The Birth of Soul

by Ray Charles

The Birth of Soul cover art
  • Type: Compilation
  • Released: 1 October 1991
  • Label: Atlantic
  • Country: United States
  • Length: 2:30:00
  • Community rating: 4.2/5 from 2 ratings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Gathering the genius's seminal recordings for Atlantic Records between 1952 and 1959, this box set traces the literal invention of soul music. The tracks brilliantly demonstrate his revolutionary, highly controversial fusion of secular blues and R&B structures with the intense vocal fervor of Sunday morning gospel. It is an indispensable document of a primary architect of modern American music.

Genres

Descriptors: rhythmic, melodic

Tracklist

  1. The Sun's Gonna Shine Again (2:41)
  2. Roll with My Baby (2:37)
  3. The Midnight Hour (3:01)
  4. Jumpin' in the Mornin' (2:43)
  5. It Should Have Been Me (2:40)
  6. Losing Hand (3:11)
  7. Heartbreaker (2:54)
  8. Sinner's Prayer (3:25)
  9. Mess Around (2:40)
  10. Funny (But I Still Love You) (3:16)
  11. Feelin' Sad (2:52)
  12. I Wonder Who (2:46)
  13. Don't You Know (2:57)
  14. Nobody Cares (2:40)
  15. Ray's Blues (2:55)
  16. Mr. Charles' Blues (2:47)
  17. Blackjack (2:19)
  18. I've Got a Woman (2:51)
  19. Greenbacks (2:51)
  20. Come Back Baby (3:06)
  21. A Fool for You (3:02)
  22. This Little Girl of Mine (2:34)
  23. Hard Times (No One Knows Better Than I) (2:55)
  24. A Bit of Soul (2:19)
  25. Mary Ann (2:47)
  26. Drown in My Own Tears (3:21)
  27. Hallelujah, I Love Her So (2:35)
  28. What Would I Do Without You (2:38)
  29. Lonely Avenue (2:36)
  30. I Want to Know (2:25)
  31. Leave My Woman Alone (2:41)
  32. It's All Right (2:17)
  33. Ain't That Love (2:53)
  34. Get on the Right Track (2:22)
  35. Rockhouse, Pt. 1 & 2 (3:54)
  36. Swanee River Rock (Talkin' 'Bout That River) (2:17)
  37. That's Enough (2:47)
  38. Talkin' 'Bout You (2:48)
  39. What Kind of Man Are You (2:51)
  40. I Want a Little Girl (2:57)
  41. Yes Indeed! (2:16)
  42. I Had a Dream (2:54)
  43. You Be My Baby (2:31)
  44. Tell All the World About You (2:05)
  45. My Bonnie (2:49)
  46. Early in the Morning (2:48)
  47. The Right Time (3:19)
  48. Carrying That Load (2:24)
  49. Tell Me How Do You Feel (2:43)
  50. What'd I Say, Pt. 1 & 2 (5:07)
  51. Tell the Truth - Live at Herndon Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, 5/28/1959 (3:04)
  52. I'm Movin' On (2:22)
  53. I Believe to My Soul (3:02)

Credits

  • Ray Charles - primary artist, electric piano [wurlitzer], organ, vocals, written-by
  • Auguste "Dimes" Dupont - alto saxophone
  • David "Fathead" Newman - alto saxophone, baritone saxophone, tenor saxophone
  • O'Neil Gerald - alto saxophone
  • Jesse Stone - arranged by
  • Raelets - backing vocals
  • The Cookies - backing vocals
  • Cecil Payne - baritone saxophone

More from Ray Charles: full discography