In 1959-1962, Ray Charles’s career was in the heavens, and this definitive set prepared by Joël Dufour draws on the most intense period of Ray’s recordings. The ability of “The Genius” to produce new things artistically could no longer be judged by the same standards, with Ray showing rare eclecticism. Expressing his talents without reserve, he delivered his greatest hits, from “Georgia on My Mind” to “Hit The Road Jack” and “Unchain My Heart”… The titles here are precious evidence of the period when a very gifted rhythm & blues artist transformed into the eternal idol of pop. - Patrick FRÉMEAUX.
CD1 : THEM THAT GOT • WHO YOU GONNA LOVE • MY BABY (I LOVE HER, YES I DO) • GEORGIA ON MY MIND • MOONLIGHT IN VERMONT • MOON OVER MIAMI • BLUE HAWAII • CHATTANOOGA CHOO CHOO • BASIN STREET BLUES • DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS • MISSISSIPPI MUD • ALABAMY BOUND • CALIFORNIA HERE I COME • NEW YORK’S MY HOME • CARRY ME BACK TO OLD VIRGINNY • I WONDER (SINGLE VERSION) • STICKS AND STONES • WORRIED LIFE BLUES • NANCY • RUBY • STELLA BY STARLIGHT • CHERRY • CANDY • DIANE.
CD2 : MARGIE • SWEET GEORGIA BROWN • HARD HEARTED HANNAH • ROSETTA • MARIE • JOSEPHINE • MOANIN’ • STRIKE UP THE BAND • FROM THE HEART • STOMPIN’ ROOM ONLY • MISTER C • I’VE GOT NEWS FOR YOU • THE BIRTH OF THE BLUES • ONE MINT JULEP • I’M GONNA MOVE TO THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN • LET’S GO • INTRO: GOODBYE WE’LL BE TOGETHER AGAIN • ALONE TOGETHER • EV’RY TIME WE SAY GOODBYE • FOR ALL WE KNOW • COCKTAILS FOR TWO.
CD3 : YOU AND I • TAKES TWO TO TANGO • SIDE BY SIDE • BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE • TOGETHER • PEOPLE WILL SAY WE’RE IN LOVE • JUST YOU JUST ME • UNCHAIN MY HEART (SINGLE & MONO LP VERSION) • HIT THE ROAD JACK • THE DANGER ZONE • BUT ON THE OTHER HAND BABY • BYE BYE LOVE • CARELESS LOVE • HEY GOOD LOOKIN’ • HALF AS MUCH • JUST A LITTLE LOVIN’ • IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE NOW • AT THE CLUB • HIDE NOR HAIR.
CD4 : I LOVE YOU SO MUCH IT HURTS • YOU DON’T KNOW ME • I CAN’T STOP LOVING YOU • BORN TO LOSE • YOU WIN AGAIN • WORRIED MIND • YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE • MIDNIGHT • SOMEDAY (YOU’LL WANT ME TO WANT YOU) • DON’T TELL ME YOUR TROUBLES • OH LONESOME ME • NO LETTER TODAY • YOUR CHEATING HEART • MAKING BELIEVE • I’LL NEVER STAND IN YOUR WAY • TAKE THESE CHAINS FROM MY HEART • HANG YOUR HEAD IN SHAME • TEARDROPS IN MY HEART • I WONDER (ALTERNATE TAKE: LP VERSION) • UNCHAIN MY HEART (ALTERNATE TAKE: STEREO LP VERSION) *BONUS TRACK (ON CD FOR THE FIRST TIME): GOING TO THE RIVER (ALTERNATE TAKE OF “MISERY IN MY HEART”).