The Best Of Ray Charles

Description

Born Ray Charles Robinson in Albany, Georgia, on September 23, 1930 (died June 10, 2004, in Beverly Hills, California), Ray Charles has always been an iconic figure in American culture and described as the "father of soul music."
His early years were marked by tragedies. Born into extreme poverty, he completely lost his sight at the age of six. Before becoming blind, he had to face the death of his brother, whom he saw drown before his eyes. Ray studied music and learned several instruments at the St. Augustine School for the Deaf and Blind. His mother Aretha passed away when Ray was 15, and it was Mary Jane (his father's first wife, who was absent) who raised him. Ray then worked as a musician in Florida before using his savings to move to Seattle in 1947. There, he continued his career, playing piano in nightclubs. Ray made his first recordings in 1947 and, over the following years, his career was constantly evolving.
A unique personal style based on the intersections of blues, jazz, gospel, and soul, Charles possessed one of the most recognizable voices in American music. This album contains some of the greatest hits, including timeless classics like "Georgia on My Mind," "Hit the Road, Jack," and "Drown in My Own Tears."