Search - Ray Charles :: 1953-1954

Some early Atlantic sessions

Bomojaz | South Central PA, USA | 06/30/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the third volume in the ongoing series of recordings by Ray Charles in chronological order put out by Classics; all are Atlantic sides and include his second through fifth sessions for that label. The CD is transitional in that Charles makes the switch from a downhome blues singer accompanying himself on piano to the more familiar soulful shouter backed up with a good sized band. Indeed, by the last session here we have a classic track, a #1 hit forever associated with him: I'VE GOT A WOMAN. It's good to hear this original recording again, not only for Ray's vocal, but for Don Wilkerson's tenor sax solo as well.



The first session is the "old" Ray: two slow blues, one of them (LOW SOCIETY) being a non-vocal piano solo. All subsequent sessions feature a full combo, sometimes involved solely in providing background voicings, but often offering solo space, too: Mickey Baker plays some T-Bone Walker-inspired guitar in spots and Sam Taylor has some good tenor sax solos. Some of the sides (HEARTBREAKER, DON"T YOU KNOW) take on a definite rock-n-roll feel, while on a few others Ray talks the vocal, or part of it anyway. His piano is usually as prominent as his singing and is especially good on RAY'S BLUES. One characteristic of his singing that became dominant - a shouting churchy soulfulness - is very much in the forefront on the last session, four tunes, all of them charted hits. These sides begin to usher in the Ray Charles sound and approach most people are familiar with. These Ray Charles discs should be among the most important and sought after in the Classics Blues & Rhythm series.

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