Ray Charles

Ray Charles

blues, country music, gospel music, jazz, rhythm and blues, soul

United States

About

Sound in a sentence: "With a steady groove anchored in rhythmic piano riffs and rich vocal phrasing, his music pulses with both urgency and warmth, creating an environment that compels movement while evoking deep emotional resonance."
Ray Charles transformed the landscape of American music by seamlessly weaving together threads of blues, gospel, and country, creating a sound that not only defined his career but also laid the foundation for the genre we now call soul. His ability to bridge cultural divides through music opened doors for countless artists and reshaped how audiences engage with diverse musical styles.
Ray Charles transformed the landscape of American music by seamlessly weaving together threads of blues, gospel, and country, creating a sound that not only defined his career but also laid the foundation for the genre we now call soul. His ability to bridge cultural divides through music opened doors for countless artists and reshaped how audiences engage with diverse musical styles. By pouring raw emotion into every note, he instigated a paradigm shift in popular music where authenticity took precedence over mere entertainment. Charles's innovative approach involved a daring blend of traditional forms with personal expression, incorporating elements of call-and-response structures typical in gospel music while infusing them with the storytelling quality found in country ballads. This cross-pollination allowed him to create something fresh and deeply resonant, encouraging listeners to embrace a fuller spectrum of emotional experience in their musical choices. His performances were electrifying, often blurring the lines between performer and audience, inviting everyone present to share in the cathartic power of his music. Lyrically, Charles often explores themes of love, heartache, and redemption through a voice that oscillates between sincerity and playful irony. His storytelling is marked by vivid imagery and an emotional depth that invites listeners into his world, making the personal universal. The tone can shift from joyous celebration to poignant reflection, mirroring the complexities of human experience.

Discography

135 releases 115 studio 1946–2021
Type: |
Ray Charles
Ray Charles (1957)
The Great Ray Charles
The Great Ray Charle... (1957)
Soul Brothers
Soul Brothers (1958)
Yes Indeed!
Yes Indeed! (1958)
Ray Charles at Newport
Ray Charles at Newpo... (1958)
What'd I Say
What'd I Say (1959)
The Genius of Ray Charles
The Genius of Ray Ch... (1959)
Ray Charles in Person
Ray Charles in Perso... (1960)
The Genius Hits the Road
The Genius Hits the... (1960)
Soul Meeting
Soul Meeting (1961)
Ray Charles and Betty Carter
Ray Charles and Bett... (1961)
The Genius After Hours
The Genius After Hou... (1961)
The Genius Sings the Blues
The Genius Sings the... (1961)
Do the Twist! with Ray Charles
Do the Twist! with R... (1961)
Genius + Soul = Jazz
Genius + Soul = Jazz (1961)
Dedicated to You
Dedicated to You (1961)
Spotlight on Ray Charles
Spotlight on Ray Cha... (1962)
Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits (1962)
Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music Volume Two
Modern Sounds in Cou... (1962)
Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music
Modern Sounds in Cou... (1962)
Ingredients in a Recipe for Soul
Ingredients in a Rec... (1963)
Have a Smile with Me
Have a Smile with Me (1964)
Sweet & Sour Tears
Sweet & Sour Tears (1964)
Together Again
Together Again (1965)
Together Again
Together Again (1965)
Ray's Moods
Ray's Moods (1966)
Crying Time
Crying Time (1966)
Ray Charles Invites You to Listen
Ray Charles Invites... (1967)
I'm All Yours Baby!
I'm All Yours Baby! (1968)
Portrait of Ray
Portrait of Ray (1968)
A Portrait of Ray
A Portrait of Ray (1968)
I'm All Yours Baby
I'm All Yours Baby (1969)
Doing His Thing
Doing His Thing (1969)
My Kind of Jazz
My Kind of Jazz (1970)
The Best of Ray Charles
The Best of Ray Char... (1970)
Love Country Style
Love Country Style (1970)
Volcanic Action of My Soul
Volcanic Action of M... (1971)
Through the Eyes of Love
Through the Eyes of... (1972)
A Message from the People
A Message from the P... (1972)
Through the Eyes of Love
Through the Eyes of... (1972)
Jazz Number II
Jazz Number II (1973)
Come Live With Me
Come Live With Me (1974)
Renaissance
Renaissance (1975)
My Kind of Jazz, Part 3
My Kind of Jazz, Par... (1975)
My Kind of Jazz Part 3
My Kind of Jazz Part... (1975)
True to Life
True to Life (1977)
Love & Peace
Love & Peace (1978)
Ain't It So
Ain't It So (1979)
Brother Ray Is at It Again
Brother Ray Is at It... (1980)
Ballad in Blue
Ballad in Blue (1981)
Wish You Were Here Tonight
Wish You Were Here T... (1983)
Friendship
Friendship (1984)
Do I Ever Cross Your Mind
Do I Ever Cross Your... (1984)
Friendship
Friendship (1984)
The Spirit of Christmas
The Spirit of Christ... (1985)
From the Pages of My Mind
From the Pages of My... (1986)
Just Between Us
Just Between Us (1988)
Would You Believe?
Would You Believe? (1990)
The Birth of Soul
The Birth of Soul (1991)
Live 1991
Live 1991 (1992)
Evening with Ray Charles
Evening with Ray Cha... (1992)
The World of Ray Charles
The World of Ray Cha... (1993)
My World
My World (1993)
It's a Blues Thing
It's a Blues Thing (1995)
Live in Berlin, 1962
Live in Berlin, 1962 (1996)
Strong Love Affair
Strong Love Affair (1996)
I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now
I Wonder Who's Kissi... (1997)
Genius & Soul: The 50th Anniversary Collection
Genius & Soul: The 5... (1997)
In Concert
In Concert (2001)
Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival
Live at the Montreux... (2002)
Thanks for Bringing Love Around Again
Thanks for Bringing... (2002)
Times of Genius
Times of Genius (2002)
Genius of Soul Live
Genius of Soul Live (2002)
Ray Charles Celebrates a Gospel Christmas with the Voices of Jubilation!
Ray Charles Celebrat... (2003)
Ray Charles with the Voices of Jubilation
Ray Charles with the... (2003)
Ray, Rare and Live
Ray, Rare and Live (2003)
Ray Charles in Concert
Ray Charles in Conce... (2003)
Concert of November 22nd 2000 at the Olympia
Concert of November... (2004)
This Is Gold
This Is Gold (2004)
Ray Charles Live: In Concert with the Edmonton Symphony
Ray Charles Live: In... (2004)
Ô-Genio: Live in Brazil, 1963
Ô-Genio: Live in Bra... (2004)
Angels Keep Watching Over Me
Angels Keep Watching... (2004)
Soul of the Holy Land: August 1973
Soul of the Holy Lan... (2004)
The Best of Ray Charles: Live
The Best of Ray Char... (2004)
Genius Loves Company
Genius Loves Company (2004)
Ray
Ray (2004)
Pure Genius: Complete Atlantic Recordings 1952-1959
Pure Genius: Complet... (2005)
In Concert: I Can't Stop Loving You
In Concert: I Can't... (2005)
50 Years in Music
50 Years in Music (2005)
Ray Charles Live
Ray Charles Live (2005)
The Dick Cavett Show: Ray Charles Collection
The Dick Cavett Show... (2005)
Anthology
Anthology (2005)
Genius & Friends
Genius & Friends (2005)
Definitive Gold: Ray Charles
Definitive Gold: Ray... (2006)
Live at Montreux 1997
Live at Montreux 199... (2006)
Golden Legends: Ray Charles Live
Golden Legends: Ray... (2006)
What'd I Say: In Concert
What'd I Say: In Con... (2006)
Ray Sings, Basie Swings
Ray Sings, Basie Swi... (2006)
Forever Gold: Ray Charles
Forever Gold: Ray Ch... (2007)
At the Olympia
At the Olympia (2007)
Everlasting Memories
Everlasting Memories (2007)
Original American Classics: Ray Charles
Original American Cl... (2008)
The Legend Lives On
The Legend Lives On (2008)
The Legend Lives On
The Legend Lives On (2008)
Rare Genius
Rare Genius (2010)
True Genius
True Genius (2021)

Albums ()

True Genius

True Genius

2021

Rare Genius

Rare Genius

2010

Original American Classics: Ray Charles

Original American Classics: Ray Charles

2008

The Legend Lives On

The Legend Lives On

2008

The Legend Lives On

The Legend Lives On

2008

Forever Gold: Ray Charles

Forever Gold: Ray Charles

2007

At the Olympia

At the Olympia

2007

Everlasting Memories

Everlasting Memories

2007

Definitive Gold: Ray Charles

Definitive Gold: Ray Charles

2006

Live at Montreux 1997

Live at Montreux 1997

2006

Golden Legends: Ray Charles Live

Golden Legends: Ray Charles Live

2006

What'd I Say: In Concert

What'd I Say: In Concert

2006

Ray Sings, Basie Swings

Ray Sings, Basie Swings

2006

Genius & Friends

Genius & Friends

2005

Pure Genius: Complete Atlantic Recordings 1952-1959

Pure Genius: Complete Atlantic Recordings 1952-1959

2005

In Concert: I Can't Stop Loving You

In Concert: I Can't Stop Loving You

2005

50 Years in Music

50 Years in Music

2005

Ray Charles Live

Ray Charles Live

2005

The Dick Cavett Show: Ray Charles Collection

The Dick Cavett Show: Ray Charles Collection

2005

Anthology

Anthology

2005

Genius Loves Company

Genius Loves Company

2004

Concert of November 22nd 2000 at the Olympia

Concert of November 22nd 2000 at the Olympia

2004

This Is Gold

This Is Gold

2004

Ray Charles Live: In Concert with the Edmonton Symphony

Ray Charles Live: In Concert with the Edmonton Symphony

2004

Ô-Genio: Live in Brazil, 1963

Ô-Genio: Live in Brazil, 1963

2004

Angels Keep Watching Over Me

Angels Keep Watching Over Me

2004

Soul of the Holy Land: August 1973

Soul of the Holy Land: August 1973

2004

The Best of Ray Charles: Live

The Best of Ray Charles: Live

2004

Ray

Ray

2004

Ray Charles Celebrates a Gospel Christmas with the Voices of Jubilation!

Ray Charles Celebrates a Gospel Christmas with the Voices of Jubilation!

2003

Ray Charles with the Voices of Jubilation

Ray Charles with the Voices of Jubilation

2003

Ray, Rare and Live

Ray, Rare and Live

2003

Ray Charles in Concert

Ray Charles in Concert

2003

Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival

Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival

2002

Thanks for Bringing Love Around Again

Thanks for Bringing Love Around Again

2002

Times of Genius

Times of Genius

2002

Genius of Soul Live

Genius of Soul Live

2002

In Concert

In Concert

2001

I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now

I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now

1997

Genius & Soul: The 50th Anniversary Collection

Genius & Soul: The 50th Anniversary Collection

1997

Strong Love Affair

Strong Love Affair

1996

Live in Berlin, 1962

Live in Berlin, 1962

1996

It's a Blues Thing

It's a Blues Thing

1995

The World of Ray Charles

The World of Ray Charles

1993

My World

My World

1993

Live 1991

Live 1991

1992

Evening with Ray Charles

Evening with Ray Charles

1992

The Birth of Soul

The Birth of Soul

1991

Would You Believe?

Would You Believe?

1990

Just Between Us

Just Between Us

1988

From the Pages of My Mind

From the Pages of My Mind

1986

The Spirit of Christmas

The Spirit of Christmas

1985

Do I Ever Cross Your Mind

Do I Ever Cross Your Mind

1984

Friendship

Friendship

1984

Friendship

Friendship

1984

Wish You Were Here Tonight

Wish You Were Here Tonight

1983

Ballad in Blue

Ballad in Blue

1981

Brother Ray Is at It Again

Brother Ray Is at It Again

1980

Ain't It So

Ain't It So

1979

Love & Peace

Love & Peace

1978

True to Life

True to Life

1977

Renaissance

Renaissance

1975

My Kind of Jazz, Part 3

My Kind of Jazz, Part 3

1975

My Kind of Jazz Part 3

My Kind of Jazz Part 3

1975

Come Live With Me

Come Live With Me

1974

Jazz Number II

Jazz Number II

1973

Through the Eyes of Love

Through the Eyes of Love

1972

Through the Eyes of Love

Through the Eyes of Love

1972

A Message from the People

A Message from the People

1972

Volcanic Action of My Soul

Volcanic Action of My Soul

1971

Love Country Style

Love Country Style

1970

My Kind of Jazz

My Kind of Jazz

1970

Live at the Olympia 2000

Live at the Olympia 2000

Blues

Blues

America the Beautiful

America the Beautiful

Live in Japan

Live in Japan

The Definitive Ray Charles

The Definitive Ray Charles

Live in Concert

Live in Concert

A Man and His Soul

A Man and His Soul

The Best of Ray Charles

The Best of Ray Charles

1970

Live

Live

Ray Charles Anthology

Ray Charles Anthology

I'm All Yours Baby

I'm All Yours Baby

1969

Doing His Thing

Doing His Thing

1969

I'm All Yours Baby!

I'm All Yours Baby!

1968

Portrait of Ray

Portrait of Ray

1968

A Portrait of Ray

A Portrait of Ray

1968

Ray Charles Invites You to Listen

Ray Charles Invites You to Listen

1967

Ray's Moods

Ray's Moods

1966

Crying Time

Crying Time

1966

Together Again

Together Again

1965

Together Again

Together Again

1965

Have a Smile with Me

Have a Smile with Me

1964

Sweet & Sour Tears

Sweet & Sour Tears

1964

Ingredients in a Recipe for Soul

Ingredients in a Recipe for Soul

1963

Greatest Hits

Greatest Hits

1962

Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music

Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music

1962

Spotlight on Ray Charles

Spotlight on Ray Charles

1962

Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music Volume Two

Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music Volume Two

1962

Do the Twist! with Ray Charles

Do the Twist! with Ray Charles

1961

The Genius After Hours

The Genius After Hours

1961

The Genius Sings the Blues

The Genius Sings the Blues

1961

Ray Charles and Betty Carter

Ray Charles and Betty Carter

1961

Genius + Soul = Jazz

Genius + Soul = Jazz

1961

Soul Meeting

Soul Meeting

1961

Dedicated to You

Dedicated to You

1961

The Genius Hits the Road

The Genius Hits the Road

1960

Ray Charles in Person

Ray Charles in Person

1960

What'd I Say

What'd I Say

1959

The Genius of Ray Charles

The Genius of Ray Charles

1959

Ray Charles at Newport

Ray Charles at Newport

1958

Soul Brothers

Soul Brothers

1958

Yes Indeed!

Yes Indeed!

1958

The Great Ray Charles

The Great Ray Charles

1957

Ray Charles

Ray Charles

1957

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