Ray Charles (1930–2004) led one of the most extraordinary lives of any popular musician. In Brother Ray, he reveals his life story unsparingly, from the chronicle of his musical development to his heroin addiction to his tangled romantic life.
Overcoming poverty, blindness, the loss of his parents, and the pervasive racism of the era, Ray Charles was acclaimed worldwide as a genius by the age of thirty-two. By combining the influences of gospel, jazz, blues, and country music, he invented, almost single-handedly, what became known as “soul.” And throughout a career spanning more than a half century, Ray Charles remained in complete control of his life and his music, allowing nobody to tell him what he could or couldn’t do.
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"It was an extremely good book and listening to Ray read was superb. Very interest insite into his struggles along with his obvious success. Just suggest that readers be prepared for his overuse of a particular term referring to his 'likes' because in the final stage it became too much for me." — Mari (4 out of 5 stars)
"It was an extremely good book and listening to Ray read was superb. Very interest insite into his struggles along with his obvious success. Just suggest that readers be prepared for his overuse of a particular term referring to his 'likes' because in the final stage it became too much for me."
“Candid, explicit, sometimes embarrassing, often hilarious, always warm, touching, and deeply human—just like his music.”
“An emotional blast as vivid and real, sweaty and straight-talking as the man himself.”
“Andrew Barnes…doesn’t imitate Charles’ distinctive voice but captures all of its passion and style…The text is entertaining and far more compelling than it would have been in print.”
“In his smooth baritone voice, Barnes successfully captures the mercurial personality of ‘Brother Ray,’ allowing listeners to fully grasp the legendary performer’s bravado, humility, wonder, cynicism, callousness, and tenderness…[An] outstanding audio.”
“Andrew L. Barnes’ rich voice captures a variety of accents perfectly, with excellent timing. A good addition to music, biography, and popular collections.”
" This guy was something else, ya gotta love him! "
" I so totally read this book way before they made the movie. "
" One of my fav singers! Ray is amazing, David Ritz is good in biographies. "
" I learned so much about the triles and tribulations about this book so difficult to understand the way ray charles lived. "
" The man had a pretty fascinating life. Makes for a good/great read. "
" I know Ray better. Down to earth thinking. Real common sense. "
" I laughed, I cried, I fell in love. Worship this book! The movie is one of my favorites as well, but if you like biographies, read this fo sho. "
" Really good read. I appreciate the fact that the Co-Author let Ray speak for himself! Very insightful. "
" I gave it two stars. It's worth reading but it's a typical biography of a famous musician. Worth reading if you're a fan. "
" this as-told-to tome changed my summer of 2007. beautiful, powerful, deceptively stark language that belies a depth i haven't found in many other texts. imagine if The "Alchemist" loved gin, women and generally gettin' freaky.a must-read. "
David Ritz is the author and coauthor of many acclaimed autobiographies of entertainers, including Ray Charles, Etta James, Scott Weiland, Grandmaster Flash, and more. Five of his books have been New York Times bestsellers, and he has won the Gleason Award for Best Music Book of the Year four times.
Andrew L. Barnes graduated from the School for the Creative and Performing Arts in Cincinnati, Ohio. His theater and music experience includes work with the Ensemble Theater Company, the Cincinnati Opera Company, and the Sorg Opera Company.
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