“It’s about hope of what the American dream can be and he’s also highlighting some of the obstacles to really achieving that dream. What songs does Ronnie Milsap play live Prisoner of the Highway He Got You / Any Day Now I Wouldnt Have Missed It for the World What a Difference Youve. “I think it’s the only record that he ever did where he made the whole record about a statement about the world and what’s going on,” says Burk. This Compilation 2019 Craft Recordings, a division of Concord Music Group, Inc. “A Message From the People” contains "Hey Mister,'' a powerful call to end hunger “Abraham, Martin and John” about three slain icons of social change a cover of John Denver's “Take Me Home, Country Roads ” a version of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and closes with the now-classic “America the Beautiful.” It will be re-mastered and re-released on June 17, capping a big year for Charles, who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame last week. The year 1972 also saw the release of the studio album “A Message From the People,” perhaps Charles’ most socially-conscious record. The re-release is just one Charles album celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. “It also had an incredible energy from the audience.”
“A lot of the live recordings that are in the vaults are not necessarily of very high quality, but this sounded great,” said Burk, a co-founder of Exceleration Music, which is releasing the album via Tangerine Records. Filmography: Ronnie Milsap songs Rollin In My Sweet Babys Arms, Dolly Parton & Friends Slippin and Slidin/Im In Love Again/Johnny B. The recording was discovered while Burk and The Ray Charles Foundation, led by Valerie Ervin, were putting together 2021's “True Genius,” a limited edition box set celebrating what would be his 90th birthday by featuring 90 songs from Charles‘ legendary career.īurk wondered if there might be an exciting live recording in the vault. It was previously released on limited-edition vinyl for Record Store Day in 2021. And it’s so cool that no one’s heard it before,” says Burk.Īn eight-track distillation of that night is making its way to digital platforms on Friday.
“You get a window into the power of this artist at that time when he was relatively young, strong and the top of his game. “Ladies and gentlemen, I want to introduce at this time some femininity - I like it myself,” he says before singing “Games People Play,” giving each of his four-part backing vocalists the Raelettes a chance to shine. “It captured an incredible moment where he was particularly playing and singing well and the band was on, and so they’re just great versions,” says John Burk, who produced Charles' last album, the Grammy-winning “Genius Loves Company.” “He was kind of at the peak of his powers.”Īmid the songs, Charles can be heard interacting with the audience. But there's no denying that it is a remarkable record. Many details of that night are lost, like the exact date, which venue in the city hosted Charles and the identity of the mysterious engineer who nailed his or her job.