Ray Charles – In Person

Ray Charles In Person captures one of the earliest and rawest live performances of “The Genius.” Recorded on May 28th, 1959 at Herndon Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, this LP places the listener right in the middle of a thunderous outdoor concert where Charles and his band (including David Newman on tenor sax and Marcus Belgrave on trumpet) were already shaping the future of soul. The crowd energy is electric—you can hear the audience react to every note, laugh, clap, and shout back at Ray. Songs like “What’d I Say” and “Tell The Truth” cement Charles’ reputation as a fiery live performer. Unlike the polished studio recordings, this record is drenched in grit and immediacy, giving a sense of his power on stage in front of thousands. Historically, this album is also significant: it came during the peak of Atlantic’s golden years and shows Charles’ mastery in blending gospel fervor with blues, jazz, and raw R&B emotion. A must-have for collectors of early Atlantic pressings, Ray Charles