If you don't have this one in your blues collection you're missing out on some fine music. "Blues is my middle name" is a good down to earth example of blues music. It's total running time is only 46'24 and like all good things it seems to end all to quickly.

This is unmistakably the great Ray Charles, and his genius shows through. But these are really old, poor quality recordings, with very muffled and distorted sound. The talent and music are there, but the presentation isn't. And the material jumps all over the place, from syrupy to edgy to occasional rock & roll (like Kiss Me Baby, which cooks.) Maybe I'm not spoiled by more modern recordings. The other six albums and collections I have by Ray sound absolutely clear, bright, tight and consistent. The music on this CD is certainly good, though, and those who just want to hear Ray and don't mind the (very) poor recordings will indeed find the Father of Soul, with his genius on display. That's fine, but I guess I'm more of a listener than a collector, and I find I basically never reach for this CD, since I have many others by Ray that sound so much better.

First of all, I'm a great fan of Ray Charles music. I really really like it a lot. That's why I give him 3 points. Because he is excellent! But the music... These are the beginnings of Ray Charles when he tries to sound like Nat King Cole. His work is fine but I really enjoy much more the sound of the real Ray (himself), or the real Nat (when playing Nat King Cole "music"). The real sound of Ray is amazing. You should buy the Nat King Cole ones if you like this kind of music. Or you should buy the Ray Charles later ones (the 60's are great!).

It is, BAD, BAD (the title), just because of the drums. They are terrible bad! God... just listen to "See See Rider" and listen how the drums slow down because of his terribly bad entering into the song. The drum sounds bad in most of the songs. The band sound too loud and you can't appreciate not the voice, nor the piano. Especially the drums... again. Have luck and enjoy the other ones of Ray's (maybe "Ingredients for a Receipe of Soul", or, if you want a compilation of his best: "Ray Charles - Ultimate Hits Collection")