elton John & Bernie Taupin
3:59
5 Ray Charles With Natalie Cole– Fever
Bass – Tom Fowler
Cello – John Acosta (2), Rudolph Stein*, Steve Richards, Yao Zhao
Co-producer – Don Mizell
Copyist – Brian Benison
Drums – Ray Brinker
Engineer [Assistant] – Andrew Felluss, Bill Kaylor, Jay Spears*, Ken DeSantis
Guitar – George Doering, Irv Kramer*
Keyboards, Arranged By – Randy Waldman
Recorded By – Ed Thacker, Pete Karam, Terry Howard
Viola – Carolyn Riley, Ed Persi, Maria Newman, Sam Formicola
Violin – Alan Ellsworth, Alicia Engley, Amy Wickman-Guerra*, Dennis Molchan, Edmund Stein, Gerry Hilera*, Igor Pandurski, Kathleen Robertson, Nick Grant (2), Paul Manaster, Reginald Clews, Sai Ly Acosta, Todor Pelev, Xiao Niu He, Zheng Wang
Written-By – Eddie Cooley, John Davenport
3:30
6 Ray Charles With Bonnie Raitt– Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?
Bass – Tom Fowler
Copyist – Brian Benison
Drums – Ray Brinker
Engineer [Assistant] – Andrew Felluss, Bill Kaylor, Ken DeSantis
Guitar – George Marinelli
Guitar [Slide] – Bonnie Raitt
Keyboards – Ray Charles
Piano, Arranged By – Randy Waldman
Recorded By – Ed Thacker
Written-By – Billy Burnette, Michael Smotherman*
4:34
7 Ray Charles With Willie Nelson– It Was A Very Good Year
Arranged By – Victor Vanacore
Bass – Tom Fowler
Bassoon – Dave Riddles, John Mitchell (4)
Cello – Armen Ksajikian, John Acosta (2), Kevan Toreh*, Martha Lippi, Rudolph Stein*, Steve Richards, Suzie Katayama, Yao Zhao
Clarinet – Charles Boito, Don Markese
Concertmaster – Robert Peterson*
Contrabass – Dave Stone (2), Karl Vincent, Kenneth Wild*, Richard Shaw, Tim Christensen (2), Trey Henry
Contractor – Mike Vaccaro*
Copyist – Joe McGuire
Drums – Ray Brinker
Engineer [Additional Engineering] – Mark Fleming
Engineer [Assistant] – Gregg Dennen*
English Horn – Joseph Stone
Flute – Greg Huckins, Stephen Kujala*
French Horn – Joe Meyer, Kurt Snyder, Patricia Skye, Richard Todd
Guitar – Irv Kramer*, Willie Nelson
Harp – Eleanore Choate
Oboe – Leanne Becknell
Percussion – Mark Converse, Wallace Snow
Piano – Randy Waldman
Recorded By – Robert Fernandez
Score [Score Advisor] – David Vanacore
Timpani – Scott Higgins
Viola – Briana Bandy, Carolyn Riley, David Stenske, Ed Persi, John Acevedo, Maria Newman, Raymond Tischer*, Robert Berg, Sam Formicola, Shanti Randall
Violin – Alan Ellsworth, Alwyn Wright, Anatoli Rosinsky*, Armen Garabedian, Berg Garabedian*, Charles Everett, David Kilbride, Dennis Molchan, Edmund Stein, Franklyn D'Antonio, Gerry Hilera*, Horia Moroaica, Igor Pandurski, Joel Derouin, Kathleen Robertson, Kenneth Yerke, Leslie Brown Katz, Mike Markman*, Michelle Richards*, Nancy Roth, Paul Manaster, Reginald Clews, Robert Matsuda, Todor Pelev, Tricia Lee, Vladimir Polimatidi, Xiao Niu He, Yaroslav Kettner, Zheng Wang
Written-By – Ervin Drake
4:59
8 Ray Charles With Michael McDonald– Hey Girl
Arranged By – Victor Vanacore
Bass – Tom Fowler, Trey Henry
Bassoon – Dave Riddles, John Mitchell (4)
Cello – Armen Ksajikian, John Acosta (2), Larry Corbett, Rudolph Stein*, Steve Richards, Yao Zhao
Clarinet – Charles Boito, Don Markese
Concertmaster – Robert Peterson*
Contrabass – Dave Stone (2), Karl Vincent, Kenneth Wild*, Trey Henry
Contractor – Mike Vaccaro*
Copyist – Joe McGuire
Drums – Ray Brinker
Engineer [Assistant] – Gregg Dennen*
Flute – Greg Huckins, Stephen Kujala*
French Horn – Kurt Snyder, Phil Yao, Suzette Moriarty
Guitar – Irv Kramer*
Harp – Eleanore Choate
Keyboards – Michael McDonald
Oboe – Joseph Stone, Leanne Becknell
Percussion – Mark Converse, Wallace Snow
Piano – Randy Waldman
Recorded By – Robert Fernandez
Score [Score Advisor] – David Vanacore
Timpani – Scott Higgins
Trombone – Alex Isles*, Andrew Martin*, Robert Sanders*, Charlie Morillas
Trumpet – Dennis Farias, Kenneth Scharf, Larry Hall, Rick Baptist, Wayne Bergeron
Viola – Briana Bandy, David Stenske, Ed Persi, John Acevedo, Raymond Tischer*, Robert Berg, Sam Formicola
Violin – Alan Ellsworth, Anatoli Rosinsky*, Charles Everett, David Kilbride, Dennis Molchan, Edith Markman, Edmund Stein, Gerry Hilera*, Kathleen Robertson, Kenneth Yerke, Michelle Richards*, Paul Manaster, Reginald Clews, Robert Matsuda, Todor Pelev, Vladimir Polimatidi, Xiao Niu He, Yaroslav Kettner, Zheng Wang
Written-By – Gerald Goffin & Carole King*
5:15
9 Ray Charles With B.B. King– Sinner's Prayer
Bass – Tom Fowler
Drums – Jim Keltner
Engineer [Assistant] – Darrell Thorp
Guitar – B.B. King
Organ [Hammond B3] – Billy Preston
Piano – Ray Charles
Recorded By – Terry Howard
Rhythm Guitar – Irv Kramer*
Written-By – Lloyd C. Glenn*, Lowell Fulson
4:25
10 Ray Charles With Gladys Knight– Heaven Help Us All
Arranged By – Clarence McDonald, David Blumberg, Randy Waldman
Bass – Abraham Laboriel, Sr.*
Choir – Fred Martin And The Levite Camp
Copyist – Ken Gruberman
Drums – James Gadson
Edited By [Digital Editing] – Steve Deutsch
Engineer [Assistant] – Bill Kaylor, Ken DeSantis, Steve Genewick
Guitar – Charles Fearing, Danny Jacob
Organ [Hammond B3] – Billy Preston
Piano – Clarence McDonald
Recorded By – Al Schmitt, Terry Howard
Saxophone – Brandon Fields, Dave Boruff*, Tom Saviano
Trombone – Bob McChesney
Trumpet – Gary Grant, Wayne Bergeron
Vocals [Fred Martin And The Levite Camp] – Alethea Mills, Aminah Ofumbi, Chavonne Morris, Clarissa Watkins, De'Ante Duckett, Irene Madison, James Burney, Loren Turner, Sheven Morris
Vocals [With] – Clydene Jackson Edwards*, Darryl Phinnessee, Janey Clewer Gaitsch*, James Gilstrap*, John West (2), Kevin Dorsey, Rosemary Butler, Terry Woods (2)
Written-By – Ronald Miller
4:32
11 Ray Charles With Johnny Mathis– Over The Rainbow
Arranged By – Victor Vanacore
Bass – Trey Henry
Bassoon – Dave Riddles, John Mitchell (4)
Cello – Armen Ksajikian, John Acosta (2), Larry Corbett, Rudy Stein, Steve Richards, Yao Zhao
Clarinet – Charles Boito, Don Markese
Concertmaster – Robert Peterson*
Contrabass – Dave Stone (2), Karl Vincent, Kenneth Wild*, Trey Henry
Contractor – Mike Vaccaro*
Copyist – Joe McGuire
Drums – Ray Brinker
Engineer [Additional Engineering] – Mark Fleming
Engineer [Assistant] – Bill Kaylor, Gregg Dennen*, Ken DeSantis
Flute – Greg Huckins, Stephen Kujala*
French Horn – Kurt Snyder, Phil Yao, Suzette Moriarty
Harp – Eleanore Choate
Oboe – Joseph Stone, Leanne Becknell
Percussion – Mark Converse, Wallace Snow
Piano – Randy Waldman
Recorded By – Robert Fernandez
Score [Score Advisor] – David Vanacore
Timpani – Scott Higgins
Trombone – Alex Isles*, Andrew Martin*, Robert Sanders*, Charlie Morillas
Trumpet – Dennis Farias, Larry Hall, Rick Baptist, Wayne Bergeron
Viola – Briana Bandy, David Stenske, Ed Persi, John Acevedo, Raymond Tischer*, Robert Berg, Sam Formicola
Violin – Alan Ellsworth, Anatoli Rosinsky*, Charles Everett, David Kilbride, Dennis Molchan, Edith Markman, Edmund Stein, Gerry Hilera*, Kathleen Robertson, Kenneth Yerke, Michelle Richards*, Paul Manaster, Reginald Clews, Robert Matsuda, Todor Pelev, Vladimir Polimatidi, Xiao Niu He, Yaroslav Kettner, Zheng Wang
Written-By – E.Y. Harburg, Harold Arlen
4:54
12 Ray Charles With Van Morrison– Crazy Love (Live)
Backing Vocals – Fonzi Thornton, Tawatha Agee*, Vaneese Thomas
Bass – David Hayes
Conductor – Rob Mathes
Coordinator [Production] – Jill Dell'Abate
Drums – Shawn Pelton
Engineer [Assistant] – Casey Phariss, Hardi Kamsani, Joel Singer
Guitar – Jeff Mironov
Keyboards – Michael Beardon*
Percussion – Bashiri Johnson
Recorded By – John Harris
Tenor Saxophone – Charles Pillow, Martin Winning
Trumpet – Jeff Kievit, Matthew Holland*, Tony Kadleck
Written-By – Van Morrison

Charles sings popular songs, alternately with a swing band and with orchestra and chorus.

3/4 (Good).

It's not particularly country or western, and it was definitely not modern. I like the idea of a Ray Charles album that focuses on his voice; he's got one of the best. But why is it made up almost entirely of songs that already had iconic versions? And why does it need to sound like he's a Nat King Cole imitator circa 1957?

(Nov. 2019)½

Charles sings duets.

2/4 (Indifferent).

He's very old, and not really able to do much singing anymore. And most of the other singers don't blend well with him. It makes me sad that this album was probably a generation's introduction to Ray Charles.½

CHECK SHELVES

"If you wash yourself in anger, you never have clean hands."

Definitely recommended for biography fans. Unlike some of them, it doesn't skirt the intimate moments, hide the truths, or avoid controversy.

Ray Charles was definitely an impressive man - how could someone say he was not? Blinded as a child, he never let it slow him down. Blind, he learned how to ride a bike and cruised around the neighborhood. He went by himself to a school for the blind at a young age. After his mother's death, he traveled states blind and alone, finding bus stops and night clubs and hotels in each strange new city. He blended different genres of music, tried things not successful before, made them work. He learned to play different instruments, sharpened his voice to be a beautiful instrument of music. One day he decided to kick heroin for the sake of his son and admitted himself, refusing the help of the come-down drugs and other methods, to the point where the hospital staff didn't believe he wasn't using until they saw the tests for themselves, and he never went back to it.

Brother Ray is an honest biography told through his words, dictated by a biographer. He speaks fondly of his childhood - which to me sounds quite sad but he lives it up as a happy time. He saw his brother die before his eyes outside when they swimming in a barrel and he froze, unable to save him - he went through going blind at a young age and having to leave the only home he knew and his mother, and then hearing about her death through a letter. They were about as poor as people can be, but he still remained happy and carefree. It was inspiring and one of the best parts.

The bulk of the book is, of course, about music. The four rating over five is because sometimes this got too much for me to see the repetitive movements between towns, records, gigs, songs, and new band members. The repetition prompted enjoyment from me, but to where I needed breaks from reading it. It would blend together a little too often and too much to get a five star interest - but for honesty it's certainly five stars.

He spoke freely of sex, of which he was a big fan. It was funny but he'd randomly come out with something sexual while speaking of something else. One moment he mentions a masturbation game the boys at the blind school would do - lay in a circle and have a contest masturbating. Another time he randomly talked about refusing oral sex received because he'd never delivered, and that he didn't think it was right to do that, so proceeds to tell about his first experience in a club. There was a small tidbit about 'parties' (cough - orgies?) later on, and he made it clear he didn't see anything wrong with sleeping with other women while you were married and 'respectful' about it.

He also saw little downfall for him with drugs but made clear he knew how some people fell apart over it, couldn't shake it, and how it ruined them. He didn't speak too much on the drug details but enough that I got a clear picture, mentioning his busts and his stint in rehab, but it was the tears of his son that really affected him to do the change.

While he doesn't go into detail on the Georgia scandal that prompted 'Georgia on my mind', he mentions racism often, peppered from childhood (where he didn't pay much attention to the areas of town he couldn't go and didn't really notice till later) to adulthood, where he spoke of respect for Martin Luther King (but didn't march in his march because he refused to be non-violent if he was physically attacked, so financially supported instead) and his personal experiences. It was honest, interesting, and non-biased - he was not racist himself and found it odd how as a child was segregated from the girls at the blind school since he was a boy, but then segregated from the other white blind kids. Certainly it wasn't the kids who could see their differences.

His views on religion were interesting and brought up more in his older years toward the end of the book. He believed in God but struggled with the concept of Jesus being God's son, since the Jews themselves rejected Him as the messiah. He also didn't believe in middlemen in prayer, said the Lord's prayer every night, and didn't care which denomination he attended - he loved the gospel and found much of his heart in it. He was a firm believer for most of the book that he himself had overcome and gotten him where it got him, not God, and that to bother God for everything would 'try his patience.'

He does tell of some near scares traveling through flying, one in particular where everyone said only a miracle was the answer, but was confused to point out that others weren't so lucky.

It was touching to read the afterword written by the biographer. Actually it's a must-do if you read this. You must. It was so sad, however, for Ray Charles feared two things only in this life - deafness and cancer. He believed to be deaf and without music would not be bearable, and this was brought in force by a scare he had in an ear that had a poisonous lump. He feared cancer and said that being eaten away and being reduced was the worst thing he could imagine, and he said as a closing that he did ask God not to have either deafness or cancer.

In the afterword we sadly learn that many years later he does develop cancer, and he fights it strong, telling the biographer and personal friend that he'd beat it and get better. He became more reflective on God and came to accept Jesus and give Him more thought. He saw more credit owed to Him for strength and how much he was carried through life. He started having some regrets about bad words said in the bands, harshness sometimes and loss of patience. He dwindled away as he feared and his voice was reduced to a whisper, his body bowed and in pain for his final speech in front of many. He said into the mike that he was getting stronger, and six weeks later the biographer learned he was dead. Tragic, but he does say several times in the book that he learned in life that death comes for all and is the only thing that can't be bargained with. Still sad.

An excellent book that's honest, deep, and detailed. He muses about morals, faith, music, coming into your own style, the need of mimicking others first, racism, mothers and fathers, children, paternity suits, the law and following honor systems, the joys of roaming the road, the joys of having a childhood home. It was clearly put through his own voice, his own words, his own unique dialect and style of speech.

His last paragraph in the book: "Sometimes my dreams are so deep that I dream that I'm dreaming. I wake up inside myself. I watch myself sleeping and I look like a baby or a boy - tired from playing all the day long, a small soul hungry for peace and rest."

1. Leave My Woman Alone
2. Lonely Avenue
3. Rockhouse Parts 1 & 2
4. I Believe To My Soul
5. Losing Hand
6. I'm Movin' On
7. But On The Other Hand
8. Baby, It's Cold Outside
9. The Danger Zone
10. Busted
11. Makin' Whoopee
12. Let's Go Get Stoned
13. Drifting Blues
14. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand
15. Drown In My Own Tears/ You Don't Know Me
16. Every Day Have The Blues
17. America The Beautiful