Ray Charles Rehearsal, 'They Can't Take That Away From Me', 'Yesterday'

The American singer, pianist, songwriter, composer and producer Ray Charles (1930-2004), to whom Frank Sinatra called 'the only real genius in the business', rehearses in Bourges, France (1987): 'They Can't Take That Away From Me', 'Yesterday'.
11th Printemps de Bourges Festival, April 17 to 26, 1987.
National Orchestra d'Ile de France
Jacques Mercier, conductor
As usual, Ray brought his own rhythm section:
Paul Kreibich, drums
Kenny Carr, guitar
Roger Hines, bass
Check this excellent documentary recorded one year earlier (1986):
• Ray Charles documentar...

[@viasevenvai]

Everyone is looking around and Ray is the only one listening.

[@jackxavier3915]

Best comment ere

[@felixramos3078]

Men, working with Ray Charles, was no walk in the park. The man was a consummated perfectionist, when it came to his music. I would had hated to be the guy incharge of that orchestra. He lost his vision as a child, but gained twice as much hearing. Amazing talent! 👏👏👏

[@scottmckenna9164]

Ray had 14 children. Did anyone inherit his abilities?

[@scottmckenna9164]

Ray had 14 children. Did anyone inherit his abilities?

[@scottmckenna9164]

Ray had 14 children. Did anyone inherit his abilities?

[@renaissanceman165]

Actually, for any orchestra director, it would be such a benchmark honor, and quite an addition to your one's resume. Check it Out! Ciao!!!

[@eddyvideostar]

@@scottmckenna9164: Even a professional underground actor would lack Ray's concupiscent functionality.

[@KyngKy502]

Notice how he got them right tho. They starting following him and it fell together. Says a lot about them as well, good musicians can adjust and learn quickly.

[@zachariah-binyisrayl5570]

He knew EXACTLY what he wanted....he knew EXACTLY how the sound should be....he knew what EVERY instrument should be doing....he knew it ALL !!! I ADORE this brutha. omg

[@cosminfaur7318]

He wasn.t brutha, at all..

[@person3538]

@@cosminfaur7318 how wasn't he

[@ronniemoon57]

How was he not a bruh???

[@Byyallseeya]

Remember not just practice makes perfect but perfect practice makes perfect

[@clove8220]

Exactly👏👏👏

[@ronivory7752]

Tru dat!

[@7777Lace]

EXACTLY, cause you can practice INCORRECTLY

[@raphaelrousso7124]

2:47 how impressive , that violin player shouldn't have forgotten this moment at all , unique in a life ! Ray you're great !!

[@amsedelm]

Ha! That was funny. That violin couldn't keep it in. He was like THIS IS WHAT THE MAN MEANS! lol

[@chuckfrost5624]

Ray Charles and Quincy Jones met when they were teenagers and became life long best friends. Both of them are geniuses.

[@goldenera4ever]

Just an amazing man. Sinatra wasn't the only one who did it his way.

[@catboyzee]

Ray's ear for music is freekn incredible. What handicap? The man was in complete control of his environment...

[@caydenmcconnell6297]

Infidel14?: Period bro

[@zyxmyk]

he had perfect pitch. so did sinatra and bing crosby, stevie wonder and michael jackson.

[@jaywalters5255]

@@zyxmyk Stevie as Ray was; exceptionally talented. These guys wrote, arranged and produced very authentic pieces which changed the course of music etc. Crosby and Sinatra should not be in this discussion. Not here.

[@kbchaffin53]

@@jaywalters5255 I'm merely stating who else was born with perfect pitch which is a genetic gift you either have or you don't like color blindness. It's not a matter of opinion. No one likes ray charles more than me.

[@eugenebell3166]

@@jaywalters5255 you can't write off Sinatra's contributions to music on the basis he didn't write or produce his songs! It's what the singer does with the song that creates the final result. Sinatra certainly cannot be excluded from the list of great singers. When you consider he had a perforated eardrum from birth, he never let that hold him back. That is a hell of a handicap to any singer/ musician, he did alright.

[@dom-o-rue4194]

He wrote the songs ,sung the songs , played the songs , and he helped the director run the orchestra all while being BLIND. He has music in different genres ,i mean the man was a musical genius possibly the GOAT ❤

[@frankmessina6132]

The sound that comes out of Ray's mouth even when he's speaking is pure magic

[@maxperrusquia2119]

It seems to me he could control the environment itself. I saw him in Memphis at an outdoor concert. It was pouring rain, when he started playing... the suddenly stopped!

[@Alrukitaf]

What an absolute legendary voice. A whole lotta soul!

[@lelandroth635]

And still around with 👀now on the other side if u ask Ray to help u remember your dream/obe with him then🎹 Huuuu🎶

[@thecurtishawkinsband4108]

I watch this vid once every week to learn something about life

[@superandy89]

How about last week?

[@gavriil8662]

Still watching every week?

[@chuckg100]

This man's Ears are a national treasure. My God!

[@shotty2164]

Don’t forget his voice!

[@Jourdanemarino]

Okay so hes extremely talented and working very hard. This rehursal is clearly needed, and Ray still says excuse me and please. Lesson learned. If you're a badass you dont have to remind everyone by being a jerk. Be like Ray and keep it together! Solid!!

[@danielm4114]

Lol, Ray would call out his band members publicly during a show for fucking up, where are you getting this nicety? I love the man and his music, but lets not pretend he wasn't hard to work for- though that demand he put on everyone else, he put tenfold on himself.

[@fucu41]

@@danielm4114 yea the camera was on otherwise....🤣

[@impala327]

Calling out the band and still has to adjust his own mic stand.

[@hubbsllc]

@@danielm4114 In Ed McMahon's book, he talks about the time Ray Charles called out NBC Orchestra drummer Ed Shaughnessy - one of the best in the business - in the middle of his number during a TONIGHT SHOW taping. Johnny Carson found Ray after the show and told Ray that Ray would apologize to his drummer and to his band or Ray would never appear on his show again. And Ray did.

[@docsaxman]

Well none of that about Ray being nice to folks was true. But the folks above all clarified the truth. The camera was on. Life before KZbin was so nice!

[@michelleyb.9709]

What an amazing communicator- positive in such a way that even after being corrected the musicians smile and try harder

[@anthonywhite2960]

What a thrill it is to see and hear this Ray Charles rehearsal. Goosebumps

[@kevingriffin9893]

What an amazing ear and feel he has. And he definitely knows what he wants to do :)

[@zyxmyk]

McCartney said Ray's version of Eleanor Rigby was his all-time favorite Beatle cover.

[@jimthompson606]

I have always loved those many lush ballads Ray did with strings, such a Ruby. This shows me what a big hand he had in those arrangements.

[@dondondoodle]

The master being a master of what he knows more about than anyone. No one can do it like Ray Charles could.

[@moe9196]

This is a precious gem peek at a genius Ray Charles rehearsal .

[@SaccoBelmonte]

The level Ray had was just incredible.

[@lorenzobaines6222]

This is what we call genius. It's on full display.

[@marywilson1442]

Man it was so hard to get that gospel, soul, r&b, blues, jazz, big band, country orchestration sound together. But the man knew what he wanted. And he could hear every sound that was missing. Thank you this was a great video. I loved watching the rehearsal👍

[@alsuz]

You're welcome, Mary, God bless you!

[@jeanettesteed3326]

Can’t imagine what that feels like. Can’t see what’s going on but he feels it all. What a guy. So sad he is gone, but at least his voice, piano playing and his spirit lives on.

[@idamelroseshoufler9921]

Perfect pitch, perfect timing, etc makes this amazing musician an awesome icon

[@babinm]

A genius at overcoming adversity.

[@djpanrasdaversiteoldschool8912]

This was like a boat trying to leave the dock in stormy weather to reach the calmer side

[@lancer.greene8170]

When you practice, NO WAY to stay bad, you will only get better. When you are what you do, NO WAY to be similar to others in the same field.

[@andrewcharley1893]

Love your words of inspiration. Will think that when I practice sax today. Stay blessed and stay safe bro🎷🙏🏾

[@connstellationman]

What an incredible musician Ray was! And what a wonderful experience it must be to learn from him in the orchestra!

[@moonrakerelite4412]

That man was running the show!

[@jaysolo9371]

“You don’t need eyes to have a VISION and follow through.”

[@charlesvanderhoog7056]

The real pro knows to get every little detail just right. And he knows every little detail. That's how such people can achieve stellar performances.

[@danmcbmusic]

Ray was being nice here, he was one tough ass if you were in his band. But he was a living, breathing channel of music, rhythm and soul like pretty much nobody else, ever.

[@bkrider19]

Ray was so cool. What a wonderful video. It shows music as a universal language right there in action before the camera.

[@southernboymoneyshipmusicgroup]

Mr. Charles was a Perfectionist. His ear for music was next to none. Very Accurate, every note, perfect timing. Master of Music, Lucifer lost his 👑

[@m.a.g.3920]

Lucifer?🤨

[@stir_stick]

@@m.a.g.3920 before his fall from grace in heaven Lucifer was the conductor of the Lord’s choir.

[@m.a.g.3920]

@@stir_stick I didn't know that but I don't think that means music is demonic in nature..!

[@m.a.g.3920]

@Bruce Wayne nah.. so then Bach is demonic? He said he wrote/played to praise the Lord and the same happent with thousands of musicians.

[@m.a.g.3920]

@Bruce Wayne I think there's music that sounds demonic while some other sounds angelic or neutral, but considering almost every music demonic itself seems weird (to me).

[@bobgrant809]

Great musician and a great friend. Ray was and remains the one and only "HIGH PRIEST" of Soul.

[@tommiesmith3191]

One of a kind. We should all feel damn lucky that we were on this planet the same time as Mr. Charles. He's missed.

[@franpez3117]

There will never be a voice like that.....

[@two9parkave]

This sure provided much insight in the musical talent and creative ability of Ray Charles. Priceless.

[@dandiacal]

He has total mastery of the music especially the changes - knows you have to have that flatted 13th and ninth - and rhythm - and knows about ballad playing, that it has to be slow.

[@rajusondh]

Man sees through sound, he is master of the sound..!!

[@DrBlues76]

I got to see Ray Charles live back in the 90’s. It was an event that left an indelible mark on my soul. An unbelievable talent we will never see the like of again in our lifetimes...

[@britishlad5648]

Perfect Pitch Ray!!!

[@nag-son695]

Even Ray Charles could do what most jazz constellations fails to do nowadays... Make it sound balanced and swingy...

[@rmo52]

Thank goodness for the traveling drummer. He’s conducting the conductor because he knows the charts inside out. I had to do that as a pianist depending on the local conductor. Usually they got the charts in advance; up to them to look ‘em over before the act shows up. And YES Ray!!! Watta genius. Thanks for posting. Cool stuff.

[@alsuz]

You're very welcome, rmo52, take care, God bless you.

[@tomchojnowski9215]

These musicians are top notch and probably can read anything, they just need an idea of how Ray is going to react emotionally during the rubato section at the beginning. Like you said thank god for Rays drummer, he gives the conductor a heads up because he has a general idea how Ray is going to interpret the song.

[@Playthellgb42]

Clearly, like all geniuses Ray hears the complete performance in his head. Great ear and timing, plus intoxicating phrasing and nuance! No words adequate to describe it, at least I cannot find them...and words are my claim to fame!

[@clydebermingham121]

What a Wondrous thing to have a whole entire orchestra to follow You like that 🤗🙏🏽💥🙏🏽

[@clydebermingham121]

We get to see how vital a conductor … It’s like a conductor is like another keyboardist 🎹 playing the whole entire orchestra behind a soloist 🤗🙏🏽💥

[@TonySheppard]

Wow ~ Fascinating. A masterclass in getting other musicians to up their game,. (Thank goodness for the drummer keeping the conductor on track.)

[@reuelray]

A music friend of mine Joe 'funky' Harris of Washington DC an Son of Bill 'guitar' Harris, who was also of the DC Covers, did two stints with Ray on bass. Joe told me one time during a gig, he really got into it and was really feeling those notes out. After the gig Ray's manager walked up to him and said: Ray wants to talk to you. He was thinking he really played well. Ray said: I heard you playing over there. You were playing with a lot of enthusiasm, but playing off script. I got a formula that I have been using a long time and it works. Get back on board and play in the system I have developed. He said it was a hard lesson that he never forgot. James Brown had that type of ear too. He could hear every single note coming from every single musician. James Brown would cuss you out and kick you out of rehearsal.

[@alsuz]

Thank you very much for sharing this amazing piece of your history, Roosevelt. Ray was a genius, and playing with him would certainly be a tremendous experience for any musician. Take care, God bless you.

[@reuelray]

@@alsuz you are very much welcome sir. Joe had many Ray Charles stories he was compiling in a book as well as his other music adventures including stints with Motown. He passed on in DC before he coukd finish the book..

[@thomassawicki2065]

Bill Harris , Guitar Man.

[@jeanettesteed3326]

Also respect to the conductor, the orchestra and the arranger, and of course the greatest of respect to brother Ray

[@willie346]

Amazing how much time he spent just on the preamble, which most people don't pay any attention. Ray wants everything to be perfect. I saw him perform live in the early 80's and he yell at band members who were off the beat, etc. When you're handicapped, people take advantage of you a thousand different ways. Ray does not accept that, just like his momma taught him. No apologies necessary.

[@jcarc5701]

Well as they say, what comes out on stage is directly proportional to the time and effort put in behind the stage.

[@allyoucaneatfishfry]

Ray's Master Class!

[@rasta3himan281]

A Musical Genius

[@bigtopvoice2197]

He was music. “Brother Ray” by David Ritz is utterly brilliant and inspirational. There are no excuses. God has made miracles of us all.

[@m.patsyfauntleroy9645]

CREATION MADE MIRACLES OF US ALL DECLARED D.O.B WINNER EMERGED JOB ORDER IN KNOWING SELF " . . . AND TO OWN SELF BE TRUE " AWESOME AWE - SO . ME ALL NO EXCEPTIONS INN CREATION !

[@buddysteve5543]

We need all very talented popular musicians to teach how to play music the right way!! We got way too much trash music today it's pathetic!!! RIP Ray Charles! We miss you!!

[@catherinemagee5327]

He's incredible! Saw him in concert in the 1960's. Perfect!

[@tomcooley3778]

Me too.

[@mattyj5039]

That was my favorite era of him. I wish I was living back then, just for that. I have the dvd of his concert in Brazil, I think? Man it was so good. O Genio or something like that.

[@markbra]

They can`t take that away from Ray, he was a consummate musicians musician !

[@Babyjohn8170]

Thank u for sharing this vid. He was a musical genius just incredible. He stay relevant his whole life time just remarkable.

[@felixgoodley6782]

I just love his music every since I was 4 or 5 years old and now I am 62 years old and love it more now I understand more appreciate it more

[@mauricemoore2333]

Simply Amazing! Brilliant!!

[@stuartperry1047]

One of America's greatest treasures. Ray was noted for being a hard task master- especially with his members of his own band. I love how the piece finally comes together- and it is exquisite! My goodness- this is lovely.

[@igliadami4404]

Amazing man, In the history of music.

[@jefflee674]

Thank you Mr. Ray Charles for sharing your great musicianship and artistry

[@user-se7wf9dv6r]

I don't even know what to say...Ray's version of Yesterday in the '60's made me realize the piano was the way to go. I never hear this version or of it but he just nailed it. And one more esoteric point...the camera points to the innards of the piano and you can see the hammers and escapements and everything, which just make this video about sound and the sound that Ray Charles made.

[@geraldwheeler9661]

Once in a lifetime blessing to the music community!

[@christopherhan3347]

Thank you for posting this. People tend to forget how brilliant Ray Charles was.

[@alsuz]

You're welcome, Christopher, take care, God bless you.

[@zachariah-binyisrayl5570]

The way Ray heard his music in his head it was PERFECT. So....to perform it LIVE for an audience...he wants it EXACTLY the way he hears it in his head : PERFECT...and he's not gonna settle for anything less. So, if he's hard on the band, it's only because he wants to give the audience a DIAMOND. PRINCE was exactly the same way as a musician and a band leader. His rehearsals and sound checks were MONSTER.

[@wildeontawalker8561]

That's the key

[@TimothyJonSarris]

Awesome!

[@delfingarcia8590]

Oozing with talent!

[@hudson24dc]

The Soul Genius Dr. Ray Charles.

[@davidhott6395]

Would had loved for him and Prince to work together. They both had the ear for the notes. That perfect pitch. Not all of us can hear that the way they did.

[@mattyj5039]

My mom and a few of my uncles have perfect pitch. I envy them so much lol

[@davidhott6395]

@@mattyj5039 my niece has the ear for it. She plays 7 instruments. It's amazing !

[@judybingham1983]

Play Brother Ray, Play and sing to us . . . .

[@randygeyer7673]

Magic. They keep trying to change it but that won’t happen.

[@lawrencerussell4012]

My guitar teacher & mentor recorded with Ray when he was a member of Atlantic Records House Band.

[@timallen6025]

Kinda masterclass gently upping everyone’s game and effort they put in to where he wants em . Indefatigable Ray, yay 👍👍

[@RalphSutton]

Oh god... what would I give to have had played there...

[@solecaring1230]

Why your "god" has a small letter g?

[@SongMakerNYC]

love and respect....true cat, and the fact that he produced Jimmy Scott's album, which i deeply love, doubles my respect for Ray...big heart...amazing musician and singer...etc

[@WickBeavers]

Fabulous! Really cool to see and hear!

[@Realigndadjmusic]

Thanks for this upload

[@patrickhurley7029]

YES, man is an absolute genius and didn't lose a touch of talent his whole damn life

[@Argotero]

This is a real Genius at work !!!!

[@richardcondon3797]

He wants to arrange a tune that will have the right take off. A genius.

[@iohannesnicolaus4477]

Very passionate, Ray Charles 💙👊

[@JLitodiaz]

Musical Genius.

[@manuelgomez2884]

Fenomenal...

[@lindalyte7307]

A Musical Genuis....at work!! The phenomenal,....Brotha Ray Charles.... Vocals/ Music....Wow!!!!! It all came together, As the saying goes: "Gone but not/ never forgotten".... Rest in Glory....Ray😔🍂

[@raphaelrousso7124]

this is so formidable !!!

[@delfingarcia8590]

The Legend!!!!

[@ciceroaraujo2552]

This is majestic

[@TheRobertEllismusic]

Ray Charles...a Pure "Ray" of goodness, light and impeccable musical sensitivity......wow.....the Christ impulse arrives to Earth... in many shapes and sizes in the human mind....and the human race...a race of many hues and many views all working together....good job everyone

[@michaeltekulsky5665]

I only heard him live once at SF's Masonic auditorium and yes this tune was a highlight.

[@mikebryant4146]

Wonderful! Thanks for posting this fascinating genius at work video!

[@alsuz]

You're very welcome, Mike, God bless you.

[@mikescarlett4704]

Thank you for Sharing 💫🎶😊 🎶♾️🌎☮️🕊️🎶

[@fucu41]

When u wanna kill everyone stage and the soundcrew but u remember the camera is rolling. Ray was notorious for being a savage when it came to musicianship

[@doctorlawrencescoggings9883]

Wow that's awesome how he listens and hears the how note is played that's awesome god bless him

[@AzlanValentine]

what a legend