SwingDJs

Just heard on my local oldies station that Ray Charles has died. Has anyone seen anything online?

Tina

It's on the front page of cnn.com at the moment.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Music/0 ... index.html

Yep.. just found out myself.

BBC News Article:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3796085.stm

Thanks.

Tina

I just heard about it on NPR. I just put his version of "Doodlin'" on a mix this morning...

Music Icon Ray Charles Dies in California at Age 73

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Ray Charles (news), who overcame poverty, blindness and heroin addiction to lay the foundation for soul music and become one of America's most beloved entertainers, died on Thursday at the age of 73 after a long fight with liver disease, his spokesman said.

...

"He is one of the most important artists of the last century," Ahmet Ertegun, who signed Charles to his Atlantic Records label 52 years ago, told Reuters. "The only artist that had a greater influence was Louis Armstrong (news)."

...

Other hits include the ballad "Georgia On My Mind," which became the official state song of Charles' home state, as well as "Hit the Road Jack," "The Right Time," "Yes, Indeed," "Hallelujah, I Love Her So" and "I Can't Stop Loving You."

While best known for his contributions to soul music, Charles achieved success with pop standards, jazz tunes and country music.

I just saw David "Fathead" Newman tonight & he played "Hard Times." It was sad and he seemed a bit melancholy. Great show, though.

I love Ray Charles. He was a truly diverse, gifted musician.

My favorite Ray Charles songs to play for Lindyhoppers:

Doodlin (116)(rjbedit)
Get On the Right Track (163)
Night Time (78)(for blues dancing)
Rockhouse (124)
Swanee River Rock (132)
Roll With My Baby (128)
I've Got News for You (72)(blues dancing)
Just a Little Lovin' (127)

Sorry for the lack of album references.

But there are plenty of others, which we've covered in other threads. But heck, we can call them out again! What are your favorite Charles tunes for Lindyhoppers?

Oh and

You are My Sunshine!

More Ray Charles talk can be found at this older Ray Charles thread.

http://www.swingdjs.com/phpbb2/viewtopi ... ay+charles

My favorite Charles recording is 'Modern Sounds of Country and Western'.

Had that in the car last night as we went to a club. Then during the 10 o'clock news, one of the local tv stations was at the club broadcasting a short segment live. The band played "Georgia..." in the background.

Fun, but a sad evening all at once.

Many of the tracks Ron listed are found on the box set The Birth of Soul from Atlantic.

I also regularly play "Roll With My Baby" and "Rockhouse Pts. 1&2," as well as some of the bluesy tracks.

Shorty Dave turned me on to a great tune: "Mister C"

Jerry_Jelinek wrote:My favorite Charles recording is 'Modern Sounds of Country and Western'.

Had that in the car last night as we went to a club. Then during the 10 o'clock news, one of the local tv stations was at the club broadcasting a short segment live. The band played "Georgia..." in the background.

Fun, but a sad evening all at once.

I suprised myself by how emotional I got listening to his music over the weekend --- and I almost cried listening to your clip "Bye-Bye Love".

We had quite the treat last Thursday; that's our night to go out and listen to the Ham Carson Quintet (and for those of you who enjoyed them at Camp Jitterbug they will be back for the Seattle Exchange...). Ham was out of town, so Floyd Standifer sat in - he came to Seattle in '46 and played with Ray Charles (along with Quincy Jones and Ernestine Anderson) when they were all active in the Seattle Jazz scene in the late '40s.

They played Georgia on My Mind - it was so beautiful. As Jerry said - fun, but definitely sad.