The Birth of Soul

by Ray Charles

The Birth of Soul cover art

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

  • Rhythm & Blues
  • Soul
  • Soul Blues

Tracklist

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