A historic Ray Charles concert has now reached digital platforms

One night in Stockholm, half a century ago, Ray Charles performed a heart -fattening, heart -fattening concert lost in history.

The gala begins with a moving version of the song that Charles used at the opening of his concerts, Alexander’s Ragtime Bandfollowed by an invigorating version of what I said.

Charles then introduced two freaks, a cozy bluesy version of I was having funfollowed by Games Played by People. It ends in a rage Marie followed by an eight minute extended version of I have a woman. The public is going crazy.

“He’s got an incredible moment where he plays and sings really well and the band is there, so they’re great covers,” said John Burk, who produced Charles ’last album, Genius Loves Company, awarded a Grammy. “He’s at the peak of his power.”

Between songs, Charles can be heard interacting with the audience. “Ladies and gentlemen, I want to present you with some femininity this time, I like it,” she said before interpreting. Games Played by Peoplegiving each of its four vocalists, known as The Raelettes, a chance to shine.

“It was a window into the power of this artist when he was quite young, strong and in the prime of his career. And it’s incredible that no one has heard of it before,” Burk said.

It’s coming to platforms

An eight -song distillate from that night will hit digital platforms on Friday. It was previously released as a limited edition vinyl at the record stores ’annual celebration, known as Record Store Day, in 2021.

The recording was discovered while Burk and The Ray Charles Foundation, led by Valerie Ervin, were preparing True Genius 2021, a limited edition box set released to celebrate Charles ’upcoming 90th birthday featuring 90 songs from his legendary career. Stockholm parts were added to the box set.

More special editions

The re-release is just one of Charles ’albums celebrating his 50th anniversary. In 1972 he also released his studio album A Message From The Peoplethat perhaps the album with the biggest message in society to Charles.

The record will be remastered and re-released on June 17, adding to the festivities in a great year for Charles, who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame last week.

A Message From The People contains Hoy sir a loud call to end hunger, Abraham, Martin and John about three murdered activists, a version of Take Me Home, Country Paths by John Denver, a version of Raise Each Voice and Sing and the classic America the Beautiful to finish.

“I think it’s just the record he made that was completely dedicated to making a statement about the world and what’s going on,” Burk said. “It’s about hoping for what Americans can dream of and he also emphasizes some of the barriers that prevent us. From actually achieving that dream ”.

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