“Ray Charles” by Ray Charles - album review

features in: Album Chart of 1957 ● Album Chart of the Decade: 1950s

Atlantic 8006. Released June, 1957. A fine debut from the inspirational 26 year old who’d been completely blind since 7. For album buyers of the day this was a terrific introduction to the man, rounding up 14 sides 1953 to date. A soulful and bluesy affair, mostly penned by Ray himself including the irrepressible “I’ve Got A Woman” (which he’d all but nicked in 1954 from “It Must Be Jesus” by the Southern Tones), the rip-roaring rocker “Mess Around” and the snappy swinger “Greenbacks”. Includes a couple of cool covers - “Drown In My Own Tears” (Sonny Thompson and Lula Reed, 1952) and “Sinner’s Prayer” (Lowell Fulson, 1950). Right about here, Ray Charles was a dude…

The Jukebox Rebel
25–Jul–2008

+ notes

• Released June, 1957.
• Ray’s debut album was heavily stocked with hit singles that had already reached Number One on the R&B singles charts: “I’ve Got A Woman,” “A Fool For You,” “Maryann,” and “Drown In My Own Tears.” Released as “Ray Charles” in 1957, and re-released in 1962 as “Hallelujah I Love Her So”. ~ raycharles.com

Tracklist

A1	[02:51] Ray Charles and his Orchestra and Chorus - Ain’t That Love (Ray Charles Robinson) Soul
A2	[03:21] Ray Charles and his band - Drown In My Own Tears (Henry Glover) Soul Ballad
A3	[03:06] Ray Charles and his band - Come Back (Baby) (Ray Charles Robinson) Soul Ballad
A4	[03:24] Ray Charles and his Orchestra - Sinner’s Prayer (Lloyd Glenn, Lowell Fulson) Blues / Rhythm n Blues
A5	[03:15] Ray Charles and his Orchestra - Funny (But I Still Love You) (Ray Charles Robinson) Blues / Rhythm n Blues
A6	[03:14] Ray Charles and his Orchestra - Losing Hand (Jesse Stone) Blues / Rhythm n Blues
A7	[03:03] Ray Charles and his band - A Fool For You (Ray Charles Robinson) Soul Ballad
B1	[02:35] Ray Charles - Hallelujah I Love Her So (Ray Charles Robinson) Big Band / Jive / Swing
B2	[02:42] Ray Charles and his Orchestra - Mess Around (Ahmet Ertegun) Blues / Rhythm n Blues
B3	[02:33] Ray Charles and his band - This Little Girl Of Mine (Ray Charles Robinson) Blues / Rhythm n Blues
B4	[02:48] Ray Charles and his band - Mary Ann (Ray Charles Robinson) Blues / Rhythm n Blues
B5	[02:52] Ray Charles and his band - Greenbacks (Renald Richard) Blues / Rhythm n Blues
B6	[02:57] Ray Charles and his Orchestra - Don’t You Know (Ray Charles Robinson) Blues / Rhythm n Blues
B7	[02:54] Ray Charles and his band - I’ve Got A Woman (Ray Charles Robinson, Renald Richard) Blues / Rhythm n Blues

ratings by TJR