Ray Charles
Ray Charles was a pioneering American singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer who blended gospel, blues, rhythm and blues, jazz, and country to invent soul music. Born Ray Charles Robinson on September 23, 1930, in Albany, Georgia, he became blind by age seven due to glaucoma and overcame profound personal tragedies to achieve legendary status.
Ray Charles grew up in poverty in Greenville, Florida, after his family relocated there shortly after his birth. He witnessed his younger brother's drowning at age four and lost both parents by age 15—his mother to malnutrition-related illness and his father later. At the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind in St. Augustine, he mastered Braille music and piano, drawing early inspiration from artists like Nat King Cole and Art Tatum.
At 16, Charles moved to Seattle in 1948, where he formed a combo and released his debut single "Confession Blues" with the Maxin Trio in 1949, reaching number two on the R&B chart. He toured as musical director for Lowell Fulson, then signed with Atlantic Records in 1952, scoring early hits like "Mess Around" and pioneering soul with "I've Got a Woman" in 1954.
Charles's 1959 single "What'd I Say" became a massive crossover hit, blending gospel fervor with secular R&B. Signing with ABC-Paramount in 1960, he earned his first Grammy for "Georgia on My Mind" and dominated charts with "Hit the Road Jack," "I Can't Stop Loving You," and the genre-busting Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music albums in 1962, which integrated country into his sound.
Founding Tangerine Records in 1962, Charles maintained artistic control rare for Black artists, releasing hits like "Busted" while battling heroin addiction—he was arrested in 1965 but achieved sobriety by 1966. He earned 17 Grammys (including five posthumously), Kennedy Center Honors, and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
Charles had 12 children by several women, including with singers Margie Hendrix and Della Beatrice Howard Robinson. He died on June 10, 2004, at age 73 in Beverly Hills from liver disease, after recording over 60 albums and 10,000 shows; his funeral drew stars like B.B. King.
Crying Time
Written-By – Buck Owens 2:53
A2 No Use Crying
Written-By – Freddie Lee Kober, J. B. Daniels, Roy Gaines 3:15
A3 Let's Go Get Stoned
Written-By – J. Armstead, N. Ashford, V. Simpson 2:57
A4 Going Down Slow
Written-By – James B. Oden 3:59
A5 Peace Of Mind
Written-By – Jimmy Holiday, Ray Charles 2:08
A6 Tears
Written-By – Norman Newell, Robert Maxwell 4:31
B1 Drifting Blues
Written By – Eddie E Williams
Written-By – Charles Brown, Johnny Moore 6:20
B2 We Don't See Eye To Eye
Written-By – Percy Mayfield 2:17
B3 You're In For A Big Surprise
Written-By – Percy Mayfield 3:28
B4 You're Just About To Lose Your Clown
Written-By – Johnny MacRae 1:54
B5 Don't You Think I Ought To Know
Written-By – Melvin Wettergreen, William Johnsohn 3:01
B6 You've Got A Problem
Written-By – Freddy James, William D. Weeks 3:24
Label: ABC-Paramount – ABC-544
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1966
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Rhythm & Blues
Ray Charles' 1966 Crying Time album, praised for its thematic focus on heartbreak and featuring hits like the title track and "Let's Go Get Stoned," is seen as a strong, if sometimes uneven, continuation of his blend of blues, soul, and country, showcasing his genius with poignant ballads and energetic numbers, though some critics found the strings overly sentimental; it marked a peak before a commercial dip, yet remains a solid listen, especially the masterful "No Use Crying" and "Drifting Blues".
The album's unifying theme is sadness and crying, but Charles infuses these songs with hope, turning misery into something comforting.
It continues his signature mix of big band soul, blues, and country-tinged ballads, with prominent use of lush strings.
Reviewers highlight how even familiar styles sound fresh and definitive in Charles' hands, solidifying his "genius" status.
Standout Tracks:
"Crying Time": A major hit, this country-flavored track (originally by Buck Owens) seamlessly fits Charles' style.
"No Use Crying": Often cited as the album's centerpiece, a deeply moving and beautiful blues ballad.
"Let's Go Get Stoned": A notable hit that's both fun and fitting for the era.
"Peace of Mind" & "You've Got a Problem": Offer energetic, swinging blues moments, though some find the strings overbearing.
While many appreciate the rich production, some listeners find the heavy string arrangements on ballads like "Tears" overly sentimental or clichéd.
It's considered a great album that might be overlooked but deserves attention for its emotional depth and musical quality.
Genius + Soul = Jazz
Written-By – Ray Charles
3:30
A2 I've Got News For You
Written-By – Ray Alfred
4:28
A3 Moanin'
Written-By – Bobby Timmons
3:14
A4 Let's Go
Written-By – Ray Charles
2:39
A5 One Mint Julep
Written-By – Randolph Toombs
3:02
B1 I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town
Written-By – Roy Jacobs, William Weldon
3:38
B2 Stompin' Room Only
Written-By – Howard Marks (4)
3:35
B3 Mister C
Written-By – Ray Charles
4:28
B4 Strike Up The Band
Written-By – George & Ira Gershwin
2:35
B5 Birth Of The Blues
Written-By – DeSylva, Brown & Henderson
5:05
Label: Impulse! – A-2
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1961
Genre: R&B Jazz, Blues, Soul
Style: Soul, Soul-Jazz, Big Band
Ray Charles' Genius + Soul = Jazz (1961) is widely praised as a masterful blend of his soulful vocals and hard-bop jazz, featuring tight big band arrangements by Quincy Jones and Ralph Burns, showcasing his piano skills and powerful voice on tracks like "I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town," "Moanin'," and "I've Got News for You," creating an essential, swinging, and deeply satisfying album for fans of both jazz and soul.
The album successfully merges Ray's innate soulfulness with classic jazz, delivering both fiery instrumentals and heartfelt vocals, living up to its title. It features dynamic arrangements from jazz legends Quincy Jones and Ralph Burns, with top-tier musicians from the Count Basie orbit providing rich backing.
Listeners are reminded of Charles' incredible voice on bluesy numbers like "I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town" and his swinging organ/piano work on instrumentals like "Stompin' Room Only".
Notable cuts include the funky "Booty-Butt," the iconic "Moanin'," the bluesy "I've Got News for You," and the Spanish-tinged "Senor Blues".
While not overly innovative for Charles, it's celebrated for being "good, solid jazz and blues, played by masters," making it a definitive work in his jazz catalog.
Critics laud it as a high point in his jazz explorations, a cohesive collection that serves as a great introduction to his jazz artistry.
Reissues are often praised for improved sound quality, bringing out the warmth of the organ and the power of the big band.
In essence, Genius + Soul = Jazz is a classic, demonstrating Ray Charles as a master of big band jazz, delivering an exciting and soulful listening experience.
Ingredients In A Recipe For Soul
Written-By – Harlan Howard 2:06
A2 Where Can I Go?
Written-By – Leo Fuld, Sigmunt Berland, Sonny Miller 3:29
A3 Born To Be Blue
Written-By – Mel Tormé, Robert Wells 2:53
A4 That Lucky Old Sun
Backing Vocals – The Jack Halloran Singers
Written-By – Beasley Smith, Haven Gillespie 4:20
A5 Ol' Man River
Backing Vocals – The Jack Halloran Singers
Written-By – Hammerstein-Kern 5:35
B1 In The Evening (When The Sun Goes Down)
Written-By – Leroy Carr 5:50
B2 A Stranger In Town
Written-By – Mel Tormé 2:25
B3 Ol' Man Time
Written-By – Cliff Friend 2:25
B4 Over The Rainbow
Backing Vocals – The Jack Halloran Singers
Written-By – E.Y. Harburg, Harold Arlen 4:07
B5 You'll Never Walk Alone
Written-By – Rodgers & Hammerstein 3:53
Label: ABC-Paramount – ABC-465
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Country: US
Released: 1963
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Rhythm & Blues, Soul
Ray Charles’ 1963 album, Ingredients in a Recipe for Soul, is widely regarded as a masterful consolidation of the genre-blending style he pioneered earlier in the decade. Peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard charts upon its release, the album established a definitive template for his later career by successfully mixing country, jazz, standards, and R&B into a singular "Ray Charles" sound.
Critics frequently highlight the album as a "neglected masterpiece" that proved Charles was no longer just an R&B artist but a "genre unto himself".
Reviews consistently praise Charles’ "malleable, commanding voice" and "immense inner confidence," which allow him to breathe new life into older standards.
The album features sophisticated, less "syrupy" orchestral work compared to his previous efforts, with arrangements from Marty Paich, Benny Carter, and Sid Feller.
While generally acclaimed, some critics find the backing vocalists—specifically the Jack Halloran Singers—to be "whitebread" or "stark" in contrast to Charles’ soulful grit, particularly on tracks like "Ol' Man River".
Key Tracks:
"Busted": A major hit described as "jazzy and tough," often cited as the album's definitive single.
"That Lucky Old Sun": Widely considered a masterpiece for its emotional delivery and powerful climax.
"Ol' Man River": A controversial but striking reinterpretation that remains a focal point for discussion among reviewers.
"Born to Be Blue": A Mel Tormé cover that showcases Charles' "after-hours ballad" style.
In 2025, the album received its first official vinyl reissue in over 50 years, featuring fully restored and remastered audio produced in cooperation with the Ray Charles Foundation. This reissue includes bonus tracks such as a bluesy cover of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" and a duet with Margie Hendrix on "My Baby (I Love Her, Yes I Do)".
The Original Ray Charles
A2 Honey, Honey
A3 Ray Charles Blues
A4 Don't Put All Your Dreams In One Basket
A5 St. Pete Florida Blues
A6 You Always Miss The Water (When The Well Goes Dry)
B1 Jack, She's On The Ball
B2 Can Anyone Ask For More
B3 Let's Have A Ball
B4 If I Give You My Love
B5 Sitting On The Top Of The World
B6 I've Had My Fun
Label: Hollywood Records – HLP 504
Format: Vinyl, LP, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 1961
Genre: R&B Jazz
Style: Jazz-Soul
The Original Ray Charles (Hollywood Records – HLP 504) is a compilation album that gathers early tracks from Ray Charles’s tenure with the Swing Time and Down Beat labels. While not a studio-concept album like his later 1961 works (Genius + Soul = Jazz), it provides a historical look at his formative years.
The album primarily features jazz and jump blues. Unlike the soul and gospel-infused sound that defined his later Atlantic Records era, these recordings showcase a younger Charles heavily influenced by the Nat King Cole trio and Charles Brown.
The 12-track collection includes several of Charles's earliest recordings. Critics view this material as the foundation of his career, capturing the "ancient standards" and early R&B sounds he would later revolutionize.
Listeners often note the "50s sound" and Charles’s exceptional piano skills, though the production lacks the "soul whammy" of his later, more refined big-band arrangements.
While later reissues (such as those by Analogue Productions) have improved the audio quality of early Charles recordings, the original 1961 Hollywood pressing is a standard mono production typical of early 1960s budget or compilation labels.
In essence, The Original Ray Charles serves as a vital historical document of Ray Charles's burgeoning talent, a must-have for deep fans wanting to hear the roots of the legend before his mainstream explosion.