RAY CHARLES The Definitive Ray Charles (Crimson)

Aug 4 2008 By Bev Bevan

It is difficult to overstate just how important Ray Charles was as a singer, songwriter, pianist and general influence on the world of popular music.

His nickname “The Genius” is not exaggerated. His brilliant and groundbreaking composition and recording of What’d I Say was the one record that, above all others, began my love affair with rock’n’roll. This 54-track 3-CD boxset features the best of Ray’s work from the 1950s.

Standout tracks include What’d I Say, I’ve Got A Woman, Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying, Hallelujah I Love Her So, Lonely Avenue, Drown In My Own Tears, Let The Good Times Roll, Mess Around and Come Rain Or Come Shine – absolute classics every one.

This budget-priced collection would go very nicely as a gift with the now budget DVD of the excellent Ray Charles biopic Ray.