Off topic
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February 7, 2011
Ray Charles Featured In Down Beat (1956)
Read moreThis is the first full page magazine article about Ray Charles that I know of, from Down Beat, dated 28 November 1956. Wexler’s quote on the “soul part” of the blues is remarkable – possibly the earliest instance where Ray’s music was associated with the term soul. The essence of RC’s biographical mantra is there, […]
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February 6, 2011
Rare Photos Of The Ray Charles Orchestra & The Raelettes In Paris (1963)
Read moreEarly photos of Ray Charles are relatively rare, but photos from the musicians in his band and of The Raelettes are really scarce. People who regularly follow this blog have seen that lately I’ve spent quite some effort in documenting the few pics that are available on the web. That’s how I came across the […]
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January 16, 2011
Anytime (2004)
Read moreThe scene below didn’t make it to Ray, the movie. It depicts how Charles in early 1948 took the bus from Tampa to Seattle, and helps a few mariners to find the lyrics to Anytime, a contemporary hit by Eddy Arnold and The Tennessee Plowboys (who, later in ’48 would score #1 to #4 on […]
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December 19, 2010
Two New Pages
Read moreChronology See top right corner of this page. A much easier way to browse through the Chronology pages. Inquiries See top right corner of this page. Specific & specified requests for help.
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December 17, 2010
Ray Charles Reading Braille (1965)
Read moreThis picture, shot in a studio (probably Ray’s own, in LA) was used as an illustration in several tour brochures, and in the Provinciaal Zeeuwse Courant from 3 July 1965. The photo is now held in the Michael Ochs Archives, under the title Hands Of A Genius.
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September 26, 2010
Ray Charles – Music That Matters To Him
Read moreRay Charles – Music That Matters To Him was an album in Hear’s Artist’s Choice series, where he made a selection of the artists and songs that influenced and inspired him. It’s always hard to assess to what degree rights clearing has been a restriction in a selection like this, but the result really seems consistent […]
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September 25, 2010
Ray Charles Memorial Library Opens Doors (2010)
Read moreThe Ray Charles Memorial Library, in the studio and office building Charles built in South LA in the early 1960s, officially opened its doors in 2010. The library features interactive exhibits about Charles’ life and career. Read article (for the first time revealing that Ray not only left all of his intellectual property but also […]
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September 6, 2010
Joe Adam’s Restroom Memo (1989)
Read moreThey’re known in every organization of any size, in every part of the world: Restroom Memos. Unavoidable ingredients: musings about a few people spoiling things for the majority of employees, and lots of text typed in uppercase. The clipping comes from Darren Solomon’s website.