{"product_id":"ray-charles-ray-charles","title":"Ray Charles – Ray Charles","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRay Charles – Ray Charles\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRay Charles\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a classic collection showcasing the early blues and rhythm \u0026amp; blues recordings of one of the most influential musicians in popular music. This 10-track vinyl compilation brings together performances from Ray Charles’ formative years, highlighting the raw blues, gospel and R\u0026amp;B foundations that would become central to his groundbreaking sound.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBefore becoming known worldwide as “The Genius”, Ray Charles was already developing a distinctive musical identity that blended blues piano, gospel intensity, jazz sophistication and deeply expressive vocals. Tracks such as \u003c\/span\u003eBlues Is My Middle Name, I Used To Be So Happy and The Ego Song capture the young Charles working within the blues and R\u0026amp;B tradition, while his powerful piano playing and unmistakable vocal delivery hint at the revolutionary soul sound he would help create.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eThe collection also features I Live Only For You, the blues-driven Easy Riding Gal, and the energetic Hey Now!. On Side B, What Have I Done, I'm Just A Lonely Boy, I'm Going Down The River and Late In The Evening Blues showcase Charles’ ability to combine emotional storytelling with swinging rhythms and expressive blues piano. These recordings demonstrate why his early work remains essential listening for fans of classic American rhythm \u0026amp; blues and soul.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eThis particular self-titled compilation was issued in the UK as a stereo vinyl LP, with editions appearing on labels including Fidelity\/Saga and Boulevard. The track sequence is associated with the early Ray Charles catalogue and draws heavily from his blues-era recordings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eAn excellent choice for collectors of Ray Charles vinyl\u003cspan\u003e, early soul, blues and vintage R\u0026amp;B, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRay Charles\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e offers a fascinating snapshot of the artist before his later international success. Essential for fans of Ray Charles, Charles Brown, Fats Domino, Louis Jordan and classic Atlantic-era R\u0026amp;B.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTracklist\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSide A\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col start=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlues Is My Middle Name\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI Used To Be So Happy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Ego Song\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI Live Only For You\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEasy Riding Gal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSide B\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col start=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHey Now!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat Have I Done\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI'm Just A Lonely Boy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI'm Going Down The River\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLate In The Evening Blues\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BrcGsqVBeV0?si=jXFFyzqqROT3MG_u\" title=\"YouTube video player\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Saga FID Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55104202604886,"sku":"STFID 2103","price":4.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1009\/1013\/7686\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_3eeaef46-2fc5-4371-a11d-3d5ad984282a.jpg?v=1787749508","url":"https:\/\/www.sounds-grounds.co.uk\/products\/ray-charles-ray-charles","provider":"Sounds + Grounds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}