The Complete Swing Time & Down Beat Recordings 1949-1952 (1997)

About this title: The light blues and jazz of Ray Charles' early recordings were heavily influenced by Nat King Cole, and Charles frequently recorded in a similar trio format. His sound changed dramatically soon after he signed to Atlantic in 1952: His singing became more forceful and confident, and his rock 'n' soul performances were unlike anything he had done earlier for the Swing Time or Down Beat labels. Night Train's two-disc set collects 45 of Charles' rare recordings for the aforementioned independent labels, including several alternate takes, all of which find him in an imitative mode that pales ... read more

Tracks:

1. I Love You I Love You
2. Confession Blues [Charles]
3. Alone in the City [Charles]
4. Can Anyone Ask for More? [Charles]
5. Let's Have a Ball [Charles]
6. Rockin' Chair Blues [Charles]
7. If I Give You My Love [Leventhal]
8. Can't You See Darling? [Charles]
9. This Love of Mine [Sinatra/Sanicola/Pa]
10. How Long Blues [Carr]
11. Blues Before Sunrise [Carr]
12. A Sentimental Blues [York]
13. You'll Never Miss the Water [York]
14. Ain't That Fine [Hall]
15. Don't Put All Your Dreams in One Basket [Morgan]
16. Sitting on Top of the World [Little Walter/Carte]
17. I've Had My Fun [Oden]
18. See See Rider [Rainey]
19. What Have I Done? [Charles]
20. Honey, Honey [Green]
21. She's on the Ball [Charles]
22. The Ego Song [Charles/Glenn]
23. Sweet as Can Be[Alternate Take][Take]
24. Someday [Charles]
25. I'll Do Anything But Work [Jones]
26. I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now? [Adams/Hough/Howard]
27. All to Myself [Charles]
28. Lonely Boy [Henry/Lauderdale]
29. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand [Charles]
30. I'm Glad for Your Sake [Charles/Lawrence/Ti]
31. Baby Won't You Please Come Home [Williams/Warfield]
32. Kissa Me Baby [Charles]
33. Hey Now [Charles]
34. The Snow Is Falling [Charles/Leiber/Stol]
35. Misery in My Heart [Charles]
36. Let Me Hear You Call My Name [Charles]
37. Why Did You Go? [Charles]
38. I'm Wonderin' and Wonderin' [Charles]
39. Walkin' and Talkin' [Charles]
40. Guitar Blues [Instrumental] [Charles]
41. Back Home [Instrumental] [Charles]
42. Sweet as Can Be [Take 2][Alternate Take]
43. I'll Do Anything But Work [Take 2][Alternate Take] [Jones]
44. Someday [Take 2][Alternate Take] [Charles]
45. Late in the Evening Blues [Henry]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.