The Great Ray Charles
Studio album by Ray Charles
Released 2010 [originally released in 1957]
Recorded April 30 - November 26, 1956
Genre Jazz
Length 37:00
Label Atlantic/Rhino
Producer Ahmet Ertegun, Jerry Wexler
The Great Ray Charles is Ray Charles' second album for Atlantic Records, released in 1957. It is an instrumental jazz album.
Most music lovers know Ray Charles for his groundbreaking sonic and rhythm combination that spawned R&B. Others recognize him for his extraordinary takes on country music, and later, his contributions to modern pop. But few instantly think of the pianist as a jazz artist despite his deep roots in that genre.
One reason for the disconnect is due to a dearth of Charles albums that pay tribute to his jazz legacy. Released shortly after his Atlantic Records debut, 1957's The Great Ray Charles is the legend's greatest jazz salvo, an entirely instrumental set that may stand as Charles' most under-recognized album. Everything about it cooks. Here, indeed, is the real soul of Ray Charles.
Focusing on his often overlooked piano skills, this timeless album finds Charles accompanied by saxophonists David "Fathead" Newman and Hank Crawford, who help the leader get his groove on. Mining the blues as only he can, Charles plays definitive versions of staples such as "My Melancholy Baby" and "Black Coffee," and has fun on pieces such as "Doodlin'" and "Sweet Sixteen Bars." The music swings and purrs. Behind it all, Charles' majestic fingers run across the 88s with an effortlessness that defies the imagination.
Mastered from the original master tapes, Rhino's spectacular 180g LP reissue brings the body and cavity of Charles' piano into pristine focus, with dead-centered imaging and incredible spacing. Newman's hot solos and Crawford's horn accents come to life like never before. Accept no substitute. This is by far the most definitive version of this must-have album ever produced. An American classic!
Professional Ratings:
allmusic 3/5 stars
The Absolute Sound 4/5 stars (music), 4.5 stars (sonics)
Review by Scott Yanow of allmusic:
This set is rather unusual, for it is strictly instrumental, allowing Ray Charles a rare opportunity to be a jazz-oriented pianist. Two selections are with a trio (bassist Oscar Pettiford joins Charles on "Black Coffee"), while the other six are with a septet taken from his big band of the period. Key among the sidemen are David Newman (soloing on both tenor and alto) and trumpeter Joseph Bridgewater; highlights include Quincy Jones' "The Ray," "My Melancholy Baby," "Doodlin'," and "Undecided." Ray Charles should have recorded in this setting more often in his later years.
Review by Greg Cahill at The Absolute Sound:
Fans who scooped up Ray CharlesÕ 1957 eponymous debut - which spawned the classics ÒMess Around,Ó ÒIÕve Got a Woman,Ó and ÒDrown in My Own TearsÓ - were treated to a new and exciting R&B voice. This instrumental jazz album, released the same year, avoids the signature Ray Charles R&B sound and instead highlights his chameleon gifts as a pianist, running the gamut from swing to small combo blues to Art Tatum-influenced showpieces. It kicks off with Quincy JonesÕ big-band blues shuffle ÒThe Ray,Ó featuring soulful sax solos by longtime Charles sideman David ÒFatheadÓ Newman. The Ellingtonian spin on ÒMy Melancholy BabyÓ is less enduring, but ÒBlack CoffeeÓ gets a timeless slow blues treatment. Side One closes with a lyrical reading of the sentimental ballad ÒThereÕs No You.Ó The B-side steps up the pace, opening with a frisky soul- inflected rendition of Horace SilverÕs ÒDoodlinÕ,Ó with horn charts indebted to Joe ÒThe HoneydripperÓ Liggins. ÒSweet Sixteen Blues,Ó the albumÕs only Charles composition, echoes ÒDrown in My Own Tears,Ó while ÒI Surrender DearÓ finds Charles experimenting with a celeste. The album closes with the Charlie Shavers/Sid Robins swing tune ÒUndecided.Ó In sum: a revelation for those who only know Ray Charles as a hitmaker.
LP track listing
Side One
1. "The Ray" (Quincy Jones) Ð 3:56
2. "My Melancholy Baby" (Ernie Burnett, George A. Norton) Ð 4:19
3. "Black Coffee" (Sonny Burke, Paul Francis Webster) Ð 5:28
4. "There's No You" (Tom Adair, Hal Hopper) Ð 4:44
Side Two
5. "Doodlin'" (Horace Silver) Ð 5:49
6. "Sweet Sixteen Bars" (Ray Charles) Ð 4:04
7. "I Surrender Dear" (Harry Barris, Gordon Clifford) Ð 5:04
8. "Undecided" (Sid Robins, Charlie Shavers) Ð 3:36
Personnel:
* Ray Charles - piano, celeste
* David Newman - tenor saxophone, alto saxophone
* Emmott Dennis - baritone saxophone
* Joseph Bridgewater - trumpet
* John Hunt - trumpet
* Roosevelt Sheffield - bass
* Oscar Pettiford - bass
* William Peeples - drums
* Joe Harris - drums
* Quincy Jones - arrangements