Ray Charles - Blues & Rhythm Series 5134: The Chronological Ray Charles 1953-1954

Size: 148 MB
Time: 52:15
File: FLAC
Released: 2005
Styles: Blues, R&B
Art: Full

01. Someday Baby (Worried Life Blues) (3:00)
02. Low Society (2:54)
03. It Should Have Been Me (2:44)
04. Losing Hand (3:13)
05. Heartbreaker (2:53)
06. Sinner's Prayer (3:24)
07. Mess Around (2:41)
08. Funny But I Still Love You (3:14)
09. Feelin' Sad (2:50)
10. I Wonder Who (2:49)
11. Don't You Know (2:57)
12. Nobody Cares (2:40)
13. Ray's Blues (2:55)
14. Mr. Charles Blues (2:48)
15. Blackjack (2:20)
16. I've Got A Woman (2:52)
17. Greenbacks (2:51)
18. Come Back Baby (3:03)

Classics 5134 1953-1954 spotlights Ray Charles earliest sessions for Atlantic Records. Recorded in New York, New Orleans, and Atlanta between May 1953 and November 1954, Charles is heard in three different settings: solo, fronting a small combo with a horn section, and with a full orchestra. It was at this point in his career that Ray Charles hooked up with Atlantic moguls Ahmet Ertegun and Jerry Wexler and recorded the passionate, gospel-inspired material that gained him worldwide recognition, brought to fruition by the hit "I've Got a Woman." This is another enjoyable installment of Classics Blues & Rhythm Series recommended to both collectors and casual fans alike. ~Al Campbell

The Chronological Ray Charles 1953-1954

---

Ray Charles - Blues & Rhythm Series 5050: The Chronological Ray Charles 1950-1952

Size: 164 MB
Time: 64:53
File: FLAC
Released: 2003
Styles: Blues, R&B
Art: Full

01. Th'ego Song (2:22)
02. Late In The Evening Blues (3:06)
03. Someday (3:10)
04. I'll Do Anything But Work (2:28)
05. I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now (2:20)
06. All To Myself (2:00)
07. Lonely Boy (2:50)
08. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand (3:02)
09. I'm Glad For Your Sake (2:46)
10. Baby Won't You Please Come Home (2:55)
11. Hey Now (2:19)
12. Kissa Me Baby (3:07)
13. The Snow Is Falling (2:50)
14. Misery In My Heart (3:04)
15. Baby Let Me Hear You Call My Name (3:34)
16. Walkin' And Talkin' (3:09)
17. I'm Wonderin' And Wonderin' (3:19)
18. I Can't Do No More (Why Did You Go) (2:50)
19. Guitar Blues (2:33)
20. The Sun's Gonna Shine Again (2:38)
21. Roll With Me Baby (2:36)
22. The Midnight Hour (3:02)
23. Jumpin' In The Morning (2:43)

These early recordings by Ray Charles have often been righteously criticized as being too deeply influenced by Nat King Cole. That notion is correct, but one can also hear the roots of his arrangement style in these sides, and they also include his very first chart hits, most notably "Baby, Let Me Hold Your Hand" from 1951. These are development years for Charles, and he was moving further afield from the smooth jazzy style that Cole had pioneered. The deep R&B influence was here, but it had not yet been fused to gospel. This is mildly interesting stuff for most listeners, but Charles devotees would find revelation in it nonetheless. These recordings should also be of interest to fans of the late jazz saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, who made his debut as a soloist on these sides. ~Thom Jurek

The Chronological Ray Charles 1950-1952

---

Ray Charles - Blues & Rhythm Series Classics 5000: The Chronological Ray Charles 1949-1950

Size: 139 MB
Time: 55:54
File: FLAC
Released: 2001
Styles: Blues, R&B, Jazz
Art: Full

01. I Love You, I Love You (2:42)
02. Confession Blues (2:29)
03. Alone In This City (2:57)
04. Can Anyone Ask For More (2:49)
05. Rockin' Chair Blues (2:46)
06. Here I Am (2:32)
07. If I Give You My Love (2:38)
08. Can't You See Darling (2:39)
09. This Love Of Mine (3:03)
10. Blues Before Sunrise (2:49)
11. How Long Blues (2:36)
12. A Sentimental Blues (2:27)
13. You'll Always Miss The Water (2:49)
14. Ain't That Fine (2:17)
15. Don't Put All Your Dreams In One Basket (2:51)
16. Sittin' On Top Of The World (2:17)
17. I've Had My Fun (2:42)
18. See See Rider (2:35)
19. What Have I Done (2:33)
20. Honey Honey (2:43)
21. She's On The Ball (2:29)

1949-1950 highlights the earliest Ray Charles sessions for the Swingtime and Downbeat labels, featuring 15 tracks from 1949 and six from 1950. Anyone with the slightest interest in Charles should investigate this material. It's amazing to hear Charles' metamorphosis from silky-voiced pop crooning (imitating his idols Charles Brown and Nat King Cole) into his passionate gospel-powered voice shortly after he signed with Atlantic Records in 1952. ~Al Campbell

The Chronological Ray Charles 1949-195

---

VA - Please Release Me: The Soulful Side Of Country

Size: 184,8 MB
Time: 77:15
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Soul, Country, R&B
Art: Front & Back

01. Little Esther Phillips - Release Me (3:20)
02. Arthur Alexander - I Wonder Where You Are Tonight (2:36)
03. Cookie - Got You On My Mind (2:35)
04. Big Maybelle - Cold, Cold Heart (3:10)
05. Adam Wade - The Writing On The Wall (2:31)
06. Solomon Burke - Just Out Of Reach (Of My Two Open Arms) (2:44)
07. Ray Charles - Take These Chains From My Heart (2:54)
08. Brook Benton - Hotel Happiness (2:40)
09. Lavern Baker - Shake A Hand (2:48)
10. Bobby Bland - Who Will The Next Fool Be (2:28)
11. Clyde McPhatter - I'm Movin' On (1:49)
12. Ben E. King - My Heart Cries For You (2:18)
13. Little Esther Phillips - Why Should We Try Anymore (2:07)
14. Little Willie John - She Thinks I Still Care (2:52)
15. Elton Anderson - The Secret Of Love (2:25)
16. Arthur Alexander - I Hang My Head And Cry (2:30)
17. Fats Domino - Your Cheatin' Heart (2:07)
18. Fontella Bass - I Don't Hurt Anymore (2:06)
19. Lavern Baker - Hey Memphis (2:31)
20. William Bell - Please Help Me I'm Falling (2:19)
21. Phil Phillips - Sea Of Love (2:21)
22. Varetta Dillard - A Little Bitty Tear (2:02)
23. Little Willie John - Big Blue Diamonds (2:45)
24. Little Esther Phillips - Am I That Easy To Forget (2:49)
25. Ray Charles - Making Believe (2:53)
26. Adam Wade - As If I Didn't Know (3:01)
27. Brook Benton - Take Good Care Of Her (3:31)
28. Solomon Burke - I Really Don't Want To Know (3:30)
29. Ted Taylor - I'll Release You (3:20)

When it comes to soul music meeting country music there have been a number of golden eras; at the top of the list there’s performances heard on this star-studded compilation that is primarily taken from1962. The words classy and quality come to mind throughout the eclectic compilation.

The 29 track release comes with a handful from 1958 –1959 and 1961, as you have such acts as Ray Charles, Solomon Burke, Fats Domino, Clyde McPhatter, Little Willie John, Ben E. King and LaVern Baker among others heard covering material from Hank Williams, Fred Rose, Dickey Le Lipscomb, Hank Cochran, Jimmy Work, Hank Snow, Gene Autry and Johnny Bond among others.

Loaded in brass and harmony vocals and other appropriate flavours the material is sure to please both country and soul fans. I have lost count on tracks where I’ll habitually press replay, among those at the top of the list you have Baker singing “Hey Memphis” (an answer song to Elvis Presley’s hit “Little Sister”), Varetta Dillard’s “A Little Bitty Tear” and of course Ray Charles and his killer versions of “Take These Chains From My Heart“ and “Making Believe”, plus the all too often under appreciated Arthur Alexander (“I Wonder Where You Are Tonight” and “I Hang My Heart And Cry”) and the great Fats Domino with “Your Cheatin’ Heart”. Possessing a burning desire and mood striking feel you have 'Little Esher' Phillips serve up a stunning version of “Am I That Easy To Forget”, and with Ray Charles decked out in mouth-watering strings and female harmony vocals following with above noted treasure “Makin' Believe”, and shortly after Adam Wade with answer song (to “Please release Me”), “I'll Release You”.

For a slick, smoother sound Solomon Burke delivers “Just Out Of Reach”, and for a real show - stopper (and a half) LaVern Baker’s version of “Shake A Hand” has it all, and on pulling out all the stops she knocked me sideways with her terrific take of “Little Sister”; performed as “Hey Mister” it is an explosive affair. Follow that anyone! ~Maurice Hope

Please Release Me

---

VA - Hoodoo Voodoo

Size: 232,7 MB
Time: 98:49
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2018
Styles: Blues, Rock, R&B
Art: Front

01 Lavern Baker - Voodoo Voodoo (1:48)
02 Dr. John - I Been Hoodood (3:12)
03 The Paul Butterfield Blues Band - I Got My Mojo Working (3:32)
04 Tony Joe White - Conjure Woman (3:58)
05 The Coasters - Idol With The Golden Head (2:21)
06 Chris Connor - Witchcraft (3:06)
07 The Sleepstones - I Put A Spell On You (3:46)
08 Esther Phillips - Mojo Hannah (2:24)
09 Brook Benton - Born Under A Bad Sign (3:06)
10 Bobby Short - Witchcraft (2:20)
11 Ray Charles - The Midnight Hour (3:02)
12 David Newman - Congo Chant (4:23)
13 The Coasters - The Shadow Knows (2:15)
14 The Shadows Of Knight - Bad Little Woman (2:33)
15 The Nashville Teens - Hoochie Coochie Man (3:35)
16 Top Cats - Fortune Teller (2:43)
17 Dave Edmunds - Ju Ju Man (3:25)
18 The Blasters - Dark Night (3:48)
19 Champion Jack Dupree - Evil Woman (4:20)
20 Jackson Firebird - Voodoo (3:49)
21 Green On Red - Sixteen Ways (3:39)
22 Dr Feelgood - Lucky Seven (2:44)
23 Crazyhead - Fortune Teller (2:57)
24 Screaming Sirens - Voodoo (3:06)
25 Tony Joe White - Voodoo Village (3:06)
26 Dr. John - Zu Zu Mamou (7:59)
27 Mudhoney - Thirteenth Floor Opening (2:31)
28 Alice Cooper - Black Juju (9:07)

Hoodoo Voodoo

---

VA - Piano Blues

Size: 161,2 MB
Time: 68:38
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2018
Styles: Piano Blues, Blues Rock, woogie Boogie
Art: Front

01 Dr. John - Fess Up (Instrumental Version) (Live) (3:13)
02 Aretha Franklin - Honest I Do (3:16)
03 Champion Jack Dupree - Don't Leave Me Mary (2:52)
04 Fats Domino - I Know (2:49)
05 Nina Simone - Baseball Boogie (Outtake) (0:54)
06 Charlie Norman - Boogie Woogie On St Louis Blues (3:01)
07 Joe Turner - Roll 'Em Pete (3:43)
08 Alan Price - You Won't Get Me (4:03)
09 Jerry Lee Lewis - Rockin' Little Angel (1:58)
10 The Sammy Price Trio - Hot Club Boogie (6:01)
11 Ray Charles - Boogie Woogie (Rehearsal Session With Ahmet Ertegun, 1953) (1:57)
12 Junior Mance - Don't Worry 'Bout It (Single Version) (5:03)
13 The Incredible String Band - Robot Blues (4:07)
14 Danny O'Keefe - If Ya Can't Boogie, Woogie (You Sure Can't Rock & Roll) (3:09)
15 Billy Taylor - Summertime (3:47)
16 Chas & Dave - I Wonder In Whose Arms (3:33)
17 The Kingbees - Life's Too Short (To Be With You) (3:54)
18 Leadbelly - Big Fat Woman (1:20)
19 The Everly Brothers - Blueberry Hill (3:00)
20 Wilbur De Paris - Piano Blues (Live At Symphony Hall) (6:47)

Piano Blues

---

VA - Jazz Blues

Size: 191,5 MB
Time: 82:20
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2018
Styles: Blues Jazz
Art: Front

01 Wilbur De Paris & Jimmy Witherspoon - How Long Blues ( 2:59)
02 Dinah Washington - The Blues Ain't Nothin' But A Woman Cryin' For Her Man ( 3:42)
03 Ray Charles - Nobody Cares ( 2:39)
04 Mose Allison - I Ain't Got Nothing But The Blues ( 3:54)
05 Aretha Franklin - Today I Sing The Blues ( 4:22)
06 T-Bone Walker - Call It Stormy Monday ( 3:01)
07 The Sir Douglas Band - Ain't That Loving You ( 4:54)
08 Peanuts Holland & Holland Peanuts Orchestra - Peanuts Butter Blues ( 2:51)
09 Al Hibbler & Billy Taylor Orchestra - The Blues Came Falling Down ( 2:54)
10 Nina Simone - Do I Move You (Outtake) ( 3:18)
11 Roy Eldridge Sextet - No Rolling Blues ( 3:02)
12 Bette Midler - Empty Bed Blues ( 3:18)
13 Ivory Joe Hunter - Can't Explain How It Happened ( 2:43)
14 Billy Eckstine - Like Wow ( 2:07)
15 Lavern Baker - Money Blues ( 2:50)
16 Chris Connor - About The Blues ( 3:40)
17 Helen Shapiro - Blues In The Night ( 4:04)
18 Alan Price - Willie The Queen ( 3:13)
19 Danny O'Keefe - Farewell To Storyville (Good Time Flat Blues) ( 4:08)
20 Esther Phillips - Blow Top Blues - Jelly Jelly Blues - Long John Blues (10:40)
21 Dr. John - Dear Old Southland ( 2:41)
22 Bernt Rosengren - Meaning Of The Blues ( 5:09)

Jazz Blues

---

Various - Piano Blues & Boogie Woogie

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 69:27
Size: 159.0 MB
Styles: Piano blues, Boogie woogie
Year: 2017
Art: Front

[2:55] 1. Emmett Berry - Twelve O'clock Blues
[2:07] 2. Dr. John - Tipitina
[3:24] 3. Chuck E. Weiss - Down The Road A Piece
[3:43] 4. Big Joe Turner - Roll 'em Pete
[5:08] 5. ¡cubanismo! - Junco Partner
[3:51] 6. Ray Charles - Rockhouse (Parts 1 & 2)
[4:00] 7. Champion Jack Dupree - Goin' Down Slow
[2:36] 8. Mose Allison - Seventh Son
[2:26] 9. Booker T. & The M.G.'s - Booker's Notion
[2:12] 10. Bobby Short - Down In Mexico
[3:47] 11. Jerry Lee Lewis - Number One Lovin' Man
[2:55] 12. Charlie Norman - Metronome Boogie
[5:41] 13. James Booker - Goodnight Irene
[3:43] 14. Paul Butterfield's Better Days - - Buried Alive In The Blues
[3:12] 15. Junior Mance - I Believe To My Soul
[5:04] 16. Delaney & Bonnie - Miss Ann
[3:55] 17. The Kingbees - Life's Too Short (To Be With You)
[3:33] 18. Chas & Dave - I Wonder In Whose Arms
[2:38] 19. Pedro's Heavy Gentlemen - Love And Joy
[2:29] 20. Freddie King - Sweet Thing

Boogie-woogie is a musical genre that became popular during the late 1920s, but developed in African American communities in the 1870s. It was eventually extended from piano, to piano duo and trio, guitar, big band, country and western music, and gospel. While the blues traditionally expresses a variety of emotions, boogie-woogie is mainly associated with dancing.

Piano Blues & Boogie Woogie

---

VA - Please Release Me: The Soulful Side Of Country

Size: 184,7 MB
Time: 77:18
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Country Soul
Art: Front

01. Little Esther Phillips - Release Me (3:20)
02. Arthur Alexander - I Wonder Where You Are Tonight (2:36)
03. Cookie - Got You On My Mind` (2:35)
04. Big Maybelle - Cold, Cold Heart (3:10)
05. Adam Wade - The Writing On The Wall (2:31)
06. Solomon Burke - Just Out Of Reach (Of My Two Open Arms) (2:44)
07. Ray Charles - Take These Chains From My Heart (2:54)
08. Brook Benton - Hotel Happiness (2:40)
09. Lavern Baker - Shake A Hand (2:48)
10. Bobby Bland - Who Will The Next Fool Be (2:28)
11. Clyde McPhatter - I'm Movin' On (1:49)
12. Ben E. King - My Heart Cries For You (2:18)
13. Little Esther Phillips - Why Should We Try Anymore (2:07)
14. Little Willie John - She Thinks I Still Care (2:52)
15. Elton Anderson - The Secret Of Love (2:25)
16. Arthur Alexander - I Hang My Head And Cry (2:30)
17. Fats Domino - Your Cheatin' Heart (2:07)
18. Fontella Bass - I Don't Hurt Anymore (2:06)
19. Lavern Baker - Hey Memphis (2:31)
20. William Bell - Please Help Me I'm Falling (2:19)
21. Phil Phillips - Sea Of Love (2:21)
22. Varetta Dillard - A Little Bitty Tear (2:02)
23. Little Willie John - Big Blue Diamonds (2:49)
24. Little Esther Phillips - Am I That Easy To Forget (2:49)
25. Ray Charles - Making Believe (2:53)
26. Adam Wade - As If I Didn't Know (3:01)
27. Brook Benton - Take Good Care Of Her (3:31)
28. Solomon Burke - I Really Don't Want To Know (3:30)
29. Ted Taylor - I'll Release You (3:20)

The unexpected success of Ray Charles' million selling Modern Sounds In Country & Western Music LP, in the Spring of 1962, led to a flood of soul and R&B artists recording C&W songs. Including Ben E. King, Clyde McPhatter, William Bell, Arthur Alexander and most notably 'Little Esther' Phillips, whose million-selling revival of the old Ray Price hit 'Release Me' provides our title track (in closing, the remarkable Ted Taylor weighs in with his classic Answer Disc, 'I'll Release You'). Yet ironically, artists like Solomon Burke, LaVern Baker, Little Willie John, Brook Benton, Bobby Bland, Adam Wade, Varetta Dillard, Big Maybelle and Fontella Bass had long been singing Country, often enjoying great commercial successes. Louisiana was another hotbed of R&B/C&W crossover, as evidenced by Elton Anderson, Cookie & His Cupcakes, Phil Phillips and particularly Fats Domino, who'd been singing Hank Williams' songs since the 40s. This is a unique and irresistible collection of big hits and collectors' obscurities.

Please Release Me

---

Various - A Riot In Blues

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:59
Size: 128.2 MB
Styles: Assorted styles
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[3:31] 1. Ray Charles - I Found My Baby
[2:48] 2. Ray Charles - Why Did You Go
[2:32] 3. Ray Charles - Guitar Blues
[2:57] 4. John Lee Hooker - The Syndicator
[2:59] 5. John Lee Hooker - Hobo Blues
[2:51] 6. John Lee Hooker - Down Child
[2:07] 7. Lil' Son Jackson - Bad Whiskey
[2:48] 8. Lil' Son Jackson - Cairo Blues
[2:43] 9. Lightnin' Hopkins - Merry Christmas Baby
[2:57] 10. Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee - Miss Christine
[2:53] 11. Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee - Harmonica Train
[2:14] 12. Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee - Key To The Highway
[2:29] 13. James Wayne - Tend To Your Business
[3:00] 14. James Wayne - Bull Corn
[2:15] 15. James Wayne - I'm Going To Tell Your Mother
[2:27] 16. Arbee Stidham - I'm In The Mood
[3:27] 17. Arbee Stidham - Feeling Blue And Low
[3:35] 18. Arbee Stidham - I Want To Rock
[2:41] 19. Lil' Son Jackson - No Money No Love
[2:38] 20. Ray Johnson - House Of Blues

This showcase for different varieties of blues, from the acoustic harmonica/guitar work of Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee to the electric band work of Ray Charles and Arbee Stidham, is more substantial than its 20 cuts would lead one to expect. There's no shortage of outstanding recordings. Ray Charles may only do three numbers, but he shows off some surprising attributes, his singing overpowering everything around him for the first two tracks, "Why Did You Go?" and "I Found My Baby There," before he yields to the band on the instrumental "Guitar Blues," the guitarist getting most of the dialogue and the last word over Charles' piano. The Cajun-flavored work of James Wayne adds still greater variety, along with his decidedly more R&B-based approach to the blues, coming off almost like a full-blown rock & roll number. Producer Bob Shad outdid himself in recording and selecting this material, and this collection -- originally released on the Time label -- deserves to be better known than it is.

A Riot In Blues mc
A Riot In Blues zippy

---