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Artist's Choice: Ray Charles
Ray Charles

 Released 2003

The 16 selections on this Artist's Choice CD might surprise casual listeners whose knowledge of Charles' impressive body of recorded work is confined to one or more of his "signature" tunes, like "Georgia on My Mind," "Hit the Road, Jack," or "What'd I Say." In fact, Charles is a stylistic chameleon whose musical vision has always been much larger than any single collection of his hits. He was an accomplished blues vocalist and soul/jazz piano player even before he cut his first record on Atlantic in 1952 at the age of 22, and he led a terrific touring jazz band in the late '50s and early '60s, populated with such great players as alto saxophonist Hank Crawford and tenor David "Fathead" Newman. In his autobiography, Charles maintains that music was "a necessity for me -- like food or water," and throughout his formative years as an artist, he soaked up musical influences like a sponge. So when the Hear Music folks put Charles to the task and asked him the Artist's Choice question about "music that matters," Charles delivered a veritable graduate course in music education. As a pianist, Charles pays tribute to his keyboard mentors and contemporaries, from boogie-woogie innovator Pete Johnson to Nat King Cole (who, like Charles, was an acclaimed keyboard artist before he was celebrated as a vocalist). Charles selects a bluesy, understated piece by pianist Hank Jones, but also includes tour de force efforts by Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson, two piano virtuosos who Charles admires enormously but never tried to emulate. (The criteria for Charles, as always, is their creativity.) Charles also acknowledges his big-band influences with a Duke Ellington version of "Solitude," a gorgeous version of "Stardust" by the Artie Shaw big band, and a Quincy Jones rendition of the jazz/funk classic "Moanin'." Miles Davis is name-checked and represented with "My Funny Valentine," and Charles selects a Charlie Parker/Dizzy Gillespie version of "My Melancholy Baby," to which Charles adds his colorful observations on Parker's playing -- "...by the time you think you've learned what he played, he went to some other place. You understand? That's creativity." Of course, most contemporary listeners think of Charles as a vocalist, and his vocal selections are equally eclectic and edifying. Along with Nat King Cole's "Sweet Lorraine," Charles chooses the equally smooth, urban "Driftin' Blues" of vocalist (and pianist) Charles Brown. Both men were huge influences on Charles early in his career. Jimmy Rushing, a great blues shouter, is given the Charles stamp of approval with "Sent for You Yesterday (And Here You Come Today)," and a young and very swinging Ella Fitzgerald offers a live version of "Mack the Knife." Charles honors his gospel roots in a selection by the legendary Swan Silvertones, and he confides in his liner note comments that he actually sang with the Swan Silvertones and also the Dixie Hummingbirds -- although he was never officially a member of either group. Gospel influences are also highlighted in his choice of Aretha Franklin's "Respect," although in this case it was undoubtedly Charles who was the dominant influence on the younger Franklin. Charles ends this highly entertaining musical biography with a 1981 recording of "Always on My Mind" by country maverick Willie Nelson, a masterful vocalist whose own singing parallels Charles' expressive phrasing and his soulful way with a melody. ~ Bill Tilland, All Music Guide

TRACKS

1. Boo Woo
2. Solitude
3. Stardust
4. Sweet Lorraine
5. How High the Moon [Live]
6. Driftin' Blues
7. My Melancholy Baby
8. Sent for You Yesterday (And Here You Come Today)
9. We're All Together
10. My Funny Valentine
11. Mack the Knife
12. Moanin'
13. Brotherhood of Man
14. Mary Don't You Weep
15. Respect
16. Always on My Mind


:: Back to Ray Charles

:: View more Georgia rhythm & blues artists.

 

Main Releases

Best of Ray Charles [Echo Bridge] (2006)

Genius & Friends (2005)

At Newport (2005)

In Concert: I Can't Stop Loving You (live) (2005)

Live at the Olympia 2000 (live) (2005)

Genius Loves Company (enhanced CD-ROM) (2004)

Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival (live) (2002)

Thanks for Bringing Love Around Again (2002)

Strong Love Affair (1996)

My World (1993)

Would You Believe? (1990)

Just Between Us (1988)

From the Pages of My Mind (1986)

Friendship (1984)

Do I Ever Cross Your Mind? (1984)

Wish You Were Here Tonight (1983)

Brother Ray Is at It Again (1980)

Ain't It So (1979)

Love & Peace (1978)

True to Life (1977)

Porgy & Bess (1976)

My Kind of Jazz, Pt. 3 (1975)

Renaissance (1975)

World of Ray Charles, Vol. 2 (1975)

Live in Japan (live) (1975)

Come Live with Me (1974)

My Kind of Jazz, Number 2 (1973)

Genius in Concert L.A. (live) (1973)

Through the Eyes of Love (1972)

A Message from the People (1972)

Presents the Raelettes (1972)

Volcanic Action of My Soul (1971)

My Kind of Jazz (1970)

Love Country Style (1970)

I'm All Yours-Baby! (1969)

Doing His Thing (1969)

Ray Charles Invites You to Listen (1967)

A Man & His Soul (1967)

Ray's Moods (1966)

Crying Time (1966)

Country & Western Meets Rhythm & Blues (1965)

Live in Concert (live) (1965)

Sweet & Sour Tears (1964)

Have a Smile With Me (1964)

Ingredients in a Recipe for Soul (1963)

Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, Vol. 2 (1962)

Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music (1962)

Spotlight on Ray Charles (1962)

Hallelujah I Love Her So! (1962)

Do the Twist With Ray Charles! (1961)

The Genius Sings the Blues (1961)

Ray Charles and Betty Carter (1961 - 1966)

Dedicated to You (1961)

The Genius After Hours (1961)

Soul Meeting (1961)

Ray Charles in Person (1960)

The Genius Hits the Road (1960)

Genius + Soul = Jazz (1960)

Ray Charles Sextet (1960)

What'd I Say (live) (1959)

The Genius of Ray Charles (1959)

Yes, Indeed!! (1958)

Ray Charles at Newport (live) (1958)

Soul Brothers (1958)

Ray Charles [Atlantic] (1957)

The Great Ray Charles (1957)

EPs

Busted (1966)

Ballad Style of Ray Charles (1965)

Swinging Style (1965)

Baby It's Cold Outside (1965)

Take These Chains (1965)

Ray Charles Sings (1965)

Ballad of Ray Charles (1964)

I Can't Stop Loving You [EP] (1963)

Hit the Road Jack [EP] (1962)

Basin Street Blues (1960)

Collections

Ray Charles & Friends [Stardust] (2007)

Artist's Choice: Ray Charles (2003)

Soundtracks

Ray [Original Soundtrack] (2004)

Cincinnati Kid [Soundtrack] (1965)

Christmas

Ray Charles Celebrates A Gospel Christmas With The Voices Of Jubilation! [Video/DVD] (enhanced CD-ROM) (2003)

The Spirit of Christmas (1985)

Singles

I'm Movin' On

Here We Go Again [Australia CD] (2005)

Ellie My Love (2004)

I'll Be There/Still Crazy After All These Years (1993)

Song for You (1993)

Fresh out of Tears (1991)

Living Without You (1991)

I'll Take Care Of (1990)

Seven Spanish Angels [Single] (1988)

What'd I Say [Single] (1975)

Compilations

Great Hits [Longines]

Ray Charles [Bella Musica]

In Session, Vol. 1

Super Hits [Onyx]

16 Greatest Hits

Atlantic Singles

Greatest Ever!

The Very Best of Ray Charles [Phantom]

Les Incontournables

Visionary Soul

Best of Hits (2008)

The Gold Album (2008)

Music of Your Life: Best of Ray Charles (2008)

Ray Charles [Direct Source] (2007)

Originals: Ray Charles (2007)

Ray Charles: Trilogy (2007)

The Way I Feel (2007)

Ray Charles [St. Clair] (2007)

R&B Soul: Ray Charles/Percy Sledge (2007)

Forever Ray Charles (enhanced CD-ROM) (2007)

Best of Ray Charles [Direct Source] (2007)

Early Hits: The Hollywood Years (2007)

Signature (2007)

Very Best of Ray Charles [Greatest Hits] (2007)

Let the Good Times Roll (2007)

Blues Before Sunrise [SNP] (2007)

Story Songs and Voices of the Blues (2007)

Forever Gold: Ray Charles (live) (2007)

Disc 1 (2007)

Disc 2 (2007)

The Way I Feel: It Should've Been Me (2007)

The Way I Feel: I Got a Woman (2007)

The Way I Feel: Lonely Avenue (2007)

The Way I Feel: Confession Blues (2007)

Alone in the City [Synergie] (2006)

Ray Charles [Promo Sound] (2006)

Definitive Gold (box set) (2006)

Genius [United States Dist.] (2006)

46 Titres Originaux (2006)

Let the Good Times Roll: Solitudes Series (2006)

Heart and Soul (2006)

Ray Charles with the Voices of Jubilation (enhanced CD-ROM) (2006)

Ray Sings, Basie Swings (2006)

Mastercuts (2006)

18 Greatest (2006)

The Definitive Soul Collection (2006)

Here's Ray Charles (2006)

The Distinctive Ray Charles (2006)

Golden Favorites (2006)

Blues Is My Middle Name [Creative Sounds] (2006)

The Very Best of Ray Charles [Mastersong] (2006)

Ray Charles [Membran] (box set) (2006)

The Essentials [Big Eye] (2006)

R&B Soul (2006)

Best of Ray Charles [Platinum Disc] (2006)

Ray Charles: Unreleased (2006)

Golden Legends: Ray Charles Live [Madacy] (live) (2006)

Blues Before Sunrise [RKO] (2006)

Golden Legends: Ray Charles Live (live) (2006)

The Ray Charles Collection (2005)

Genius Remixed [Musicom] (2005)

At Newport/Genius of Ray Charles/Great Ray Charles (2005)

Ray Charles [Dynamic] (2005)

The Right Time: The Platinum Collection (2005)

Pure Genius: The Complete Atlantic Recordings (1952-1959) (2005)

Sinner's Prayers 1951-54 (2005)

45 Classic Songs (2005)

Genius Remixed [Hypnotic] (2005)

Blues Is My Middle Name [Pazzazz] (2005)

Can Anyone Ask for More? (2005)

Soul Genius - Live (live) (2005)

Here We Go Again/I Chose to Sing the Blues (2005)

Legend: The Best of the Early Years (2005)

Rhino Hi-Five: Ray Charles (2005)

The Soul of a Genius (enhanced CD-ROM) (2005)

1953-1954 (2005)

Late in the Evening [Pazzazz] (2005)

Essential [Newsound] (2005)

The Atlantic Story 1952-1954 (2005)

The Genius Sings Country and Western (2005)

The One and Only (2005)

In Concert [Movieplay] (live) (2005)

Anthology [United Multi Consign] (box set) (2005)

I Chose to Sing the Blues (2005)

America the Beautiful (2005)

Early Years: Rediscovered Gems (2005)

Genius Anthology (2005)

Brother Ray (2005)

Ray Charles Live [St. Clair] (live) (box set) (2005)

Ray Charles [Box Set] (box set) (2005)

Ray Charles [This Is Gold] (2005)

Georgia on My Mind [Double Play] (2005)

Blues Before Sunrise [Pazzazz] (2005)

More Music from Ray (2005)

Moments and Memories (2005)

Brother Ray's Blues [Synergy] (2005)

Great Ray Charles [Rajon] (2005)

Ray Charles [Madacy 2 CD] (2005)

In the Beginning 1949-1952 (2004)

Ray Charles [Columbia River] (2004)

The Best of Ray Charles: Live (live) (2004)

I Got a Woman (2004)

Sittin' on Top of the World [Blue Moon] (2004)

Rockin' Records: The Best Original Tracks You've Never Heard (2004)

Ray Charles Celebrates a Gospel Christmas (enhanced CD-ROM) (2004)

This Is Gold (box set) (2004)

American Soul (2004)

Hey Now/Let's Have a Ball (2004)

Ray Charles Sings and Plays the Blues (2004)

Jazz Biography Series (2004)

Georgia on My Mind/Rockin' Chair Blues (2004)

Ain't That Fun (2004)

Live in Berlin 1962 (live) (2004)

Very Best of Ray Charles [WEA] (2004)

Mess Around (2004)

Ray Charles [Madacy] (2004)

Music Legends - Ray Charles: Ray's Blues (2004)

Live Series (live) (2004)

Rockin' Chair Blues [Delta] (2004)

Going Down Slow [Delta] (2004)

Let's Have A Ball [Delta] (2004)

In Concert (live) (2004)

Let's Have a Ball [Direct Source] (2004)

Hey Now [Direct Source] (2004)

This Is Gold [Disc 3] (2004)

This Is Gold [Disc 2] (2004)

This Is Gold [Disc 1] (2004)

45 Great Performances (2003)

Ray Charles In Concert (live) (2003)

Classic American Voices (2003)

Hall of Fame (2003)

Ray, Rare and Live (live) (2003)

Here We Go Again (2003)

Genius [Prism] (2003)

Blues Before Sunrise [Dynamic] (2003)

Ultimate Legends: Ray Charles (2003)

1950-1952 (2003)

Genius of Soul Live (live) (2003)

Georgia on My Mind [Prism] (2003)

Classics [Vivid] (2002)

Ray's Blues [Past Perfect] (2002)

A Sentimental Blues (2002)

Don't Put All Your Dreams in One Basket (2002)

Ray Charles Sings for America (2002)

Essential Collection [Cleopatra] (2002)

Blues Before Sunrise [ZYX] (2002)

Ray Charles [Time Music] (2002)

Ray's Blues [BCI] (2002)

Genius [TKO] (live) (2002)

Blues Is My Middle Name [K-Tel] (2002)

Late in the Evening [Park South/Town Sound] (2002)

Honey Honey (2002)

Definitive Ray Charles (2001)

1949-1950 (2001)

Rocking Chair Blues [Redx] (2001)

Confession Blues (2001)

Star Power: Ray Charles (2001)

How Long Blues (2001)

Blues Is My Middle Name [King Jazz] (2001)

Cocktail Hour (2001)

Best of Ray Charles [Appla] (2001)

Georgia on My Mind [Laserlight] (2001)

Georgia on My Mind [Mastersound] (2000)

The Very Best of Ray Charles, Vol. 2 (2000)

Sittin' on Top of the World [Legacy] (2000)

20 Golden Classics (2000)

High Profile (2000)

Golden Legends [Direct Source] (live) (2000)

Let's Have a Ball [Catfish] (2000)

Le Genius of Soul [Wea International] (2000)

The Very Best of Ray Charles [Rhino] (2000)

Ray Charles: Magic Collection (2000)

Great Ray Charles [Platinum Disc] (2000)

Midnight Blues (2000)

Forever Gold [Single Disc] (1999)

Forever Gold [Double Disc] (1999)

Blues & Soul Greats (1999)

Greatest Hits [Charly] (1999)

Ultimate Hits Collection (1999)

The Genius of Ray Charles [Madacy] (1999)

Blues Is My Middle Name [Rivie're] (1999)

Love Songs [Rhino] (1999)

Goin' Down Slow (1999)

Sittin' on Top of the World [Mastertone] (1998)

Complete Country & Western Recordings 1959-1986 (1998)

Ray Charles [Goldies] (1998)

Gold Collection [Retro] (1998)

Instrumentals (1998)

Duets (1998)

In Concert [Rhino] (live) (1998)

Standards (1998)

Super Hits [Sony] (1998)

Ray Charles and Betty Carter/Dedicated to You (1998)

Revue Collection (1997)

Blues is My Middle Name [Crown Collection] (1997)

Sittin' on Top of the World [Pilz] (1997)

Genius & Soul: The 50th Anniversary Collection (box set) (1997)

Ray Charles: Members Edition (1997)

Ingredients in a Recipe for Soul/Have a Smile with Me (1997)

Genius + Soul = Jazz/My Kind of Jazz (1997)

I've Got a Woman & Other Hits (1997)

The Complete Swing Time & Down Beat Recordings 1949-1952 (1997)

Platinum Collection (1997)

Alone in the City [Remember] (1996)

Great (1996)

Berlin, 1962 (live) (1996)

Walkin' & Talkin' (1996)

She's on the Ball (1996)

Genius of Ray Charles [Deuce] (1996)

See See Rider (1996)

Best of Easy Listening (1996)

Sings the Blues, Vols. 1 & 2 (1996)

C.C. Rider [Drive] (1995)

Sentimental As I Can (1995)

Swing Time Jive (1995)

Brother Ray Rocks Rhythm & Blues (1995)

Blues Is My Middle Name [St. Clair] (1995)

Ray Sings the Blues (1995)

Classics (1995)

It's a Blues Thing (live) (1995)

Gold Collection [Deja Vu] (1994)

Classic Years [Prestige] (1994)

Ray Charles [Tristar] (1994)

Session, Vol. 2 (1994)

Rock + Soul = Genius (1994)

The Best of Ray Charles: The Atlantic Years (1994)

The Early Years [Legacy] (1994)

Ain't That Fine (1994)

The Early Years [Fat Boy/Tomato] (1994)

The Very Best of Ray Charles [Carrere] (1994)

The Collection, Vol. 2 (1993)

The Real Ray Charles (1993)

Blues + Jazz (1993)

The World of Ray Charles [Garland] (box set) (1993)

The Collection [Castle] (1992)

His Greatest Hits (1992)

The Birth of a Legend (1992)

20 Golden Hits [Huub] (1991)

Greatest Country & Western Hits (1991)

Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 [Huub] (1991)

The Birth of Soul (box set) (1991)

Rhythm & Blues: Ray Charles - 1954-1966 (1991)

Greatest (1990)

20 Golden Pieces of Ray Charles (1990)

Collection [Star Jazz] (1990)

Anthology (1989)

Seven Spanish Angels & Other Hits (1989)

Soul Brothers/Soul Meeting (1989)

Blues Is My Middle Name [Prime Cuts] (1989)

18 Golden Hits (1989)

Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 (1988)

Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 (1988)

Greatest Country and Western Hits (1988)

Collection: The Love Songs (1988)

The Genius 20 Greatest Hits (1988)

Georgia on My Mind [Joker] (1988)

Hits of a Genius (1988)

I Can't Stop Loving You [Colorado] (1988)

Legend Lives (1988)

The Love Songs [Deja Vu] (1988)

The Early Years [Zeta] (1988)

Genius After Hours/Great Ray Charles (1987)

His Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 [DCC] (1987)

His Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 [DCC] (1987)

16 Original Hits (1987)

20 Greatest Hits (1987)

1950 (1987)

Ray Charles [Entertainers] (1987)

The Right Time (1987)

This Love of Mine (1987)

14 Original Greatest Hits (1987)

Sings 28 Great Songs (1987)

Country Side of Ray Charles (1986)

The Fantastic (1985)

Can't Stop Loving You (1985)

Collection 20 Golden Greats (1985)

Hit the Road Jack [Platinum] (1985)

Going Down Slow [Intermedia] (1984)

Jammin' the Blues (1984)

CC Rider (1984)

Tell the Truth (1984)

Ray Charles Blues (1984)

Here I Am (1983)

What Is Life? (1983)

A Life in Music (1982)

I Give You My Love (1982)

Great Hits [Phoenix] (1982)

Ray Charles, Vol. 2 (1981)

Everything (1980)

Heart to Heart: 20 Hot Hits (1980)

I Can't Stop Loving You [Pickwick] (1980)

Simply Ray (1980)

Rockin' with Ray (1980)

A Ray of Hope (1980)

3 of a Kind (197?)

Incomparable (197?)

The Best of Ray Charles [Polydor] (197?)

The Great R C (197?)

Best of Ray Charles [MCP] (197?)

Superdisc of Ray Charles (1979)

King of the Blues (1979)

Early Years [King] (1978)

Star Collection (1978)

Blues [Ember] (1978)

The Fabulous Ray Charles [Musidisc] (1978)

What Have They Done to Their Song (1977)

Focus on Ray Charles (1975)

Ray Charles [Up Front] (1975)

Greatest Hits [Crossover] (1974)

World of Ray Charles [Argo] (1974)

Ray Charles Live [Atlantic] (live) (1973)

All Time Great C&W Hits (1973)

The Original Ray Charles [Boulevard] (1972)

A 25th Anniversary in Show Business Salute to Ray Charles (1971)

The Best of Ray Charles [Atlantic] (1970)

Ray Charles [Everest] (1970)

Le Grand (196?)

A Portrait of Ray (1968)

Memories of a Middle Aged Man (1968)

The Ray Charles Story, Vol. 4 (1964)

Great Hits Recorded on 8-Track Stereo (1964)

The Ray Charles Story, Vol. 3 (1963)

The Artisty of Ray Charles (1963)

Ray Charles' Greatest Hits (1962)

The Ray Charles Story, Vol. 2 (1962)

The Ray Charles Story, Vol. 1 (1962)

Ray Charles Story (1962)

Greatest Hits [ABC] (1962)

The Original Ray Charles [London] (1962)

Riot in Blues (1960)

Ray Charles [Xtra] (1959)

The Fabulous Ray Charles [Hollywood] (1959)

Ray Charles [Hollywood] (1959)

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