Search - Ray Charles - O Genio - Live in Brazil 1963 on DVD

Vintage Ray: The Real Thing

The Rocketman | Los Angeles, CA | 11/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you liked Jamie Foxx's performance in RAY, you will love this DVD. It's from 1963, the same timeframe as the movie, with the actual people you see featured in the movie including David "Fathead" Newman and Margie Hendrix.

The first "show" is actually a rehearsal (probably both for the band and the camera operators) and is of stellar quality considering it's 40 year old video. The actual show (the second "set") has some annoying video quality and sound buzz, but who really cares? The DVD is very watchable, especially considering most of the songs in the actual show were also captured in high quality during the rehearsal.

While later Ray concert DVDs are of perhaps better video quality (e.g. color), they miss the magic of Ray performing at the very peak of his career (he had already released "Modern Sounds" by the time of this performance).

If you are a Ray Charles fan, just buy this. You won't be disappointed."

The Greatest

Ned Story | Winnipeg , Canada | 12/08/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have been a music lover now for over 40 years, and I fully acknowledge the "greats" who shaped the music we listen to in
our time...James,Aretha,Duke,Elvis,Louis,Miles,Buddy and Ray come to mind......but not until seeing this DVD did I come to the full realization that Ray Charles is indeed the greatest and most important musician/performer of this century.
This dvd is captivating....I have over 50 music dvd's in my collection and this one is...well...Ray simply blows the socks off of anything you have seen.....you watch it and if you can't hear andd see what is going on and what is being created by this man.....you are the blind one...
My thanks to the people who unearthed this gem...
"

A rare gem you should add to your DVD collection!

Case Waddell | Atlanta, GA | 11/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Being a lifelong Ray Charles' fan and having the pleasure of seeing him in concert back in the mid-80s, his talent and passion for his music has never diminished. Over the course of the years, footage of his earlier concerts and performances were sparse and rare, however, when I discovered this DVD and that Margie Hendrix & The Raelettes were on this, I immediately purchased it. Thanks again to the great folks at Rhino for again putting a product out to the public that is unique and caters to us hardcore music lovers!

The first concert which is a rehearsal is far better than the second with its sound & picture quality. You know that you're not going to be disappointed when Ray starts out with "What I'd Say" and seeing his Raelettes getting ready to strut their stuff. Margie's powerhouse voice and the Raelettes synchronized moves while singing to a single microphone is visually mesmerizing! You don't see this type of class act anymore in this day and age.

I would say my favorite song was "You Are My Sunshine" with Margie singing a little solo. If you hear close, you can hear O-Genio say in the background "Yeah Margie!" while she squalls. I was blown away!!

A must have for all Ray Charles fans!




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Great way to time-travel and see the young Ray Charles

C. Lane | 12/27/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The other reviews provide ample warnings about the degraded video and audio quality in the second set of this performance. However, this title is worth buying just to get a look at Ray smoking through the first dozen numbers. It is a much more intense performance than the 1981 Edmonton Symphony recording - and the b&w imagery actually enhances this."