Ray Charles was the musician most responsible for developing soul music. Singers like Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson also did a great deal to pioneer the form, but Charles did even more to devise a new form of Black pop by merging '50s R&B with gospel-powered vocals, adding plenty of flavor from contemporary jazz, blues, and (in the '60s) country. Then there was his singing; his style was among the most emotional and easily identifiable of any 20th century performer, up there with the likes of Elvis and Billie Holiday. He was also a superb keyboard player, arranger, and bandleader. The brilliance of his 1950s and '60s work, however, can't obscure the fact that he made few classic tracks after the mid-'60s, though he recorded often and performed until the year before his death.Blind since the age of six (from glaucoma), Charles studied composition and learned many instruments at the St. Augustine School for the Deaf and the Blind. His parents had died by his early teens, and he worked as a musician in Florida for a while before using his savings to move to Seattle in 1947. By the late '40s, he was recording in a smooth pop/R&B style derivative of Nat "King" Cole and Charles Brown.

Ray Charles — The Genius Sings The Blues (Mono). Analogue Productions (Atlantic 75 Series). Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Atlantic Records! A classic of the soul and R&B canon! Timeless American music includes 12 must-have songs from Charles' peak era. 180-gram 45 RPM double LP. Mastered by Bernie Grundman from the original analog master tape.

This time around we have four complete classic albums presenting Ray as a jazz performer, R&B performer and as an exciting live performer with 'The Great Ray Charles', 'At Newport', 'The Genius of Ray Charles' and 'Ray Charles in Person'.
These is nothing new to be said about the inimitable Ray Charles that hasn't been said many times before, so simply sit back and listen to the genius in person.

Less up-tempo, frantic and danceable - and considerably more melodic - than regular 60s Soul, the roots of SOUTHERN SOUL can be dated back to the mid-50s.This 60-track, 2-CD set comprehensively explores the birth of Southern Soul, from the point where Gospel, R&B and even rural Country began to merge.Many of the genre's biggest names are featured herein, notably Ray Charles, Bobby Bland, Sam Cooke, Ted Taylor, Ivory Joe Hunter, Brook Benton, Solomon Burke, Arthur Alexander, Irma Thomas, Johnny Adams, Little Willie John, Betty Lavette, Little Esther Phillips, etc.Also included are deep Soul cuts from James Brown, Otis Redding, Roy Brown, Ruth Brown, Sam & Dave, Carla Thomas, William Bell, The Tams, Barbara Lynn, Sugar Pie DeSanto, Joe Tex, etc., names perhaps more readily associated with regular R&B and/or 60s Soul.This is a unique and irresistible collection of hits and collectors' obscurities, many of the latter unavailable elsewhere on CD.

Ray Charles was the musician most responsible for developing soul music. Singers like Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson also did a great deal to pioneer the form, but Charles did even more to devise a new form of black pop by merging '50s R&B with gospel-powered vocals, adding plenty of flavor from contemporary jazz, blues, and (in the '60s) country. Then there was his singing; his style was among the most emotional and easily identifiable of any 20th century performer, up there with the likes of Elvis and Billie Holiday. He was also a superb keyboard player, arranger, and bandleader. The brilliance of his 1950s and '60s work, however, can't obscure the fact that he made few classic tracks after the mid-'60s, though he recorded often and performed until the year before his death.

Wagram Music Presents Compilation Soul Masterpieces album original hits and the original artists genre Soul Funk.

As adjuncts to our highly popular “America’s Greatest Hits” series of collections for each calendar year in the 50s and early ‘60s, we have already produced collections based on landmark moments in the Billboard charts – “The First Top 100 Nov. 1955” (ACQCD7062), “The First Hot 100 Aug. 1958” (ACQCD7083), “The First Hot 100 of the '60s” (ACQCD7097), “The 'Heartbreak Hotel' Top 100” (ACQCD7122)and “The Day The Music Died - Feb 3rd 1959 Hot 100” (ACQCD7134), “The 'Telstar' Hot 100 December 22nd 1962” (ACQCD7144), “The Twist” Hot 100 Jan. 25th 1962”, “The 1000th Billboard Chart 7th September 1959”(ACQCD7164), “The American Bandstand Us Top 100 5th Aug. 1957” and “The JFK Inauguration Hot 100 20th January 1961” (ACQCD781). This collection homes in on another anniversary in the history of the Billboard chart, the 20th anniversary of the first chart, which was published in July 1940. This collection features just about every record from the Hot 100 of 18th July 1960, apart from a few titles which are unfortunately unavailable for copyright reasons. It provides a fascinating and evocative snapshot of the music scene at what was a dynamic and exciting time as the rock ‘n’ roll and teen era gave way to emerging new sounds at the beginning of the 1960s, and features an entertaining range of styles and genres. As always with these chart collections, it includes a number of unfamiliar names and recordings towards the bottom of the chart, of which even seasoned pop enthusiasts may not be too aware, and which will be welcome additions to their collections. It contains a 12,000+ word booklet featuring background notes on every record as well as full discographical and chart information.

Collectables Records' various-artists compilation The Ultimate Christmas Album has been released both on its own and as a tie-in with a series of radio stations. There are identical editions of the album associated with KLUV, K-Earth 101 FM, and WCBS FM-101.1 in addition to this version, WJMK 104.3 Chicago. The word "ultimate" has been overused and misused in record releases to the point that it doesn't mean very much to see it on the cover of an album. Whether or not one considers this album to justify its title will have a lot to do with individual musical taste. If the potential consumer is a listener to one of the radio stations listed above, which are oldies stations devoted to playing pop/rock music of the 1950s, '60s, and '70s, he or she may agree that the album is the ultimate in holiday music of that period.

8 tracks recorded during a 1975 concert in Madrid, showcasing Charles’ blend of jazz, soul, and blues classics.

Worthy of audiophile treatment. Not every Christmas tune meets that high standard. But each song on this SACD, with each song chosen by Acoustic Sounds owner and CEO Chad Kassem, sound better than it ever has before. These are some of the most familiar - and well-recorded - Christmas tracks ever. We feel we're bringing you a record that you and your family will enjoy every year forevermore. These truly are The Wonderful Sounds Of Christmas. From the peaceful solemnity of Harry Simeone Chorale's "The Little Drummer Boy" to the festive spirit of Jose Feliciano's "Feliz Navidad," The Wonderful Sounds Of Christmas brings you the very best examples of holiday songs ever recorded. With wonderful music in abundance, this Christmas compilation offers a celebration of the season's most joyous and cherished songs. Truly, Christmas has never sounded better!

Recorded in 1985, The Spirit of Christmas finds Ray Charles performing a variety of holiday favorites with vocal assistance from the Raelettes and an appearance by jazz trumpeter Freddie Hubbard. The ten tracks mix standards and originals, including "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," and the ballad "That Spirit of Christmas," which was featured in the movie National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. The Spirit of Christmas is perfect background music for any holiday celebration.

In late 1964, ABC-Paramount prepared to release Ray Charles Sings For You. The album was assigned catalog number ABC-500, with liner notes and artwork completed. However, the release was shelved in favor of issuing Ray Charles Live in Concert in January 1965. As a result, Ray Charles Sings For You remained unreleased, and its tracks were scattered across various compilations over the years. Now, for the first time ever, this lost album is officially restored and released as the artist originally intended. Featuring tracks like "My Baby Don't Dig Me," "Without Love (There Is Nothing)," and "Worried Life Blues (Someday Baby)." The album's significance lies in its historical context and the quality of its performances, offering listeners a glimpse into a prolific period of Charles's career.

Wagram Music Presents Sampled All The Original Tracks Behind The Hits Ray Charles, Nina Simone, Frank Sinatra, B. B. King, Louis Armstrong album original hits and the original artists genre Jazz, Blues.

Although universally acknowledged as a true musical genius, Ray Charles was equally a pioneer of a musical genre that flourished during the 1950s, almost exclusively due to his sonic experimentation and development of previous styles. Initially a jazz performer and musician, by the late 1940s Ray had seen enough as a sideman and ventured out under his own name. But it was his signing to Atlantic Records in 1952 which proved the catalyst for Ray Charles to pioneer a new style, soon to be labelled soul music. It was his fusion of R N B, blues, jazz, gospel, with a hint pop and country, that he would develop throughout the decade to create arguably the most dynamic, home grown American music genre in history. This 3 CD set contains every track Ray released during the 1950s - and thus provides the definitive collection of Ray Charles material, and therefore by definition, the ultimate early

Ray Charles was the musician most responsible for developing soul music. Singers like Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson also did a great deal to pioneer the form, but Charles did even more to devise a new form of black pop by merging '50s R&B with gospel-powered vocals, adding plenty of flavor from contemporary jazz, blues, and (in the '60s) country. Then there was his singing; his style was among the most emotional and easily identifiable of any 20th century performer, up there with the likes of Elvis and Billie Holiday. He was also a superb keyboard player, arranger, and bandleader.