Ray Charles Plays the Slow Blues in Madrid

Ray Charles shows how to play slow tempos. Ernie Vantrease,piano and John Bryant, drums.

[@Buttsac]

takes a blind man to make us all see something so beautiful

[@richardcondon3797]

Sightless are just the eyes. We have so many other things to see with.

[@happykid7339]

I subscribe to you

[@SuperScareface007]

You said it right there man! You can chew his music

[@andrewcharley1893]

Hey W J!!!!!!! I’m With you right there👍🏾👍🏾

[@gavinsomerville7690]

damn that’s deep😂

[@ghairraigh]

Ray Charles was a master of slow tempos. Dizzy Gillespie tells a story (which I am paraphrasing): "I was at a Ray Charles recording session at Columbia Studios in New York. Now, that studio is a very large room. Ray began counting off a rehearsal of a tune and said 'One'. I noticed a friend of mine had just come in, and walked the entire length of the room to go say hello. When I got way over there, Ray said 'Two'! " 🌑 This is the Stormiest, and the SLOOOOOW-est, "Stormy Monday" you're ever going to hear. He takes 2 minutes to play the first chorus IN TEMPO, and it's damn near 5 before the Raelettes sing one word. Ray would advise his drummer to "...just watch my feet, man."

[@johntechwriter]

ghairraigh Excellent observation. Here on KZbin, Brother Ray accompanies Joe Cocker in the latter's signature song “You Are So Beautiful.” As Ray plays the lead-in, Joe is obviously shocked by the slow tempo Ray has set, noticeably slower that Joe's standard rendering of the song. But it works!

[@richardcondon3797]

Sarah did it too. When its good stretch it out.

[@julietdrinkard3640]

Ni

[@rickjay2011]

Yeah I know a lot of his band members would be angry with him about that. they complained that he played too slow. lol.

[@danielm4114]

@@johntechwriter That signature song was written by Billy Preston, a legend in his own right, incredible musician, and one of Ray's hippest sidemen.

[@UkuleleAversion]

EDIT: 5 years after I made this comment, I still come back to the one and only Ray. Nobody else has ever played the blues as good as him and nobody ever will. "Wait a minute now!"- Ray Charles, 1930-2004

[@lepredator189]

That guitarist made him say that a lot.

[@godisgreat10000]

lmao, he be moving like a muppet always

[@christophermoorman8995]

​@@godisgreat10000 put some respect on brother rays name!!!

[@elijahwhite366]

The little voices of Ray’s band are what make the song so special. The way they react to his sudden bursts of the keyboard. It’s just phenomenally human. 🙏

[@charlesstrouss]

Let's not read too much genius into this. The man was totally fucked up. God love him, he was insanely fucked up.

[@shotty2164]

@@charlesstroussfucked up how? He was long sober from drugs by this point. The most he did was drink gin and smoke.

[@ollewiberg6093]

@@charlesstroussWhat a stupid and misinformed comment!

[@jamiew5039]

Oh No.... He is not even just playing music. He is playing the silence, and letting certain sounds come out in between. Thank you to whoever invented the piano so we would get to hear some of the beautiful sounds inside this guy's soul.

[@charlesstrouss]

Fuck. He's playing the Heroin.

[@marvinmosley238]

I am TRIED of losing love, that's Mr Charles, BEAUTIFUL AND BEAUTIFUL AGAIN!!!?

[@rosc09]

Harold Rhodes

[@carlosrodriguezgarcia8103]

This phenomena should have its own name, ive Heard the same thing on concert versions off red House, by Jimi Hendrix

[@georgewilliams3346]

…the electric piano.

[@850des4]

The people in the back add so much flavor to it! "Yeah" "come on now" "well" 😂😂😂

[@TheRealSuperwiesel]

Yeah man.....mmmmmmmm

[@joselasaro6817]

Lakaksjkakaksjaka

[@rashadharris4700]

@1:26 "right about it"

[@stk1975]

i listen to all kind of music but the blues makes me feel sad and happy at the same time. Nothing like the Blues.

[@rickjay2011]

Totally agree

[@creativeartsmediallc]

Ray Charles was truly a "soulful cat" who wasn't afraid to let it all hang out, so to speak, and his sense of timing was impeccable, too.

[@allenaddington8213]

I saw Mr Charles live probably 20 times from 1963 to 2001. What a stupendous talent and what a loss. Listen to the captivating, invigorating, scintillating sounds of the genius...the genius of Ray Charles. Miss him.

[@charlesstrouss]

Yes, I've seen him several times before, and he was quite good, but he was never as totally fucked up as this show. You know he had a taste for heroin right?

[@ollewiberg6093]

@@charlesstroussYou seem to comment on things happening until 1965. But the Word fucked up must be about yourself, not Ray Charles!

[@MrZikList]

''Touch is the greatest thing on earth, amen.'' Man the feelings in those words at the beggining

[@tonym994]

I saw him show up his guitarist in '86 .the guy had a slightly too heavy touch, honestly. he said something like ,''easy''! I play guitar, and thought it was warranted.

[@catboyzee]

Not very many musicians left in the world these days that could pull off this level of Bluesy, Jazzy, Churchy mood. Get it Uncle Ray...

[@PhreezyOnTheBeat]

this wrecks me. one of the most beautiful performances that i've ever heard.

[@Jermaine_Jones]

When he hits that note at 1:13, that response, the feel, the emotion....That was incredible. Mr. Charles was a bad bad man!!!

[@colorred5383]

one of the moments that ever happened xD felt it so much

[@charlesstrouss]

Oh jesus you guys, he was a genius for sure, but he was hammered out of his gourd. We've all been there, right? The dude was TFU'd.

[@zachhoague2307]

Could you imagine a today’s artist just playing an instrument and singing with no fire work backstage light display. Young but man I love older music

[@saullandiof5768]

yes i can lol. there's a large variety of artists today

[@fakephoenixprince]

@@saullandiof5768 I know what you mean. But not like this. Very select few today.

[@TombstoneHeart]

I used to have piano lessons from a pretty good jazz pianist and he said that slow tunes are the hardest to play. Just to prove his point, he told me to try to play along with some of Jimmy Reed's dead slow tunes and kept the tempo. He was so right - its bloody hard!

[@oooooscar_]

jacob collier :)

[@seangrieve8181]

WOW! The best ones don't try to be. They just are.

[@nyterpfan]

Couldn't have phrased it any better--the greats have "it"---a special "something" that can't be taught.

[@virgiljohnson5081]

WOW! this brother is really the epitome of SOUL.

[@TheophilusBoone]

Muddy said he would only play slow blues if he could. That's when the feeling is most intense. Of course, audiences want up-tempo. Ray really gets into the stratosphere here. Never seen him so wild.

[@nikolaras93]

Watching him perform,the way he feels music is fuckin beatiful.

[@KRxN11]

When I hear this, I have to either pull out my axe and play along, or just sit, entranced, hypnotized, transfixed. And, afterwards, I have to take a nap. And wake up and play out the inspiration that this gives me. In a category by His Royal Self. Have Mercy!!!!!

[@kennywebb7932]

Kenya Nkhrumah my neighbors are hearing this too and my keys as well

[@Raulo707]

My neighbors as well, I have been blessed to listen to Rays Music and all of it inspires you.. But this one, is just deep and cold . then it gets blunt, and a lil razzle dazzle . there you have it ! Time to play . i got 4 keys = 8.. Stay inspired fellow musicians and artist🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@sdavidfreud]

He doesn't sing the song. The song sings him. Pure soul. Pure Ray.

[@user-gb8fl3lt2n]

Do you knw the name of this? thanks

[@evanabbott2737]

Absolutely👍

[@TazzMania985]

Perfect Observation!!!!

[@Raulo707]

Oh yes , I seriously will wait till a ballroom moment or maybe for the future wedding , just wanna hear the whole 9+ minutes and want everybody to feel good hearing his sorrows in that cover he performed with nothing but soul... That song just squeezed outta him .. Seriosuly , I don't think that was rehearsed!!!!

[@christophermoorman8995]

​@@user-gb8fl3lt2n stormy Monday

[@youngpaderewski3668]

Ray Charles was the personification of soul.

[@eqsone]

Jesus. Was about to faint when the backies dropped in. I'm speachless.

[@allanmaulana85]

Oh man, do you feel how much soul that he gives to his music? Too deep!

[@samdehnad6407]

This man touches the depths of ones soul in an otherwise soulless world.

[@jasmine3250]

This song changed my life.

[@Raulo707]

Interesting, its definitely making an impact on where i would love to be , talk about motivation, inspiration; Now that's what I call 🎵usic !!!!!

[@rippygirl423]

Come on Ray...You are pulling on my heart-strings.

[@3mnpourlepianojazz670]

Ray Charles a killer voice, a master in blues.

[@christophermoorman8995]

Yes brother your right

[@teneca00]

Man that was HOT!!! to witness an artist who can FEEL his music..... I promise he caught the Holy Ghost least 4 times during the session lol. & his band was so tuned to him. Watch how they followed his body WHICH QUEUED THEIR FLOW..... what a gift. He is Soooooooooooooo missed & will NEVER be forgotten!!

[@williamhuggie6316]

this is around 30bpm and it’s impressive how they are all together. i’m only 15 years old and this is the best kind of music

[@judybingham1983]

The Genius of Soul creating.

[@murph5438]

The greatest male singer in the history of American music

[@shotty2164]

Amen

[@YeOldeTowneCryer]

Ray rocks the keyboard, and he rocks his body, and the crowd gets rocking. Gave me goosebumps. AWESOME!

[@charlesstrouss]

yeah, especially right before he passes out from the Heroin. Look I love brother ray, but it's just stupid to claim this was not Heroin enhanced.

[@ollewiberg6093]

@@charlesstroussDo You know during which years Ray Charles used heroin? Do You know What Year he quit? And finally, do You know what Year this number is performed?

[@Skipperj]

I've never seen Ray go off like this....Just AWESOME !

[@mehrshadh8009]

its 2019 and im an iranian guy! i love you the legend! 🖤♥️

[@planelover3053]

He adds a certain magic to his music Noone even compares today. Noone

[@Santafunk]

Ray charles's playing was hard driving and deep. A little rockin, but smooth. Happy but sad at the same time. Never have I seen anyone play with so much soul, and have fun at the same time. Ray Charles really knew how to play from the heart.

[@Ronald60202]

Priceless. Dizzy Gillespie called the way Ray played these licks "funeral blues". They were so achingly slow and exciting at the same time.

[@TazzMania985]

I can't stay away from this song! It keeps calling me back!

[@harrisonjackson2765]

2020 still this man still has BANGER till the world ends. AMEN

[@darleneharrison4601]

I was born 36 years after Ray Charles and I still listen to his music. I love to see him play the Piano and I love when he hit a crazy note.

[@Mjollnir1234]

There is simply nothing else like this. Real time. Real music. Just one note.

[@Crunchysopa52]

The Genius at work.

[@julian4925]

el verdadero blues del alma

[@Crunchysopa52]

julian de boedo Ray fue uno de los mas espectacular artistas que me he visto en la vida, y sin duda cuando el tocó en vivo.

[@fllomasta]

That wasn't work. I think he just loved what he did. But yeah, I agree that he was a genius.

[@iddhisbing8092]

Jesus, this is good. Might be true what they say about American musicians saving their best for European audiences. A man who knew that slower is better. Yeah!

[@PowerfulKundalini]

Check out Jaoa gilberto in tokyo.

[@SavageInsight]

Definitely a man whose passion controlled his body more than maybe he did

[@ducciocastelli7560]

Greatest bluesman ever! So long Ray.

[@jerrydjones5328]

Best performance I’ve ever seen on KZbin…

[@youpippo81]

i love it when ray goes: ...now wait a minute now...ka boom!; sroking that piano like no one...yea...5th sense:"touch"

[@drunkardsdream]

That's why some people call it stormy monday... But I found out that Tuesday's just as bad !

[@Shaftlaft]

i've got absolutely no words.....the music, the singing....its hardly impossible to feel it....damn...

[@charlesmosley8378]

Rays soul explodes in his music. This is one of my favorite clips

[@unCool1984]

What a great lesson about tempo. Thats what I get out of the video. What a master of the blues

[@mirrorimagemaskart3039]

When I feel like shit or down I just listen to some Live Ray Charles.

[@unhingedskrunkly8512]

Talent, hardwork, charisma all on display! Ray one of the very best musicians of all time!😍

[@amerikarma]

DOWN…OhYeah~ The finest Ray clip EVER !

[@charlesstrouss]

Dude was TFU'd, I just have to see the rest of this show. Best Stormy Monday ever!!!!

[@bingefest1799]

I would give up my sight in an instant if that meant I could be as musically gifted as Ray Charles

[@ericwest1548]

All you can do is sip brandy and shake your head...damn

[@yunggaucho3534]

Eric West hahahaha good one

[@harrisonjackson2765]

AMEN

[@mistyp6562]

You got that right baby!

[@Sol_Keez]

@Mandy Vin Bet not smoke one, shit will have yo ass crying listening to Ray.

[@jeraldcuccurullo2497]

The best ever! The Floyd mayweather of the piano the voice of the blues! My all time favorite singer and pianist🎹🇺🇸🥁🙏🎹❤️☮️😎😎😎

[@HigboyTheMagnificent]

He puts a LOT of soul into his music

[@scottglover8357]

ONE AND ONLY KING OF SOULFUL GENIUS ❤ R.C.

[@sandrapoore4514]

Lord this is Amazing!!! God Bless Ray...Genius...

[@nino0057]

The moment he starts to play you know you're witnessing something special.

[@kebrm22]

The more and more I listen to this video a few things come into light. Ray Charles and Prince where on the same level.Number two, this version of Stormy Monday borders on or is the beginning of Funk as we know it. This is a truly killer performance and it's a look into the future music. This is why Ray Charles is a musical Genius !!

[@khadirm790]

There is music literally flowing throughout this man's body...TRULY a gift from God.

[@frankg3168]

.

[@Elsuper-dm8sy]

Khadir M AMEN!!!! 🙏

[@YouriCastro]

truly hardwork

[@user2653]

We should stop using the word "literally" for everything

[@MrMortadeloyfilemon]

@@YouriCastro yes but some people just "got it" :)

[@peterhead9981]

I got goosebumps on goosebumps...... oh man, this is so good.

[@markyork5839]

Fuck me he's good. Total and absolute connection between the man and his music.

[@michaelcraig745]

Lord have MERCY on me!

[@user-rh9su9cr4d]

God bless you Ray Charles 😢😢😢we'll always love your videos and songs 😊

[@ClassicBluesVideos]

This is soooooooooo good. Ray knows how to do the magic right.

[@TheBitterWeed]

This is just pure class from the get-go. Cherish and treasure it, people.

[@RiccardoGrosso]

What really crank me up are the muscians (genius like Ray, just to be clear) speaking about something like "their own business" while mr.Charles plays the intro...it's means really something real good to me. They're so natural spreading magic around. :)

[@tyleryesta1]

"Now... Wait a minute now". Best Ray video online.

[@murph3001]

Please listen to A Tear Fell ___ live

[@DerekSamuelReese]

Lord have mercy, brilliant!!

[@lowpressurevision]

Loving the psychedelic ending. What a gig!

[@barrycooke9249]

Insane.... So Soulful... Master Of Slow...........

[@KRxN11]

This ain't nothing but the Truth, Ruth. Have mercy! One of the greatest from one of the greatest. Whew! Go on and take your time. Give the guitar man a tip. Who is that?

[@BiteMeHarder333]

SO glad I gotta see him play in the 90's. Probably the best show i've ever been to. The venue even sucked. But what soul that man had.

[@murph3001]

There never was nor will there ever be anyone that can do this like The Genius. Thanks Ray

[@anon4275]

A whole story is told in the way he paused between notes. That's true blues.

[@RanBlakePiano]

anon4275 so important. Yeah

[@craigmaggard3202]

Brother Ray is one of the coolest cats to have ever walked the planet ! He gets his whole body into it! Love it man

[@barbusie4764]

He got his whole body into it because he was a needle jabbing heroin freak at the time this was being recorded.. He was high as hell ......

[@davidmccall4776]

I can't understand someone not loving the blues. I just don't get it. Nothing expresses the human condition, and its extremes, like the blues at one end and Gospel at the other. They touch the deepest recesses of the soul, and nobody was better at the blues than Ray Charles! RIP Ray, no more hard times.

[@structlightning]

look at how much hes feeling the music

[@stevearle]

This is one of the very few posts in which the comments are 99% choice, insightful and bang on... I would guess outta respect for this great artist.

[@MaksimchukFL]

This is around 30-35 bpm? Its really impressive how the band and him handles such a slow tempo.

[@pattherat8820]

they're following rays vocals, but yeah you're right

[@TheHelipierre]

Never so much suffering has been released by Ray Charles .I love this great soul ....

[@user-hr8lc5sk7l]

Это один из самых глубоких и пронзительных блюзов, какие мне доводилось слышать...

[@larissafinik1903]

I agree Alexander

[@LHudsonARTLIFTS]

Holy shit, you can't beat that. Legend

[@monicavargas4877]

Se me pone la piel de gallina con este vídeo. ¡Qué voz...!

[@CJHarrisMusic]

I could watch this over and over. Thanks for the video

[@gerryvanderzeypen1214]

Nobody but nobody did it like him......" the blues" boys and girls....the blues!! RIP Mr. Charles............

[@fitos7704]

QUE ARTISTA, QUE INTERPRETACION... QUE CALIDAD. QUE HERMOSA ES LA MUSICA.

[@WeAreNotAmused]

He is weighing the time like some great. Scale. Weighing a man's soul in the balance. Before God. Seriously dangerously sharp. Sensitivity to articulation of a long time signature. Old Ray could cut without ever breaking stride. He gives the phrase self fulfilling prophecy a brand new appreciation to The fold The man had a formula for success. Self determinative

[@KayAichJay]

Ray filled the darkness with more beauty than most of us will ever see. I'm so glad he shared his gift with us mortals.

[@nugsymalone1247]

I'm 31 and friends my age don't understand my musical taste. I should explain to them that I feel music like ray charles does. It hits like that man

[@Raulo707]

Real shit.. Im 37... Been listening to all types of artis thru my life... I go back all the time ,any and everybody on the 45's and the Lps... But long story short, listening to a full Ray Charles album , is wise for the mind. Far as Artist/Musicians , nothing but pure soulful inspiration..

[@wolex32]

Soul fed. Thanks Ray, R.I.P.

[@ennui406]

the late great MR RAY CHARLES!!!!! The all-time best blues

[@tormodrisnes6681]

It's just beautiful to listen to! That's from the heart. Love it....

[@enclavehere6495]

The rhodes is amazing here, Ray plays like no one else man

[@christophermoorman8995]

@@enclavehere6495 yes thats very true

[@polvera777]

Imagine what that sense of touch meant to Ray? Those women blew his mind! Cool Ray.

[@jeraldcuccurullo2497]

The best pianos 🎹 and singer in all times in my blues idiom opinions 🙏🎹🦅🇺🇸

[@MartinHam66]

Love Ray, always have, always will!