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List Price: $149.98 | | Label: Atlantic / Wea
Salesrank: 77862
Released: September 20, 2005 |
| Our Price: $95.70 |
| Used Price: $67.77 |
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| Media: Audio CD |
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Pure Genius: The Complete Atlantic Recordings (1952-1959) Track Listing:
Disc 1:
1. The Sun’s Gonna Shine Again
2. Roll With My Baby
3. The Midnight Hour
4. Jumpin’ In The Mornin’
5. It Should’ve Been Me
6. Losing Hand
7. Heartbreaker
8. Sinner’s Prayer
9. Mess Around
10. Funny (But I Still Love You)
11. Feelin’ Sad
12. I Wonder Who
13. Don’t You Know
14. Nobody Cares
15. Ray’s Blues
16. I Got A Break Baby
17. Blackjack
18. I’ve Got A Woman
19. Greenbacks
20. Come Back Baby
21. A Fool For You
22. This Little Girl Of Mine
23. Hard Times (No One
24. Knows Better Than I)
25. Blues Hangover
26. Mary Ann
27. Drown In My Own Tears
28. Hallelujah I Love Her So
29. What Would I Do
30. Without You
Disc 2:
1. Dawn Ray
2. The Man I Love
3. Music, Music, Music
4. Black Coffee
5. Lonely Avenue
6. I Want To Know
7. Leave My Woman Alone
8. The Ray
9. I Surrender Dear
10. Hornful Soul
11. Ain’t Misbehavin’
12. Joy Ride
13. Sweet Sixteen Bars
14. Doodlin’
15. There’s No You
16. Undecided
17. My Melancholy Baby
18. It’s All Right
19. Ain’t That Love
Disc 3:
1. Rockhouse Parts 1 & 2
2. Get On The Right Track Baby
3. Swanee River Rock (Talkin’ ’Bout That River)
4. That’s Enough
5. Talkin’ ’Bout You
6. What Kind Of Man Are You
7. I Want A Little Girl
8. How Long Blues - Milt Jackson & Ray Charles
9. Cosmic Ray - Milt Jackson & Ray Charles
10. The Genius After Hours
11. Charlesville
12. Bags Of Blues - Ray Charles & Milt Jackson
13. Deed I Do - Milt Jackson & Ray Charles
14. Blue Funk - Milt Jackson & Ray Charles
15. Soul Brothers - Milt Jackson & Ray Charles
Disc 4:
1. Bag’s Guitar Blues - Milt Jackson & Ray Charles
2. Yes Indeed!
3. I Had A Dream
4. You Be My Baby
5. Tell All The World About You
6. My Bonnie
7. Soul Meeting - Ray Charles & Milt Jackson
8. Hallelujah I Love Her So - Ray Charles & Milt Jackson
9. Blue Genius - Ray Charles & Milt Jackson
10. X-Ray Blues - Ray Charles & Milt Jackson
11. Love On My Mind - Ray Charles & Milt Jackson
12. The Spirit-Feel (Live, 1958)
13. Blues Waltz (Live, 1958)
14. In A Little Spanish Town (Live, 1958)
15. Sherry (Live, 1958)
16. (Night Time Is) The Right Time (Live, 1958)
17. A Fool For You (Live, 1958)
Disc 5:
1. I’ve Got A Woman (Live, 1958)
2. Talkin’ ’bout You (Live, 1958)
3. Swanee River Rock (Talkin’ ’Bout That River)(Live, 1958)
4. Yes Indeed! (Live, 1958)
5. Early In The Mornin’
6. (Night Time Is) The Right Time
7. Carrying That Load (Single Version)
8. Carrying That Load (LP Version)
9. Tell Me How Do You Feel
10. Fathead - David Newman
11. Tin Tin Deo - David Newman
12. Bill For Bennie - David Newman
13. Hard Times - David Newman
14. Mean To Me - David Newman
15. Sweet Eyes - David Newman
16. Weird Beard - David Newman
17. Willow Weep For Me - David Newman
18. Tell The Truth
19. What’d I Say Parts I & II (Mono LP Version)
Disc 6:
1. What’d I Say Parts I & II (Stereo LP Version)
2. Tell Me You’ll Wait For Me
3. Come Rain Or Come Shine
4. Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Cryin’
5. Just For A Thrill
6. You Won’t Let Me Go
7. Am I Blue
8. The Spirit-Feel (Live, 1959)
9. Frenesi (Live, 1959)
10. Tell The Truth (Live, 1959)
11. Drown In My Own Tears (Live, 1959)
12. (Night Time Is) The Right Time (Live, 1959)
13. What’d I Say (Live, 1959)
14. Let The Good Times Roll
15. Alexander’s Ragtime Band
16. Deed I Do
17. When Your Lover Has Gone
18. Two Years Of Torture
19. It Had To Be You
20. I’m Movin’ On
21. I Believe To My Soul
Disc 7:
1. Rehearsal Session With
2. Ahmet Ertegun (1953)
3. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand
4. Unknown Title
5. Piano Improvisation & Dialog #1
6. Losing Hand & Dialog #1
7. Little Rock Getaway & Dialog
8. Kentucky Waltz
9. Heartbreaker (Instrumental Version)
10. Heartbreaker & Dialog
11. Piano Improvisation & Dialog #2
12. Heartbreaker (False Starts 1–2)
13. Losing Hand & Dialog #2
14. Losing Hand & Dialog #3 (W/ Reverb)
15. Losing Hand & Dialog #4 (W/ Reverb)
16. Heartbreaker
17. It Should’ve Been Me & Dialog
18. Nobody Cares
19. Piano Improvisation & Dialog #3
20. Mess Around
21. Funny (But I Still Love You)
22. Sinner’s Prayer
23. Piano Improvisation & Dialog #4
24. Low Society & Dialog #1
25. Boogie Woogie
26. Low Society & Dialog #2
27. Worried Life Blues
28. Come Back Baby (Walter Davis Version)& Dialog
29. Low Society
30. (Night Time Is) The Right Time (Takes 1–7)& Dialog
31. Tell Me How Do You Feel (Take 1)
32. Ray’s Arrangement Suggestions For
33. The Genius Of Ray Charles Album (1959)Dialog
34. It Had To Be You & Dialog
35. My Buddy & Dialog Dialog
36. When Your Lover Has Gone & Dialog
37. I’m Beginning To See The Light.
38. Let The Good Times Roll & Dialog
Editorial Review:
Ray Charles is an American legend beyond compare. A ten-time Grammy-winning superstar who almost single-handedly laid the groundwork for soul music, Charles proved his mastery with countless jazz, country, R&B, and pop masterpieces as well. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame the first year they gave the honors ('86), and his extraordinary career spanned seven decades. His remarkable life was celebrated in the 2004 biopic Ray-featuring Jamie Foxx's Oscar-winning performance as the artist-and now Ray Charles' musical genius is spotlighted in this comprehensive box of his seminal Atlantic Records era, 1952-1959. As preeminent music writer David Ritz notes inside, "These are the historic years of his creative explosion, the time when he reinvented himself as a musical revolutionary. These records will live forever."
Description of Pure Genius: The Complete Atlantic Recordings (1952-1959):
Jamie Foxx's Oscar-winning turn as Ray Charles could only touch on the musical highlights of the American musical legend's career. But for those further intrigued by Charles' savory musical roots, this seven CD/one DVD anthology of Charles' epochal career at Atlantic Records (who purchased the fledgling star's contract from a small L.A. label for $2500) is the ultimate chronicle. While the singer's recorded output for the label was typically shuffled and jumbled across a series of contemporary albums and compilations, this set offers them up chronologically as originally recorded in NYC, New Orleans and elsewhere, a gambit that allows a clearer insight into the musician's artistic growth and burgeoning confidence as a performer in the bargain. Though focused on the `fervent r&b and soul sides he cut before crossing over into country and pop in the ‘60s, Charles' Atlantic tenure also includes insightful excursions into small jazz combo work that further underscored the range of his incomparable gifts.
The final CD in the set is a treasure trove of unreleased (mostly) solo performances that range from a lengthy 1953 rehearsal tape to a handful of hotel room-recorded arrangement demos for his 1959 Genius of Ray Charles collection. The set's DVD is another welcome bonus, containing the legend's complete performance at the 1960 Newport Jazz Festival (though he'd just left Atlantic, his repertoire and band for the show are rooted in the era), capped with the modern reminisces of Atlantic founder Ahmet Ertegun. Lavishly packaged in a box that replicates a ‘50's-era 45-player and featuring a hard-bound liner book that includes reprints of the original albums' liner notes, a comprehensive sessionography and an insightful new essay from noted r&b biographer David Ritz, the collection lives up to its billing at every level: Pure genius, indeed. --Jerry McCulley
Pure Genius: The Complete Atlantic Recordings (1952-1959) Reviews:
Brother Ray for the ages 
2009-07-16 - I bought this box set to celebrate getting my new job. I drove back and forth to work listening to it. Long story short, It's perfect. The remastering sounds like it was done over time. The clarity and detail of the instruments is breathtaking.
I was looking for Brother Ray's Atlantic catalog on individual CDs, and most are not available. This box set catches you right up on his classic years with Atlantic Records.
You may feel that each original album is presented in it's running order, followed by the next release and so on through the set. Actually the set is programed in chronological order, making it very interesting listening. Almost like a glimpse into his mind at work.
It includes a book that presents the original liner notes and art work for each Album. Should you want to hear a particular album in sequence all you need to do is program your CD player according to the text given for that LP.
Disc 7 is packed with demo recordings and interesting studio banter. I found this disc to be worthwhile listening. Coming from me that is no less than earth shaking. I'm not one for demos, I prefer the finished product. I don't return to this disc as often as the others, but I do recommend it for the curious.
Disc 8 is a DVD with an interview with Ahmet Ertegun conducted by Taylor Hackford as well as a 9 song 1960 concert film in B&W. This disc always has me coming back for more.
This is one box set that is really worth the price of admission.
pure genius!
2009-04-18 - I got this set at a discount music store in Sereville, TN for $50! It wasn't even used. Brand new! I would've paid full price for this, but I can't resist the low price. Amazing set!
Don't Mess Around buy now.... 
2009-04-10 - I've been a Ray Charles fan for years so I was excited when this came out, now that the price has dropped some its a must have for moderate fans. Everything is here from Atlantic plus a DVD of Ray performing live at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1960. The 78 page book included is hardcover and discusses his albums for Atlantic with the forward by Ahmet Ertegun, and articles by various people.
The remaster is great, there is a lot of great instrumental numbers in this set that I had never heard prior to buying this set and I was stoked to hear the master going off. You can't help but kick up the heels while listening. I don't think much needs to be said about the nusic, we know Ray is the man.
There are many live numbers, dialog of Ray talkin in studio, and numbers with Milt Jackson. This is the stuff you don't get in normal cd sets so if you are a moderate fan to junky you will enjoy hearing this other stuff its a treat. The case is different, with the inside looking like a phonograph, all these things are over priced but with the cheap used prices its well worth snagging. Don't Mess Around buy now....
A new standard in music box sets
2008-03-20 - Rhino exhausted the Atlantic vaults of its Ray Charles catalogue, added a smart hardcover book, threw in an obscure concert on DVD and packaged everything in a magnificent carry case that resembles a vintage 45-record player. The result is the ultimate tribute to one of the giants of modern music, and raises the bar in box sets.
I don't see how anyone can improve on PURE GENIUS. The 6 CDs (each averaging 78 minutes) of Ray's released music are a sheer pleasure to listen to over and over. Credit Ray but also the sequencing.
Instead of arranging the tracks by album release date (i.e. The Velvet Underground and Cream boxes), Rhino gambles by sequencing according to *recording* date. Remember that until 1967's Sgt. Pepper, pop albums were hodge-podges of songs gathered from various sessions. With Ray's albums, songs spanned entire years. Rhino's approach allows the listener to enjoy each phase of Ray's recording career, from his soul breakthrough on disc one to the big band of disc six.
Another consideration is that Ray recorded in so many genres at once: gospel-tinged soul one week, straight jazz the next and back. Rhino's sequencing highlights Ray's versatility and virtuosity, which you cannot find on any other compilation and certainly not a greatest hits package which compiles only songs. I was expecting soul vocals with the Raelettes, but was blown away by Ray's instrumental jazz, which his big hits have unjustly overshadowed.
Disc seven--of outtakes and sessions (a fire destroyed all other session tapes)--provides a glimpse of an early recording session as well as part of a later one. The disc demonstrates Ray's growing confidence in the studio. However, this disc is for Ray's hardcore fans rather than casual listeners. And for the hardcore, it's a gem.
Another bonus is disc 8: the DVD of Ray's ultra-rare 1960 concert at the Newport Jazz Festival. It's a stationery camera shooting grainy black-and-white footage, but Ray's performance is assured through nine numbers. A 20-minute interview by Taylor Hackford of Ahmet Ertegun (who signed Ray to Atlantic) is another gem.
Liner notes in the hardcover book avoid empty hype and offer insight into Ray's brilliant career at Atlantic (written by biographer David Ritz). A detailed discography is another plus.
Now, what can I say about the packaging? I own several box sets and this one takes the prize for originality. It resembles a 45-turntable. Lift the "turntable" and the book and discs rest beneath. And the handle makes it portable.
A caveat: this box ain't cheap, and it's intended for hardcore Ray fans. More casual admirers should pick up the 3-CD BIRTH OF SOUL or a greatest hits package, but those don't include Ray's magnificent jazz sides.
Obviously, PURE GENIUS was a labour of love by the folks at Rhino. Some box sets are a formulaic mix of greatest hits, a few unreleased tracks, and some live tracks. This goes one further: it places the artist's music in its proper context which makes you appreciate his overall career even more.
If you find this box, get it. I did and it's worth every penny I paid and then some. I love PURE GENIUS.
Brother Ray @ his best!
2007-12-21 - The Atlantic Period was Ray Charles at his best. This is all his recordings in great sound quality. The extra disc reveals Brother Ray's creative process. The DVD shows the reaction by the beatniks to Ray's music at the Newport Jazz Festival. All in all a very worthwhile purchase for all levels of Ray's fans.
