Ray Charles...

[skandl]

If you like Ray Charles' jazz albums, the recent Rhino 100% analog pressing of "The Great Ray Charles" sounds amazing, truly a reference quality LP, and it's only about $25. It was expertly cut by Doug Sax IIRC, and pressed at RTI on nice thick, quiet vinyl.

Thanks, found one at acousticsounds for 14.99 should be here in 4 days.

 

[beatcomber]

This is the earliest copy I have of the great RC.

http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/ray_charles/ray_charles_f4/

Those are the pre-Atlantic sessions he cut for Swing Time, when he was still very much in a Charles Brown mode. Good stuff!

 

[beatcomber]

Thanks, found one at acousticsounds for 14.99 should be here in 4 days.

Yer gonna love it. :thmbsp:

 

[ghazzer]

Here are pics of the album cover. It has a 10 page insert - lots of photos plus a list of all his ABC & Atlantic releases (up to 1967).
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[beatcomber]

Here are pics of the album cover. It has a 10 page insert - lots of photos plus a list of all his ABC & Atlantic releases (up to 1967).
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Nice overview of the ABC era.

 

[4Play]

This will be arriving soon, and I am so looking forward to it!!

 

[beatcomber]

This will be arriving soon, and I am so looking forward to it!!

I saw that on Amazon... Is that a legit licensed release or a European PD issue? :scratch2:

 

[Raynie]

I bought Genius + Soul about 20 yrs ago and listened to it once or twice, sold it on ebay for about .19. I like his first album which was darker and more soulful. All his later stuff is overblown with accompaniments and vocal arrangements which I don't like. I do like some of his swing-based ABC singles from the late 60s tho. His songs with a hard edge are much better.

 

[beatcomber]

I like his first album which was darker and more soulful. All his later stuff is overblown with accompaniments and vocal arrangements which I don't like. I do like some of his swing-based ABC singles from the late 60s tho. His songs with a hard edge are much better.

Yeah, that's pretty much my take on it too. He lost something once Jerry Wexler wasn't producing him.

 

[boreas]

This is my absolute all-time for sure favorite Ray Charles album.

It's on Coronet Records, CX-173, released in 1958 and containing material from the early '50s, so very, very early stuff, mostly in a trio setting of piano, guitar, and bass (think "King Cole Trio"). Don't know who the sidemen are but here's the track list.

http://www.discogs.com/Ray-Charles-Ray-Charles/release/1609772

John

 

[Ilikevinyl]

I have a mono pressing... it's kind of beat up, but it definitely is a powerful sounding record! Was that one recorded at Rudy Van Gelder's place?

Mine is the stereo version. It has a gatefold cover but doesn't say that it was recorded at Rudy Van Gelder studio.

 

[skandl]

So far all I have

Enjoying Genius at this time

 

[shovelhead]

Have a lot of ray Charles myself.check out ray and willie nelson doing seven Spanish angels beyond excellent.

shovelhead

 

[beatcomber]

Mine is the stereo version. It has a gatefold cover but doesn't say that it was recorded at Rudy Van Gelder studio.

By golly, you're right! (I just checked.)

Rudy mastered the early pressings though ("RVG" is stamped in the deadwax), but he may or may not have engineered the sessions. I'm guessing he did though.

 

[beatcomber]

Enjoying Genius at this time

Ooo, I see a promo in that pile! :thmbsp:

 

[fly4x4]

My copy of this LP just came today and I have to say your recommendation is spot on. What a great album! I now have to move on to finding the others recommended in this thread.

Jeff

If you like Ray Charles' jazz albums, the recent Rhino 100% analog pressing of "The Great Ray Charles" sounds amazing, truly a reference quality LP, and it's only about $25. It was expertly cut by Doug Sax IIRC, and pressed at RTI on nice thick, quiet vinyl.

 

[beatcomber]

This is my absolute all-time for sure favorite Ray Charles album.

It's on Coronet Records, CX-173, released in 1958 and containing material from the early '50s, so very, very early stuff, mostly in a trio setting of piano, guitar, and bass (think "King Cole Trio"). Don't know who the sidemen are but here's the track list.

http://www.discogs.com/Ray-Charles-Ray-Charles/release/1609772

John

Yup, the stuff Ray recorded for SwingTime/DownBeat was endlessly recycled by the 'supermarket' labels. I have 3-4 different budget label albums of that material. Great stuff! Ray was very much into a Charles Brown/King Cole Trio bag before he found his own sound.

I also have a 78 by 'the Maxin Trio' in my collection:

 

[Ilikevinyl]

By golly, you're right! (I just checked.)

Rudy mastered the early pressings though ("RVG" is stamped in the deadwax), but he may or may not have engineered the sessions. I'm guessing he did though.

No "RVG" in the deadwax, AS-2-A-1, AS-2-B-1. It does have "Bell Sound" stamped in the deadwax.

 

[reggaenaut]

Thanks for this great Ray Charles thread!

 

[bobins08]

No "RVG" in the deadwax, AS-2-A-1, AS-2-B-1. It does have "Bell Sound" stamped in the deadwax.

I have the same copy as you Steve. Stereo AS-2.

On Impulse, gate fold cover with waxy coating.

Nice sound and great performance.



Bob