The Very Best

~ Release by Ray Charles (see all versions of this release, 1 available)

Tracklist

▼ Medium 1
#TitleRatingLength
1Georgia on My Mind
producer:
Sid Feller
bass guitar:
Edgar Willis (bass) (on 1960-03-25)
drums (drum set):
Milton Turner (on 1960-03-25)
piano:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) (on 1960-03-25)
vocals:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) (on 1960-03-25)
arranger:
Ralph Burns
recorded at:
Capitol Studios (Hollywood, CA, founded 1956) in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1960-03-25)
part of:
Dave Marsh: The Best of the Top 40 Singles: 1960 (number: 16), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 44) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 283)
cover recording of:
Georgia on My Mind (on 1960-03-25)
anthem of:
Georgia, United States (from 1979 to present)
lyricist:
Stuart Gorrell (in 1930)
composer:
Hoagy Carmichael (in 1930)
publisher:
Peer International Corporation (BMI), Peermusic III, Ltd. (BMI), Campbell Connelly & Co. Ltd. (from 1930 to present) and Southern Music Publishing Co., Inc. ((ASCAP) tradename Peermusic) (from 1930 to present)
sub-publisher:
ピアーミュージック (Peer Music Japan, Japan, subsidiary of Nichion)
arrangement of:
Georgia on My Mind (Solo piano arrangement)
3.653:39
2I Got a Woman
recorded in:
Atlanta, Georgia, United States (on 1954-11-18)
producer:
Ahmet Ertegun (US American Songwriter, producer) and Jerry Wexler
baritone saxophone:
David “Fathead” Newman (American jazz saxophonist) (on 1954-11-18)
bass:
Jimmy Bell (jazz bassist) (on 1954-11-18)
drums (drum set):
Glenn Brooks (on 1954-11-18)
guitar:
Wesley Jackson (US R&B guitarist) (on 1954-11-18)
piano:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) (on 1954-11-18)
solo tenor saxophone:
Donald Wilkerson (US jazz/R&B saxophonist) (on 1954-11-18)
trumpet:
Joe Bridgewater (on 1954-11-18) and Charles "Clanky" Whitley (on 1954-11-18)
vocals:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) (on 1954-11-18)
arranger:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter)
recording of:
I Got a Woman (on 1954-11-18)
writer:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) and Renald Richard
publisher:
Campbell Connelly & Co. Ltd., Mijac Music, Progressive Music Pub. Co., Unichappell Music, Unichappell Music, Inc., Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996), Warner–Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (Warner–Tamerlane Publishing Corporation, publisher; do NOT use as release label) and Warner/Chappell (Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.)
sub-publisher:
ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング A事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., A Division), ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc., holding company – do not use as release label) and ワーナー・チャペル音楽出版 Synch事業部 (Warner/Chappell Music Japan K.K., Synch Division)
2:51
3Swanee River Rock
cover recording of:
Swanee River Rock
writer:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) and Stephen Foster (composer)
composer:
[unknown] (Special Purpose Artist – Do not add releases here, if possible.)
publisher:
Unichappell Music, Inc.
2:20
4Lonely Avenue
producer:
Ahmet Ertegun (US American Songwriter, producer) and Jerry Wexler
baritone saxophone [baritone sax]:
Emmott Dennis (on 1956-05-16)
bass:
Roosevelt "Whiskey" Sheffield (on 1956-05-16)
drums (drum set):
William Peeples (on 1956-05-16)
piano:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) (on 1956-05-16)
solo tenor saxophone [tenor sax]:
David “Fathead” Newman (American jazz saxophonist) (on 1956-05-16)
trumpet:
Joe Bridgewater (on 1956-05-16) and John Hunt (trumpeter) (on 1956-05-16)
background vocals:
The Cookies (50s girl group) (on 1956-05-16)
vocals:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) (on 1956-05-16)
arranger:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter)
recorded at:
Capitol Studios (Hollywood, CA, founded 1956) in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1956-05-16)
recording of:
Lonely Avenue (on 1956-05-16)
lyricist and composer:
Doc Pomus
publisher:
Carlin Music Corporation, Great Moments in Music LLC, Pomus Songs Inc., Progressive Music (publisher), Spirit One Music, Unichappell Music, Inc., ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc., holding company – do not use as release label) and ワーナー・チャペル音楽出版 Synch事業部 (Warner/Chappell Music Japan K.K., Synch Division)
2:36
5Hallelujah I Love Her So
producer:
Ahmet Ertegun (US American Songwriter, producer) and Jerry Wexler
baritone saxophone [baritone sax]:
Cecil Payne (on 1955-11-30)
double bass [bass]:
Paul West (bass) (on 1955-11-30)
drums (drum set):
David "Panama" Francis (US swing jazz drummer) (on 1955-11-30)
piano:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) (on 1955-11-30)
solo tenor saxophone [tenor sax]:
Donald Wilkerson (US jazz/R&B saxophonist) (on 1955-11-30)
trumpet:
Joe Bridgewater (on 1955-11-30) and Joshua "Jack" Willis (trumpet) (on 1955-11-30)
vocals:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) (on 1955-11-30)
arranger:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter)
recorded at:
Capitol Studios (Hollywood, CA, founded 1956) in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1955-11-30)
recording of:
Hallelujah, I Love Her So (on 1955-11-30)
lyricist and composer:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter)
publisher:
Carlin Music Corporation, Hill and Range Songs, Inc. (publisher), Progressive Music (publisher), Unichappell Music and Unichappell Music, Inc.
32:36
6Shake a Tailfeather
bass guitar:
Donald “Duck” Dunn (US bass guitarist, session musician, record producer & songwriter)
drums (drum set):
Willie "Too Big" Hall
guitar:
Steve Cropper and Matt Murphy (US blues guitarist)
keyboard:
Murphy Dunne
saxophone:
Tom “Bones” Malone (US trombonist) and Lou Marini
trumpet:
Al Rubin
background vocals:
Elwood J. Blues (Saturday Night Live character portrayed by Dan Aykroyd) and Jake E. “Joliet” Blues (Saturday Night Live character portrayed by John Belushi)
lead vocals:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter)
performer:
Blues Brothers (blues/soul revivalist band)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Atlantic Recording Corporation (not for release label use! copyrights holder, distributor within the US) (in 1992) and WEA International Inc. (not for release label use! copyrights holder, distributor for the world outside of the US) (in 1992)
cover recording of:
Shake a Tail Feather
writer:
Andre Williams (US RnB vocalist/musician/producer/songwriter), Otha Hayes and Verlie Rice
publisher:
Spirit One Music and Vapac Music Publishing Inc.
3.952:48
7Mess Around
producer:
Herb Abramson and Ahmet Ertegun (US American Songwriter, producer)
baritone saxophone [baritone sax]:
Dave McRae (US clarinetist & saxophonist) (on 1953-05-17)
double bass [bass]:
Lloyd Trotman (US jazz bassist) (on 1953-05-17)
drums (drum set):
Connie Kay (on 1953-05-17)
guitar:
MacHouston "Mickey" Baker (on 1953-05-17)
piano:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) (on 1953-05-17)
tenor saxophone [tenor sax]:
Sam "The Man" Taylor (US jazz/blues saxophonist 1916-1990) (on 1953-05-17)
trumpet:
Jesse Drakes (on 1953-05-17)
vocals:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) (on 1953-05-17) and Renald Richard (on 1953-05-17)
arranger:
Jesse Stone
recorded at:
Atlantic Studios (1841 Broadway, New York, 1957–1991) in Midtown Manhattan, New York, New York, United States (on 1953-05-17)
recording of:
Mess Around (on 1953-05-17)
writer:
Ahmet Ertegun (US American Songwriter, producer)
publisher:
Progressive Music (publisher), ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc., holding company – do not use as release label) and ワーナー・チャペル音楽出版 Synch事業部 (Warner/Chappell Music Japan K.K., Synch Division)
32:41
8Drown in My Own Tears
producer:
Ahmet Ertegun (US American Songwriter, producer) and Jerry Wexler
baritone saxophone [baritone sax]:
Cecil Payne (on 1955-11-30)
double bass [bass]:
Paul West (bass) (on 1955-11-30)
drums (drum set):
David "Panama" Francis (US swing jazz drummer) (on 1955-11-30)
piano:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) (on 1955-11-30)
tenor saxophone [tenor sax]:
Donald Wilkerson (US jazz/R&B saxophonist) (on 1955-11-30)
trumpet:
Joe Bridgewater (on 1955-11-30) and Joshua "Jack" Willis (trumpet) (on 1955-11-30)
vocals:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) (on 1955-11-30)
arranger:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter)
recorded at:
Capitol Studios (Hollywood, CA, founded 1956) in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1955-11-30)
cover recording of:
Drown in My Own Tears (on 1955-11-30)
lyricist and composer:
Henry Glover
publisher:
Fort Knox Music Inc., Jay & Cee, Jay and Cee Music Corp., Jaycee Music and Trio Music Co., Inc.
43:21
9This Little Girl of Mine
recorded in:
Miami, Florida, United States (on 1955-04-23)
producer:
Ahmet Ertegun (US American Songwriter, producer) and Jerry Wexler
alto saxophone and baritone saxophone:
David Newman (American jazz saxophonist) (on 1955-04-23)
double bass [bass]:
Roosevelt Sheffield (on 1955-04-23)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
William Peeples (on 1955-04-23)
piano:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) (on 1955-04-23)
tenor saxophone:
Don Wilkerson (US jazz/R&B saxophonist) (on 1955-04-23)
trumpet:
Joe Bridgewater (on 1955-04-23) and Riley Webb (on 1955-04-23)
vocals:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) (on 1955-04-23)
recording of:
This Little Girl of Mine (on 1955-04-23)
lyricist and composer:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter)
42:32
10Yes Indeed
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1958-02-20)
baritone saxophone:
Emmett Dennis (on 1958-02-20)
bass:
Edgar Willis (bass) (on 1958-02-20)
drums (drum set):
Richie Goldberg (on 1958-02-20)
piano:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) (on 1958-02-20)
saxophone:
David Newman (American jazz saxophonist) (on 1958-02-20)
trumpet:
Marcus Belgrave (on 1958-02-20) and Lee Harper (trumpet player (Ray Charles)) (on 1958-02-20)
vocals:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) (on 1958-02-20) and The Raelettes (on 1958-02-20)
cover recording of:
Yes Indeed (on 1958-02-20)
lyricist and composer:
Sy Oliver
cover recording of:
Yes Indeed
composer:
Sy Oliver
2:16
11What'd I Say
producer:
Ahmet Ertegun (US American Songwriter, producer) and Jerry Wexler
baritone saxophone [baritone sax]:
Bennie "Hank" Crawford (on 1959-02-18)
bass:
Edgar Willis (bass) (on 1959-02-18)
drums (drum set):
Milt Turner (on 1959-02-18)
electric piano:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) (on 1959-02-18)
tenor saxophone [tenor sax]:
David “Fathead” Newman (American jazz saxophonist) (on 1959-02-18)
trumpet:
Marcus Belgrave (on 1959-02-18)
background vocals:
The Raelettes (on 1959-02-18)
vocals:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) (on 1959-02-18)
arranger:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter)
part of:
Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 10) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 80)
recording of:
What’d I Say (on 1959-02-18)
lyricist and composer:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter)
publisher:
Carlin Music Corporation, Mijac Music, MUAC Music, Progressive Music (publisher), Unichappell Music, Inc. and Warner–Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (Warner–Tamerlane Publishing Corporation, publisher; do NOT use as release label)
3.56:30
12Early in the Morning
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1958-10-28)
producer:
Ahmet Ertegun (US American Songwriter, producer) and Jerry Wexler
baritone saxophone:
Bennie Crawford (on 1958-10-28)
bass:
Edgar Willis (bass) (on 1958-10-28)
drums (drum set):
Teagle Fleming (on 1958-10-28)
organ and piano:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) (on 1958-10-28)
tenor saxophone:
David Newman (American jazz saxophonist) (on 1958-10-28)
trumpet:
Marcus Belgrave (on 1958-10-28) and John Hunt (trumpeter) (on 1958-10-28)
vocals:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) (on 1958-10-28)
cover recording of:
Early in the Morning (on 1958-10-28)
writer:
Dallas Bartley, Leo Hickman and Louis Jordan (US jazz, blues and r&b musician and songwriter)
publisher:
Cherio Corp.
2:47
13Leave My Woman Alone
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1956-05-16)
baritone saxophone:
Emmett Dennis (on 1956-05-16)
bass:
Roosevelt Sheffield (on 1956-05-16)
drums (drum set):
William Peeples (on 1956-05-16)
piano:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) (on 1956-05-16)
saxophone:
David Newman (American jazz saxophonist) (on 1956-05-16)
trumpet:
Joe Bridgewater (on 1956-05-16) and John Hunt (trumpeter) (on 1956-05-16)
vocals:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) (on 1956-05-16)
performer:
The Cookies (50s girl group) (on 1956-05-16)
recording of:
Leave My Woman Alone (on 1956-05-16)
lyricist and composer:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter)
2:40
14The Right Time
producer:
Ahmet Ertegun (US American Songwriter, producer), Leiber and Stoller (songwriting team) and Jerry Wexler
baritone saxophone [baritone sax]:
Bennie "Hank" Crawford (on 1958-10-28)
bass:
Edgar Willis (bass) (on 1958-10-28)
drums (drum set):
Milt Turner (on 1958-10-28)
electric piano:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) (on 1958-10-28)
solo alto saxophone [alto sax]:
David “Fathead” Newman (American jazz saxophonist) (on 1958-10-28)
trumpet:
Marcus Belgrave (on 1958-10-28) and Lee "Ricky" Harper" (Lee Harper, trumpet player (Ray Charles)) (on 1958-10-28)
background vocals:
The Raelettes (on 1958-10-28)
vocals:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) (on 1958-10-28) and Margie Hendrix (on 1958-10-28)
arranger:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter)
recorded at:
Atlantic Studios (1841 Broadway, New York, 1957–1991) in Midtown Manhattan, New York, New York, United States (on 1958-10-28)
cover recording of:
Night Time Is the Right Time (on 1958-10-28)
composer:
Lew Herman
publisher:
EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated), Planemar Music, Screen Gems–EMI Music Ltd. and Tro-Essex Music
53:29
15I Believe to My Soul
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1959-06-26)
producer:
Ahmet Ertegun (US American Songwriter, producer) and Jerry Wexler
bass:
Edgar Willis (bass) (on 1959-06-26)
drums (drum set):
Teagle Fleming (on 1959-06-26)
piano:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) (on 1959-06-26)
saxophone [alto, baritone sax]:
Bennie Crawford (on 1959-06-26)
tenor saxophone:
David Newman (American jazz saxophonist) (on 1959-06-26)
trumpet:
Marcus Belgrave (on 1959-06-26) and John Hunt (trumpeter) (on 1959-06-26)
vocals:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) (on 1959-06-26)
recording of:
I Believe to My Soul (on 1959-06-26)
lyricist and composer:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter)
publisher:
Carlin Music Corporation, Hill and Range Songs, Inc. (publisher) and Unichappell Music, Inc.
3:02
16I'm Moving On
cover recording of:
I’m Moving On
lyricist and composer:
Hank Snow
publisher:
Hill and Range Songs, Inc. (publisher) and Unichappell Music, Inc.
2:22
17Unchain My Heart
producer:
Sid Feller
alto saxophone [alto sax]:
Bennie "Hank" Crawford (on 1961-07-05)
baritone saxophone [baritone sax]:
Leroy "Hog" Cooper (saxophonist) (on 1961-07-05)
bass:
Edgar Willis (bass) (on 1961-07-05)
drums (drum set):
Edward "Bruno" Carr (on 1961-07-05)
piano:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) (on 1961-07-05)
solo tenor saxophone [tenor sax]:
David “Fathead” Newman (American jazz saxophonist) (on 1961-07-05)
trumpet:
Phillip Guilbeau (on 1961-07-05) and John Hunt (trumpeter) (on 1961-07-05)
background vocals:
The Raelettes (on 1961-07-05)
vocals:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) (on 1961-07-05)
arranger:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter)
recorded at:
Bell Sound Studios in New York, New York, United States (on 1961-07-05)
cover recording of:
Unchain My Heart (on 1961-07-05)
lyricist and composer:
Bobby Sharp
writer:
Teddy Powell
publisher:
B Sharp Music (owned by Bobby Sharp, for publisher and copyrights use) (in 1987)
part of:
The Real Book (compilation of jazz standards, Volume I)
42:50
18Let the Good Times Roll
producer:
Ahmet Ertegun (US American Songwriter, producer), Nesuhi Ertegun and Jerry Wexler
alto saxophone:
Marshall Royal (from 1959-05-06 until 1959-06-23)
flute and saxophone:
Frank Wess (from 1959-05-06 until 1959-06-23)
piano:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) (from 1959-05-06 until 1959-06-23)
tenor saxophone:
Paul Gonsalves (from 1959-05-06 until 1959-06-23), David “Fathead” Newman (American jazz saxophonist) (from 1959-05-06 until 1959-06-23) and Zoot Sims (US jazz saxophonist) (from 1959-05-06 until 1959-06-23)
trombone:
Quentin Jackson (from 1959-05-06 until 1959-06-23) and Melba Liston (US jazz trombonist) (from 1959-05-06 until 1959-06-23)
trumpet:
Marcus Belgrave (from 1959-05-06 until 1959-06-23), Joe Newman (US jazz trumpeter) (from 1959-05-06 until 1959-06-23), Ernie Royal (from 1959-05-06 until 1959-06-23), Clark Terry (American swing trumpeter) (from 1959-05-06 until 1959-06-23) and Snookie Young (from 1959-05-06 until 1959-06-23)
vocals:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) (from 1959-05-06 until 1959-06-23)
arranger:
Quincy Jones
recorded at:
6 West Recording in New York, New York, United States (from 1959-05-06 until 1959-06-23)
cover recording of:
Let the Good Times Roll (from 1959-05-06 until 1959-06-23)
writer:
Fleecie Moore (in 1946) and Sam Theard (in 1946)
publisher:
Rytvoc, Inc. (ASCAP), Theard Swanson Publishing and Warock Corp.
sub-publisher:
Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc. (song publisher, never a release label) and ヤマハミュージックEH(CM) (Yamaha Music EH(CM))
2:52
19Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin'
producer:
Nesuhi Ertegun and Jerry Wexler
bass:
Wendell Marshall (on 1959-05-06)
drums (drum set):
Ted Sommers (on 1959-05-06)
guitar:
Allen Hanlon (jazz guitarist) (on 1959-05-06)
piano:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) (on 1959-05-06)
valve trombone:
Bob Brookmeyer (on 1959-05-06)
background vocals:
[unknown] (Special Purpose Artist – Do not add releases here, if possible.) (on 1959-05-06)
vocals:
Ray Charles (soul musician, singer and songwriter) (on 1959-05-06)
arranger:
Ralph Burns
recorded at:
6 West Recording in New York, New York, United States (on 1959-05-06) and Atlantic Studios (1841 Broadway, New York, 1957–1991) in Midtown Manhattan, New York, New York, United States (on 1959-05-06)
cover recording of:
Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Cryin’ (on 1959-05-06)
lyricist and composer:
Joe Greene (US songwriter Joseph Perkins Greene, 1915-1986)
publisher:
Northern Music (song publisher) and Universal Music Corp. (USA, affiliated with ASCAP)
43:46