Ray Back in the Day
5
By BiggATL
The first time I heard this album I was 10 years old. I loved it then and I love it now. However, they have edited out some of the album, so someone hearing it for the first time doesn't get the full effect of the live performance. For example, when the announcer says"Ray Charles, the great Ray Charles, the high priest Ray Charles, what a show, what a show..." It makes you feel as if you're there in the audience. I still have it on vinyl, but I'm happy to see it in circulation in this format.....It's great!
Wow! Stunning.
5
By hbdawg
I was in the 9th grade and my parents thought I was too young to go to the concert. So I listened to the music outside Herndon Stadium that night. I was (still am) into jazz and loved the band. David Fathead Newman, Marcus Belgrade and Hank Crawford were all legends even then. Aside from one of the best big jazz big bands fronted by Charles' piano and organ, the Raylettes with Majorie Hendricks were famous in their own right. The total package was a stunning assembly of talent and soul. The recordings from the concert were played on the local black radio stations before the LP was issued. I subsequently bought the LP and wore it out. I still listen to it today. What I Say was the big hit but the concert favorite was perhaps Drown in my own Tears. But Marjorie Hendricks stole the show. Some argued that James Brown Live at the Apollo was as good a live show but listen to the sheer array of talent here and you will know that Apollo is number 2.
Ray Charles live in Atlantal
5
By 362436
Divinely inspired. Best album ever made.
Ray Charles in Person
5
By ZOOTSUITBEATNICK!
I bought this album when it was first released.
Thought it was great.
Still do.
There are cleaner recordings.
There are recordings without the missed notes you hear on this album.
But Ray Charles was absolutely the best and I can't think of an album that shows him better than this.
Ray Charles In Person
5
By DrDave15
Well, this 1959 album was far from Ray's first but I agree it's his best. No offense to the also-awsome James Brown, but hands down Ray Charles was the God of Soul, which of course outranks a Godfather any day.
This is the best album he ever recorded
5
By Dave Thompson
Ray recorded his music for decades, but never surpassed this first, seminal recording.
Ray Charles In Person
5
By the pno man
Not only is Ray great at this point in his career, but his band is off the chain. The 2 jazz tunes, Frenesi and The Spirit-Feel, shows some solid writing and playing. This band is well trained...really great stuff here.
Ray
5
By The Flushable Brush
Ray Charles could freakin slam anyone he wanted.
