Tag Archives: Ray Charles

Ray Charles: Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music

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In April 1962, “ABC-Paramount” label released “Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music”, the 19th Ray Charles album. It was recorded in February 1962, at “Capitol Studios” in New York City and “United Recording Studios” in Hollywood, and was produced by Sid Feller, Ray Charles and Joe Adams. In 1999, the album was inducted into the “Grammy Hall of Fame”. In 2001, the album track “I Can’t Stop Loving You” was inducted into the “Grammy Hall of Fame”. in 2001,  the album was cited by “The Recording Academy” as a recording of “historical significance. “I Can’t Stop Loving You” was ranked number 49 on “Country Music Television’s” list of the “100 Greatest Songs of Country Music”  In 2001, “VH1” channel listed the album in its list of “The 100 Greatest Albums of R ‘N’ R”. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album at number 104 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.

Personnel:

  • Ray Charles– vocals, piano
  • Hank Crawford– alto saxophone
  • Gil Fuller, Gerald Wilson– big band arrangements
  • Marty Paich– string arrangements
  • Bill Putnam, Gene Thompson, Johnny Cue.Bob Arnold, Frank Abbey – engineer
  • Bill Inglot, Ken Perry – remastering
  • Michael Ochs Archives, Hugh Bell – photography
  • Todd Everett – liner notes

Track listing:

  1. Bye Bye Love – Boudleaux Bryant, Felice Bryant
  2. You Don’t Know Me – Eddy Arnold, Cindy Walker
  3. Half As Much – Curley Williams
  4. I Love You So Much It Hurts – Floyd Tillman
  5. Just a Little Lovin’ (Will Go a Long Way) – Eddy Arnold, Zeke Clements
  6. Born To Lose – Frankie Brown, (Ted Daffan)
  7. Worried Mind – Ted Daffan, Jimmie Davis
  8. It Makes No Difference Now – Floyd Tillman, Jimmie Davis
  9. You Win Again – Hank Williams
  10. Careless Love – traditional, arranged by Ray Charles
  11. I Can’t Stop Loving You – Don Gibson
  12. Hey, Good Lookin’ – Hank Williams

Ray Charles: A Portrait of Ray

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In March 1968, “ABC / Tangerine” label released “A Portrait of Ray”, album by Ray Charles. It was recorded in 1968, and was produced by Joe Adams.

Personnel:

  • Ray Charles– vocals, keyboard, piano
  • Bryon Clark – engineer, remixing

Track listing:

  1. Never Say Naw – Percy Mayfield
  2. The Sun Died – Ray Charles, Ann Grégory, Hubert Giraud, Pierre Delanoë
  3. Am I Blue? – Harry Akst, Grant Clarke
  4. Yesterdays – Jerome Kern, Otto Harbach
  5. When I Stop Dreaming’ – Ira Louvin, Charlie Louvin
  6. I Won’t Leave – Lou Courtney, Luther Ingram, Robert Bateman
  7. A Sweet Young Thing Like You – Dee Ervin
  8. The Bright Lights and You Girl – Sayde Shepherd
  9. Understanding – Jimmy Holiday, Ray Charles
  10. Eleanor Rigby – John Lennon, Paul McCartney

Ella Fitzgerald: Rhythm Is My Business

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In March 1962, “Verve” label released “Rhythm Is My Business”, album by Ella Fitzgerald. It was recorded on January 30 and 31, 1962, and was produced by Norman Granz.

Personnel:

  • Ella Fitzgerald- vocals
  • Hank Jones- piano
  • Mundell Lowe- guitar
  • Lucille Dixon, George Duvivier – double bass
  • Gus Johnson- drums
  • Taft Jordan, Ernie Royal, Joe Wilder – trumpet
  • Melba Liston, Kai Winding, Britt Woodman – trombone
  • Carl Davis, Jerry Dodgion, William Shakesnider, Les Taylor, Phil Woods – reeds
  • Bill Doggett- arranger, conductor, organ

Track listing:

  1. Rough Ridin’ – Ella Fitzgerald, Hank Jones, William Tennyson
  2. Broadway – Billy Bird, Teddy McRae, Henri Woode
  3. You Can Depend On Me – Charles Carpenter, Louis Dunlap, Earl Hines
  4. Runnin’ Wild – Arthur Gibbs, Joe Grey, Leo Wood
  5. Show Me the Way to Get Out of This World ‘Cause That’s Where Everything Is – Les Clark, Matt Dennis
  6. I’ll Always Be In Love With You – Bud Green, Herman Ruby, Sam H. Stept
  7. Hallelujah, I Love Him So – Ray Charles
  8. I Can’t Face the Music – Rube Bloom, Ted Koehler
  9. No Moon at All – Redd Evans, Dave Mann
  10. Laughin’ on the Outside – Ben Raleigh, Bernie Wayne
  11. After You’ve Gone – Henry Creamer, Turner Layton

Eric Burdon: Soul of a Man

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On January 13, 2006, “SPV” label released “Soul of a Man”, album by Eric Burdon, dedicated to Ray Charles, John Lee Hooker and the city of New Orleans. It was recorded in 2005, and was produced by Tony Braunagel.

Personnel:

  • Eric Burdon – vocals
  • Carl Carlton- guitar, slide guitar
  • Johnny Lee Schell- guitar, slide guitar, background vocals
  • Jon Cleary- piano
  • James Hutchinson- bass
  • Reggie McBride – bass
  • Les Lovett – trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Nick Love – trombone
  • John Sublett- saxophone
  • Rod Piazza- harmonica
  • Lenny Castro- percussion
  • Tony Braunagel- drums

Track listing:

  1. Soul of a Man – Blind Willie Johnson
  2. Kingsize Jones – Jimmy Wood, J.J. Holliday
  3. Red Cross Store – Fred McDowell
  4. Como Se Llama Mama – Gregg Sutton, John Heron
  5. Forty Days and Forty Nights – Bernard Roth
  6. Feeling Blue – Eric Bibb, Fredrik Boström
  7. Never Give Up Blues – David Munyon
  8. GTO – Munyon
  9. Forty-Four – Roosevelt Sykes, Eurreal Wilford Montgomery
  10. Slow Moving Train – John Keller
  11. Don’t Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down – Charlotte Hoglund, Eric Bibb
  12. Devil Run – John Bundrick
  13. I Don’t Mind – John Bundrick
  14. Circuit Rider – Billy Watts, David Raven, Pete Anderson, Taras Prodaniuk

Al Kooper: Easy Does It

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In August 1970, “Columbia” label released “Easy Does It”, the third Al Kooper album. It was recorded in 1969, and was produced by Al Kooper.

Personnel:

  • Al Kooper – vocals, piano, organ, guitars, ondioline, sitar, vibraphone, prepared guitar, electronic effects
  • Tom Cosgrove, Louie Shelton, Stu Scharf, Joe Beck, Tommy Tedesco, Keith Allison, Freddie Weller, Wayne Moss, Charlie Daniels– guitar
  • Pete Drake– pedal steel
  • David Bromberg– pedal steel, guitar
  • Larry Knechtel– piano
  • Lyle Ritz, John Miller, Joe Osborn, Charlie McCoy– electric bass
  • Stu Woods – electric bass, backing vocal
  • Rick Marotta– drums, backing vocal
  • Earl Palmer, Joe Corero, Jr, Ken Buttrey, Al Rogers – drums
  • Fred Lipisus – tenor saxophone
  • Peter Ivers– harmonica
  • George Devens – percussion
  • Bobby Colomby– congas
  • Milt Holland– tabla
  • The Blossoms– backing vocal
  • Charlie Calello– string and horn arrangements
  • Jackson Marlie – vocals
  • Jimmie Haskell– arrangements, conductor
  • Don Puluse, Neil Wilburn, Stan Tonkel, Sy Mitchell, Tim Geelan – engineer
  • Mike Ruschack – mastering
  • Stan Weiss – remix

Track listing:

  1. Brand New Day – Al Kooper
  2. Piano Solo Introduction to I Got a Woman
  3. I Got a Woman – Ray Charles, Renald Richard
  4. Country Road – James Taylor
  5. I Bought You the Shoes (You’re Walking Away In) – Bob Brass, Irwin Levine, Kooper
  6. Introduction
  7. Easy Does It – Al Kooper
  8. Buckskin Boy – Al Kooper, Charlie Calello
  9. Love Theme from The Landlord – Al Kooper
  10. Sad, Sad Sunshine – Al Kooper
  11. Let the Duchess No – John Gregory, Jim Roberts
  12. She Gets Me Where I Live – Al Kooper, Charlie Calello
  13. A Rose and a Baby Ruth – D. Loudermilk
  14. Baby, Please Don’t Go – Big Joe Williams
  15. God Sheds His Grace on Thee – Al Kooper, Charlie Calello

Rare Earth: One World

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In June 1971, “Rare Earth” label released “One World”, the fourth Rare Earth studio album. It was recorded in 1971, and was produced by Tom Baird, Gil Bridges, Ray Monette, Mark Olson, John Persh, Pete Rivera and Ed Guzman.

Personnel:

  • Ray Monette – guitars, backing vocals
  • Mark Olson – keyboards, backing vocals
  • John Persh – bass, backing vocals
  • Pete Rivera – lead vocals, drums, percussion
  • Ed Guzman – conga, percussion
  • Gil Bridges – woodwinds, percussion, flute, backing vocals

Track listing:

  1. What’d I Say – Ray Charles
  2. If I Die – Pete Rivera
  3. Seed – Pete Rivera
  4. I Just Want to Celebrate – Dino Fekaris, Nick Zesses
  5. Someone to Love – Gil Bridges
  6. Any Man Can Be a Fool – John Persh
  7. Road – Tom Baird
  8. Under God’s Light – Eddie Guzman, Ray Monette, Mark Olson

Ray Charles: Ray Charles Invites You To Listen

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In June 1967, “ABC/Tangerine” labels released “Ray Charles Invites You to Listen”, the 28th Ray Charles album. It was recorded in 1967, at :RPM International Studios” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Joe Adams.

Personnel:

  • Ray Charles – vocal
  • Sid Feller – arrangements
  • Chris Wilson – liner notes

Track listing:

  1. She’s Funny That Way (I Got a Woman Crazy for Me) – Neil Moret, Richard Whiting
  2. How Deep Is the Ocean (How High Is the Sky) – Irving Berlin
  3. You Made Me Love You (I Didn’t Wanna Do It) – James V. Monaco, Joseph McCarthy
  4. Yesterday – John Lennon, Paul McCartney
  5. I’ll Be Seeing You – Irving Kahal, Sammy Fain
  6. Here We Go Again – Don Lanier, Red Steagall
  7. All for You – Robert Scherman
  8. Love Walked In – George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
  9. Gee, Baby, Ain’t I Good to You – Andy Razaf, Don Redman
  10. People – Bob Merrill, Jule Styne

Gregg Allman Band: Playin’ Up a Storm

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In May 1977, “Capricorn” label released “Playin’ Up a Storm”, the third Gregg Allman Band studio album. It was recorded in 1977, and was produced by Russ Titelman and Lenny Waronker.

Personnel:

  • Gregg Allman– vocals, organ, piano, acoustic guitar
  • Steve Beckmeier – guitar
  • Ricky Hirsch – guitar, slide guitar
  • John Leslie Hug – guitar
  • Neil Larsen – synthesizer, piano, keyboards, Fender Rhodes, horn arrangements
  • Willie Weeks– bass, Fender Rhodes
  • Bill Stewart – drums
  • John– keyboards
  • Bill Payne– synthesizer, keyboards
  • Fred Beckmeier – bass
  • Red Callender– bass
  • Victor Feldman– percussion
  • Milt Holland– percussion
  • David Luell – horn, saxophone
  • Steve Madaio – horn
  • Pat Rizzo – horn
  • Sherlie Matthews – backing vocals
  • Venetta Fields – backing vocals
  • Clydie King – backing vocals

Track listing:

  1. Come and Go Blues – Gregg Allman
  2. Let This Be a Lesson to Ya – Gregg Allman, Malcolm Rebennack
  3. Brightest Smile in Town – Ray Charles, Barry De Vorzon, Bob Sherman
  4. Bring It on Back – Gregg Allman
  5. Cryin’ Shame – Malcolm Beckmeier, Steve Berlin
  6. Sweet Feelin’ – Clarence Carter, Marcus Daniel, Rick Hall, Candi Staton
  7. It Ain’t No Use – Bernie Baum, Bill Giant, Florence Kaye
  8. Matthew’s Arrival – Neil Larsen
  9. One More Try – Gregg Allman

The Animals: Animal Tracks

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In May 1965, “Columbia” label released “Animal Tracks”, the second Animals (The) studio album. It was recorded 1964-1965, and was produced by Mickie Most.

Personnel:

  • Eric Burdon– vocals
  • Hilton Valentine– guitar
  • Alan Price– keyboards
  • Chas Chandler– bass
  • John Steel– drums
  • Mickie Most– liner notes
  • Val Valentin– engineer

Track listing:

  1. Mess Around – Ahmet Ertegün
  2. How You’ve Changed – Chuck Berry
  3. Hallelujah I Love Her So – Ray Charles
  4. I Believe to My Soul – Ray Charles, Allan Learner
  5. Worried Life Blues – Big Maceo Merriweather
  6. Roberta – Al Smith, John Vincent
  7. I Ain’t Got You – Calvin Carter
  8. Bright Lights, Big City – Jimmy Reed
  9. Let the Good Times Roll – Shirley Goodman, Leonard Lee
  10. For Miss Caulker – Eric Burdon
  11. Roadrunner – Ellas McDaniel

Humble Pie: Eat It

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In April 1973, “A&M” label released “Eat It”, the seventh Humble Pie album. It was recorded in 1972, at “Clear Sounds” (Steve’s Marriott home studio) inEssex, and “Green’s Playhouse” in Glasgow, and was produced by Steve Marriott.

Personnel:

  • Steve Marriott – vocals, guitars, harmonica, keyboards, remix
  • Dave “Clem” Clempson – guitars, backing vocals
  • Greg Ridley – bass, backing vocals
  • Jerry Shirley– drums
  • The Blackberries:Billie Barnum, Clydie King, Venetta Fields– vocals
  • J. Cole- pedal steel guitar
  • Sidney George – saxophone
  • Chris & Irish – engineer
  • Michael Doud – art direction
  • John Kosh – design
  • Fin Costello – photography
  • Jim McCrary – photography

Track listing:

  1. Get Down to It – Steve Marriott
  2. Good Booze and Bad Women – Steve Marriott
  3. Is It for Love? – Steve Marriott
  4. Drugstore Cowboy – Steve Marriott
  5. Black Coffee – Ike Turner,Tina Turner
  6. I Believe to My Soul – Ray Charles
  7. Shut up and Don’t Interrupt Me – Johnny Bristol,Edwin Starr
  8. That’s How Strong My Love Is – Roosevelt Jamison
  9. Say No More – Steve Marriott
  10. Oh, Bella (All That’s Hers) – Steve Marriott
  11. Summer Song – Steve Marriott
  12. Beckton Dumps – Steve Marriott
  13. Up Our Sleeve – music by Steve Marriott, Dave ”Clem” Clempson, Greg Ridley, Jerry Shirley, lyrics by Steve Marriott
  14. Honky Tonk Women – Keith Richards,Mick Jagger
  15. (I’m A) Road Runner – Eddie Holland,Lamont Dozier,Brian Holland