Ray Charles – A 25th Anniversary In Show Business Salute To Ray Charles

Ray Charles – A 25th Anniversary In Show Business Salute To Ray Charles

A 25th Anniversary In Show Business Salute To Ray Charles is a substantial 36-track double LP compilation, originally released in 1971 to mark Ray Charles' 25 years in show business. Issued through the collaboration between ABC-Dunhill and Atlantic Records, the set brings together recordings from both sides of Charles' career, covering his groundbreaking Atlantic material of the 1950s alongside his later ABC recordings from the 1960s.

The first half traces Charles' emergence as one of the key figures in early R&B and soul, with essential recordings including "Mess Around", "It Should've Been Me", "I Got A Woman", "A Fool For You", "Hallelujah I Love Her So", "Drown In My Own Tears", "Lonely Avenue" and the electrifying "What'd I Say". These recordings illustrate the distinctive blend of gospel, blues, jazz and R&B that became central to the Ray Charles sound during the 1950s.

The later sides move into Charles' hugely successful ABC period, featuring classics such as "Georgia On My Mind", "Unchain My Heart", "Hit The Road Jack", "One Mint Julep", "I Can't Stop Loving You", "You Are My Sunshine", "Born To Lose", "Busted", "Crying Time" and "Let's Go Get Stoned". The compilation also demonstrates Charles' extraordinary willingness to cross musical boundaries, incorporating soul, blues, country, pop, jazz and big-band influences.

The set finishes with later-1960s recordings including his interpretations of Beatles songs "Yesterday" and "Eleanor Rigby", alongside "Understanding", "If You Were Mine", "Don't Change On Me", "Booty Butt" and "Feel So Bad". With original recordings spanning approximately 1953–1969 and the compilation itself dating from 1971, this four-sided collection offers a broad portrait of Ray Charles during the formative and highly influential decades of his career.

For fans of Ray Charles, Atlantic Records, ABC Records, soul, Southern soul, early R&B, blues, gospel-influenced music and classic American popular music, this double LP is an extensive retrospective featuring many of his most recognisable recordings.

Tracklist

Side A

1. It Should've Been Me – 2:39
2. Mess Around – 2:39
3. Don't You Know – 2:50
4. I Got A Woman – 2:48
5. A Fool For You – 2:59
6. Hallelujah I Love Her So – 2:33
7. Drown In My Own Tears – 3:15
8. Rockhouse – 3:54
9. Lonely Avenue – 2:42

Side B

1. Ain't That Love – 2:50
2. Swanee River Rock (Talkin' 'Bout That River) – 2:18
3. Night Time Is The Right Time – 3:25
4. Mary Ann – 2:45
5. I Believe To My Soul – 2:58
6. What'd I Say – 6:25
7. Just For A Thrill – 3:21
8. Yes Indeed – 2:14
9. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Cryin' – 3:41

Side C

1. Georgia On My Mind – 3:37
2. Unchain My Heart – 2:52
3. Hit The Road Jack – 1:57
4. One Mint Julep – 3:04
5. Ruby – 3:52
6. I Can't Stop Loving You – 4:15
7. You Are My Sunshine – 2:52
8. Born To Lose – 3:15
9. Busted – 2:09

Side D

1. Crying Time – 2:54
2. Let's Go Get Stoned – 2:57
3. Yesterday – 2:42
4. Understanding – 3:08
5. Eleanor Rigby – 2:56
6. If You Were Mine – 3:47
7. Don't Change On Me – 3:22
8. Booty Butt – 4:10
9. Feel So Bad – 3:14