The Birth of Soul: The Complete Atlantic Rhythm and Blues Recordings, 1952 - 1959
Ray Charles
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The Birth of Soul: The Complete Atlantic Rhythm and Blues Recordings, 1952 - 1959 by Ray Charles ranked # 53 on Rolling Stone Magazine's 500 Greatest Albums list.

Though this is not the most recent Ray Charles box set collection, it may be the best. That's because it focuses on Ray's great growth in the 1950s, particularly his days with Atlantic Records.

The set opens with Ray still in a Charles Brown, smooth-voice, mellow-piano mode, but in short order, he discovers his own identity. From the good time of "It Should Have Been Me" on disc one, though the orgiastic "What'd I Say, Parts 1 & 2" on disc three, the man they call "The Genius" rocks, rolls, raises the rafters, and sinks way down low with the blues.

This box also features an excellent essay by the late music historian, Robert Palmer.
-- Robert Gordon

Track Listing

Disc: 1

1. The Sun's Gonna Shine Again
2. Roll With My Baby
3. The Midnight Hour
4. Jumpin' In The Morning
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

Disc: 2

1. I Got A Woman
2. Greenbacks
3. Come Back Baby
4. A Fool For You
5. This Little Girl Of Mine
6. Hard Times
7. A Bit Of Soul
8. Mary Ann
9. Drown In My Own Tears
10. Hallelujah I Love Her So
11. What Would I Do Without You
12. Lonely Avenue
13. I Want To Know
14. Leave My Woman Alone
15. It's Alright
16. Ain't That Love
17. Get On The Right Track
18. Rockhouse Parts 1 & 2

Disc: 3

1. Swanee River Rock
2. That's Enough
3. Talkin' About You
4. What Kind Of Man Are You
5. I Want A Little Girl
6. Yes Indeed
7. I Had A Dream
8. You Be My Baby
9. Tell All The World About You
10. My Bonnie
11. Early In The Morning
12. The Right Time
13. Carryin' The Load
14. Tell Me How Do You Feel
15. What'd I Say, Parts 1 & 2
16. Tell The Truth
17. I'm Movin' On
18. I Believe To My Soul

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