That Other Ray

I was surprised to discover recently that Ray Charles has passed away this year at the ripe old age of 96.  To be honest, I wasn't aware that he was still alive, but it's my own fault for not checking.  I've been preaching the gospel of the other Ray and his Christmas tunes since 2005, so this year marks 10 years!  Just in case you've somehow missed it for all this time, here's Ray's official Christmas record, The Ray Charles Singers-Here We Come A-Caroling (MGM E3467, Mono, 1956).

1. Here We Come A Caroling
2. Silent Night
3. Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly
4. The First Noel
5. O, Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles)
6. Lullay, Thou Little Tiny Child
7. Angels We Have Heard On High
8. What Child Is This (Greensleeves)
9. I Saw Three Ships
10. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
11. Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabelle
12. Away In A Manger
13. Good King Wenceslas
14. O, Little Town Of Bethlehem
15. Hark The Herald Angels Sing
16. We Three Kings Of Orient Are
17. God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen
18. Rise Up, Shepherd, An' Foller
19. Joy To The World
20. We Wish You A Merry Christmas
21. Here We Come A Caroling

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  And then there's this...I'm still not entirely sure about this one, though I first shared it with you in 2006.  This LP has the same tracklisting as Here We Come A-Caroling, but it's in stereo.  Is it a re-recording?  Is it fake stereo?  Was the original recorded in multi-channel years before that was a common practice, then remixed?  It's going to take some serious sleuthing to figure all that out, and I don't have the drive.  So maybe you can figure it out.  Just leave me a comment with your answer.  Either way, this is The Ray Charles Singers-Christmas At Home (MGM SE-4166, 1963).

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If two albums of (the same?) Christmas music isn't enough for you, here's a seasonally inspired LP from Mr. Charles and his singers.  I think it's every bit as good as the Christmas record, which is doubly impressive since he cranked it out in the same year.  So don't be afraid to download The Ray Charles Singers-Winter Wonderland (MGM E3387, Mono, 1956). This is a 2012 remaster of something I've been sharing since way back in 2005.

1. Winter Wonderland
2. Button Up Your Overcoat
3. June In January
4. When Winter Comes
5. Snowfall
6. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
7. Winter & Theme For Indoor Sports
8. Moonlight In Vermont
9. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
10. When Winter Comes A-Callin'
11. Jingle Bells
12. By The Fireside

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While you're here, you may as well go ahead and download the other three seasons...   Set these aside for now and break them out when seasonally appropriate.  You'll be glad you did.

The Ray Charles Singers-Spring Is Here (MGM E3162, Mono, 1956).

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The Ray Charles Singers-Summertime (MGM E3529, Mono, 1957).

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The Ray Charles Singers-Autumn Nocturne (MGM E3145, Mono, 1954).

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Still not enough?  Find a couple more tracks here and here.