Although the exact recording dates are not given, this reissue CD from the budget Drive Archive label is quite historical. The 14 selections are taken from
Ray Charles's first sessions and they generally feature the pianist/vocalist in a trio with guitar and bass. Heavily influenced at the time by both
Charles Brown and
Nat King Cole,
Charles is almost unrecognizable on these jazz-oriented pre-Atlantic rarities; two of the songs feature him with a larger group. Highlights include "Ain't That Fine," "You Always Miss the Water When the Well Runs Dry," "Don't Put All Your Dreams in One Basket" and "Baby Won't You Please Come Home."