Visions of Genius: Remembering Ray Charles
Celebrate this 4th of July with a great American hero. Ray Charles’ unique vision blended the best of jazz and R&B, gospel and soul, country and pop into distinctive music that forever changed the American soundscape. This two hour American Routes special includes our exclusive interviews with Ray and those closest to him, tracing the radiant arc of his life and music. Voices include: Atlantic Records producer Jerry Wexler; saxophonist and bandleader, David “Fathead” Newman; singer and Raelette Mable John; Ray’s chauffeur and assistant of more than forty years Vernon Troupe; his ex-wife and confidante Della Bea Robinson; and producer-engineer Terry Howard. Hear Ray’s classics and the stories behind them, as well as his songs by Elvis, Percy Mayfield, Willie Nelson and others.
HOUR ONE
Open Bed: Rockhouse Ray Charles
Genius & Soul, Rhino
Hallelujah I Love Her So Ray Charles
Genius & Soul, Rhino
SEGMENT: Early Experiences
Let the Good Times Roll Ray Charles
Genius & Soul, Rhino
I Got a Woman Elvis Presley
The King of Rock 'N' Roll, RCA
SEGMENT: Gospel
This Little Girl of Mine Ray Charles
Genius & Soul, Rhino
Hit the Road Jack Ray Charles
Genius & Soul, Rhino
Instrumental: Hit the Road Jack David 'Fathead' Newman
I Remember Brother Ray, Highnote
SEGMENT: Raelettes
Swanee River Rock Ray Charles
Genius & Soul, Rhino
SEGMENT: What'd I Say
SEGMENT: Live
I Got A Woman Ray Charles
Live, Atlantic
SEGMENT: The Road/Ray the Man
Instrumental: Hallelujah I Love Her So Ray Charles & Milt Jackson
Soul Meeting, Atlantic Jazz
SEGMENT: Della Bea and Ray
SEGMENT: Blindness
SEGMENT: America The Beautiful
America The Beautiful Ray Charles
Genius & Soul, Rhino
Rockhouse Ray Charles
Genius & Soul, Rhino
HOUR TWO
Open Bed: Blue Genius Ray Charles & Milt Jackson
Soul Brothers/Soul Meeting, Atlantic Jazz
Side By Side Ray Charles & Betty Carter
Dedicated to You, Rhino
Sinner's Prayer Ray Charles & B.B. King
Genius Loves Company, Concord
SEGMENT: Ray in studio w/Blues Lab kids
Busted Johnny Cash
Essential Johnny Cash, Columbia
You Are My Sunshine Ray Charles
Genius & Soul, Rhino
Instrumental: Wagon Wheels Grant Green
Goin' West, Blue Note
SEGMENT: Country
I'm Movin' On Ray Charles
Genius & Soul, Rhino
It Makes No Difference Now Ray Charles
Genius & Soul, Rhino
Georgia on My Mind Willie Nelson
Stardust, Columbia Legacy
SEGMENT: Drugs
SEGMENT: Race
In The Heat of The Night Ray Charles
Genius & Soul, Rhino
Instrumental: Georgia on My Mind Tuts Washington
New Orleans Piano Professor, Rounder
SEGMENT: New Orleans
I Got a Woman Kermit Ruffins & Rebirth Brass Band
Throwback, Basin St.
SEGMENT: Memories
Drown In My Own Tears Ray Charles
Genius & Soul, Rhino
Come Rain or Come Shine Modern Jazz Quartet & Branford Marsalis
A Celebration, Atlantic Jazz