Tunes
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November 12, 2014
For Mamma
Read moreAlbum: Renaissance, Crossover 9005, June 1975. Charles’ take on Charles Aznavour’s La Mamma. The album was recorded in late 1974 and early 1975 at RPM International in Los Angeles. An audiotape of a working session where Sid Feller and Ray Charles discussed and worked on the arrangement of the song has survived. With The Ray Charles Orchestra, including some […]
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November 12, 2014
For The Future (Jingle)
Read moreUnreleased. In 2000 the Austin Kelley agency produced three 30-second commercials for the Georgia Lottery. One of them, claiming the Lottery’s contributions to education, was themed For The Future.
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November 11, 2014
Forty Pound Limit (aka I Don’t Know, aka Mr. Ray Charles) (The Ray Charles Orchestra)
Read moreAlbum DVD: Ray Charles Live At The Montreux Jazz Festival, November 2004; DVD/CD: Geneon/Pioneer B000667GDM, November 2004; DVD: SHE B0000648YH, June 2006; DVD: Eagle Rock B000VZBCVU, October 2007; Blu Ray DVD: Eagle Rock B001JL2V2E, December 2008. In an earlier article on this tune I presented it as an unidentified instrumental. I wrote that “In many sources, […]
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November 11, 2014
Frenesi (With The Ray Charles Sextet)
Read moreAlbum: Ray Charles In Person, Atlantic 8039, May 1960 (1959). Ray recorded this Alberto Dominguez tune only once, live, in Atlanta at the Herndon Stadium on May 29, 1959. (Charles Carpenter in 1939 added lyrics to the song, using the pseudonym Ray Charles…). Marcus Belgrave, John Hunt – trumpet, David Newman – tenor saxophone, alto saxophone; Hank […]
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November 11, 2014
Fresh Out Of Tears
Read moreAlbum: Would You Believe? Warner Bros 26343, October 1990. Recorded at RPM International in Los Angeles. Musicians remained uncredited; Rich Cason produced the synthesizer parts.
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November 11, 2014
Friendship (With Ricky Skaggs)
Read moreAlbum: Friendship, Columbia 39415, February 1985. Recorded at the Eleven Eleven Studios and the Soundshop Studio in Nashville, and the Pedernales Studio in Spicewood, with c&w veteran Billy Sherrill. Ray finished things off at RPM International in Los Angeles. The album was produced with session musicians Hargus Pig Robbins, Robert Ogdin, Bobby Wood – keyboards; Jose […]
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November 11, 2014
From The Heart
Read moreAlbum: Genius + Soul = Jazz, Impulse 2, February 1961. Recorded at the Van Gelder Studios in Englewood Cliffs, on 26 and 27 December 1960. I’ll never forget first hearing these first few Hammond notes. Ray Charles – organ; Philip Guilbeau (solo), Thad Jones, Joe Newman, Clark Terry, Eugene (Snooky) Young – trumpets; Henry Coker, Urbie […]
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November 11, 2014
Funny (But I Still Love You)
Read moreSingle (B): Atlantic 999, July 1953, b/w Mess Around.Compilation: Ray Charles, Atlantic 8006, June 1957. Taped in New York on 17 May 1953 with Jesse Drakes – tp; Sam Taylor- ts; Dave McRae – bs; Connie Kay – d; Mickey Baker – g; Lloyd Trotman – b.
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November 11, 2014
Game Number Nine
Read moreAlbum: True To Life, Crossover/Atlantic 19142, October 1977.Single (A): Crossover/Atlantic 3473, March 1978, b/w A Peace That We Never Before Could Enjoy. . Recorded at RPM International in Los Angeles, with a mix of road musicians from his Orchestra and session cats, and… one girl with a speaking role.
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November 11, 2014
Games People Play (With Andy Williams)
Read moreUnreleased. On the Andy Williams Show that was broadcast on October 18, 1969, Ray ended his mini concert singing a not very convincing duet with the host.The Raelettes stood there, I think, just clapping their hands – the shrieking backing vocals must come from someone else (Mama Cass?!). Live:’70 LC Geneva
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November 11, 2014
Gee, Baby Ain’t I Good To You
Read moreAlbum: Ray Charles Invites You To Listen, ABC/Tangerine 595, June 1967. Recorded at RPM International in Los Angeles, in 1966 or 1967. Ray on piano, caressing the lyrics; with his Orchestra, and some strings (all uncreditied). Arrangement by Sid Feller. Update 01.02.2021: the video of this performance is no longer available, please let me know in […]
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November 11, 2014
Georgia On My Mind
Read moreAlbum: Album: Genius Hits the Road, ABC/Paramount 335, July 1960.Single (A): ABC 10135, August 1960, b/w Carry Me Back To Old Virginny. Recorded at the Capitol Studios in New York on March 25, 1960. With Milt Turner on drums and Edgar Willis on bass, uncredited strings, and choir.According to the original liner notes, the song was arranged […]