Ray Charles vs. Etta James - Who Did It Better (1959/1963)

So here you have two classic live recordings by two legendary artists. Share your thoughts in there comments section below.
I'm a big fan of early live recordings of Rhythm and Blues Concerts. Portable recording equipment (developed during by the Germans to record symphonies and stolen by the US after WWII) allowed shows to be recorded anywhere. One of the first released on LP was Ray Charles In Person, which was recorded with a single microphone by Atlanta dee-jay Zenas Sears in May 1959, it was the follow-up to 1958's Ray Charles at Newport. When James Brown exploded with Live At The Apollo in May, 1963, Motown rushed to capture its Motortown Review and Marvin Gaye on LP [Stevie Wonder's breakthrough single, Fingertips, was culled from the Little STEVIE WONDER RECORDED LIVE lp (1963).
Chess Records followed the trend by recording two of its biggest stars--Bo Diddley at the Beach lacks in comparison to ETTA JAMES ROCKS THE HOUSE, which in my opinion is nearly as good as James Brown's Live at the Apollo.
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[@carltonballzeigler2932]

You can't beat the original. Two thumbs up for Ray Charles.

[@empressnaja]

They both did a great job , because that's what real music was back then. However both still resonates still today. They both are legends and reign supreme.

[@basheermuhammad7757]

Yup.

[@basheermuhammad7757]

True soul. Both get on down. Both are great. I do like Ms. Etta James fire.

[@basheermuhammad7757]

I like Ray Charles' precision.

[@kateolanrewaju3683]

Etta for me

[@johnnythompson1887]

Bless

[@cocoblessings]

Both renditions are great! I refuse to choose between the two artists😎

[@BAM36_86]

Etta voice is like “ Bitch I’m here to shut it down” love the rawness and pain and her voice such a candid vocalist and a beautiful woman

[@AndreaTAndreaT]

Ha Ha Ha!!!

[@heathertea2704]

UNCLE RAY ALL THE WAY! 😍😍😍😍😍

[@bluebutterflywellness2273]

Oboy, Oboy, OH BOY! This one of my fav Ray Charles songs, so I for sure thought I was going with him hands down, but when I heard Ms. Etta, I had to throw in the towel...IT'S A BEAUTIFUL TIE!! ❤❤❤

[@SandyWolf-]

Etta James I love both of them but her voice so powerful

[@mlh209]

Shhhhiiittt Etta did that baby. I have never heard her version and it knocked the taste out of my mouth.

[@missbel8849]

I love both!!! Both are legends. Here for it 🖤🖤

[@dedicatedfelineenthusiast2211]

Ray’s felt like a concert, however Etta’s felt like you’re at a party. She just got up and sang. 😊

[@winnaz7]

i agree with you 100%

[@maurice8607]

Both great and Etta's album is unbelievable but I'm plumping for Ray.

[@davidmorrison5186]

Ray on this one. His playing really turns it up a notch.

[@evonza4858]

Ps did anybody else besides me remember Etta James' part in the movie "Catilac Records"? Etta has proved herself over and over that she had a place in the music world🥰 Aretha is the queen of soul and Etta is the queen of the blues🥰❤️🖤💚 rip both Etta and Ray and may their families and fans live in peace ❤️🖤💚🥰

[@nicolec2470]

There is no comparison. I love them both.

[@simmiewilliams5970]

Unfair, like watching your siblings fight. Both for the win.....I love my people✊🏿...real black always on point.

[@charlottelinder4868]

Amen 🖤🖤🖤✊✊✊

[@perrinfan]

Etta all the way! Most badass woman to ever walk the earth. 🧡

[@grammyj1394]

PerrinLogainKadanFan ~ she is badd to da bone fa sho but Ray owns it✊🏾

[@suffa07]

Hats off and respect to both of these legends, true artists in every sense of the word... Nothing but respect! Now down to business. The question was asked, and I got to answer it whether I want to or not, whether y’all like it or not. “I always tell the truth, even when I lie!” But really, the difference between these two covers, to me, is simply this: one be a smooth, romantic, rhythmically, climatic heartbeat that’s released with no pressure, yet it still penetrates soul matter ... squeezing bumps of geese out your epidermis. The groove is so on, then off ever so slightly that anticipatory movements settle in your feet, head, and hands, causing involuntarily tapping, nodding, and snapping. Man ... until a voice breaks the molecules in the air, strong, long, and seasoned with grit, but not too rough, steadily bleeding over a melodic syncopation so consistent it puts souls in time out, and time in again. now, the other is raw pain, contained in a pressure cooker that explodes showers of uncouth roughness all over untimely rhythms. The soul of the song carries pain packaged and garbed in a salacious zeal. There is nothing tight about breath, rhapsody, and melodic measurement here; just a loose, steady pounding while head locking all sensibilities.The vibrations in the atmosphere are deranged, but strangely attractive. Why does one keep making love to the song so actively? ... because, I imagine, it reminds them of the first one, the best one, that they guess won. At least I do!

[@rubytuesday5567]

I like both. I never l knew Ms. James sang it too.

[@mikethomas5231]

Liked them both,but this is Ray's ALL the way!!!

[@tragic504]

Ray Charles

[@a.c.harris1898]

Most Definitely "RAY CHARLES"! Rocks it from every possible angle - vocally, & instrumentally so smoothly! Much props to ETTA as an outstanding vocalist, but RAY is 'The Man' on this!

[@pamelalovings4711]

2019' Ray Charles💕😇 to Yall-All!!!

[@evonza4858]

#I got love for both as people and musicians 🥰❤️🖤💚

[@voodoochile4147]

This is a fun concept! Please do more. I’d give this one to Ray! They both rocked it, but I got the feels for reals from Ray’s version.

[@Riogi]

Ray all the way! I love his version the best.

[@creolateach1983]

Love them both.

[@Serenityafterall]

Marvelous ‼ They Never competed Why Now ❗.......Great Artists💕💕💕💕💕Learn 🎼🎶

[@loveyu2778]

Etta James's version sounds like I'm listening and watching Shugg From the Color Purple.. love it... She brought me in..

[@jbsu12]

This is great! I would love to see more of these. I can't choose both are amazing

[@reelblack]

There are a few more on the channel. Just search “who did it better”

[@noahrichards7865]

Yeah Ray Charles won that one hands down Charles was a beast back in the day, no lie and that's all to that.

[@reaginmx]

my vote is for Ray Charles, he always rocked the house wiith that song...

[@ladypainter496]

No contest ... Ray " your the one 💕💕

[@effu2]

Wow, dope concept for a video

[@calisouthqueen]

I gotta give it to Etta! And i'm shocked by this one too! She gave it that grit that set it over the edge. Ray is a classic no doubt.... but I'll give to her this round.

[@joycecomegys5835]

This is hard they're both phenomenal, but I gotta go with Etta!!!!

[@choneyb54]

LOVE BOTH VERSIONS👍👍👍 BUT THE REASON WHY THE RAY CHARLES VERSION STICKS OUT IN MY MIND, CAUSE MY GRANNY DIDN'T WANT MY MOM & AUNTS TO PLAY IT!! 😂😂😂

[@patmauney5728]

Ray won this round.

[@WakeTheFUpBro]

oh man this would be a good duet damn Charles takes this one but Etta is fire... love em both!!!

[@diowil1]

Reelblack ... I read the brief bio regarding the early live recording circumstances. Very insightful briefing. Thanks!

[@ericg4568]

Thinking that Ray just thought of this joint in a jook joint, and made it a over night hit. Gotta go with Ray!

[@willm7994]

This is awesome!!!!

[@malcolmxparis7158]

Ray Charles, hands down.

[@lacyedesouza2144]

I love both versions

[@richandfrancescaarriola5965]

Definitely Ray Charles...He shows more restraint in the way that he allows his voice to flow with the song.

[@winnieford540]

Loving them both thanks for sharing

[@Sharon-tb9yh]

First time hearing it by Etta James both good cause up.

[@kentalks2818]

Tie! Is it me or does it sound like Janice Joplin study tf outta Etta's live album to fashion her entire musical style? You can just see her somewhere in San Fran in May of 1963 when this drop in a drug inducted daze taking heavy notes after someone put her onto this record. "It was right then that Janice knew Etta had f'd up" *Morgan Freeman voice*

[@sophiadavenport3959]

Etta does sound like Janis Joplin.

[@kentalks2818]

A whisper of Patricia you mean Janis sounds like Etta 😊

[@mmsjdl]

Ray Charles hands down✌👊

[@stopjudginghi4109]

CHOOSE! WHICH OF THE ICONICS, YOU WANT!! WHOM? IS THE BEST!! THEY BOTH ARE HOLY AND!! MORE THAN, ANY CHILDISH, THOUGHTS, OF WHO,S BETTER THAN THE OTHER!!! THEY BOTH ARE, BETTER THAN BETTER!! OUR SOULS!! CRY FOR THEM BOTH. YOU FOOL!!

[@juanap2230]

Both are good in their own way!!!

[@SumMumBoMum]

I have to go with Ray..

[@TT-bz1ne]

They both make you wanna shake a tail feather lol, but my fav cut is Etta's Sugar on the floor.

[@pamyahisrael7288]

Mr. Ray Ray Charles did it Best!!!! New Subbie!!!!

[@eagleturtlestar]

Nice Mike ...I say Etta!

[@Jim-db9bt]

How dare you compare any other artist to ole Ray's ground breakingly unique style! Even Etta James(whom's influence in R&B music was also profund), can't compare.

[@MissGNX]

Love Ray Charles but Etta knocked it out the park!

[@nandoislandesantos927]

Os dois são excelentes!!

[@dejavue54]

Ray did his thang!!!

[@mmason2754]

Ray Charles for life.

[@protecttheyouthstandup5170]

That's a close one . she rocked that just as good as Ray . tie.

[@charlottelinder4868]

Mr. Ray Charles.... All the way... 10/12/2019

[@tammygreen8962]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 BOTH ARE DOING IT BIG 👍💯 THAT'S WHAT I SAY 😂 AND IT'S ALRIGHT 💖

[@charleswilliams8248]

Etta James ain’t no joke! That’s all I’m saying! Mr. Ray Charles is a in class by himself!

[@Emanual0607]

I enjoyed both performances!

[@cflo1023]

RAY's is the BEST!!!!! all day long...that bad ass DRUMMER!!!!!

[@josephwilliams4780]

Mr ray Charles the one and only

[@MsCK34]

Definitely a tie!!! Etta came with it! Ray Charles put his spin on it for sure!

[@carmelitacarter3913]

Both are legends, however, I have to pick Ray Charles 💖💖💖.

[@rosalindwilliams9358]

I like both.

[@bonitawortham]

Dang!! Etta girl dang you did it down and grimy.... But Ray ...Omg!

[@reesegoldess5740]

Etta James although you couldn't go wrong with Mr Ray Charles ,

[@reathearose7493]

Etta got it....

[@williammartinez3947]

Ray Charles is smooth but Etta is gritty. I love gritty.

[@UrGworlCanCan]

Ms.. Etta has my vote. No shade to Mr.. Charles at all!

[@ikhanic48]

Of course Ray was the greatest, but so was Etta, and she's on his ass with this one! Peace, Thanks baby.

[@RedPill7154]

⭐🏆 Cant choose. It's a draw 👑⭐

[@reneej1028]

Both artists killed it. Cannot choose - it's a draw for me.

[@jerometurner8069]

Jam too this shit!

[@motomweusi836]

I mean, I like Ray but Etta bringing that fire. This is one of those rare times that I'll say , no vote.

[@autumnsmom1117]

Two Legends of the game. Tie for me.

[@crdjr9842]

Etta James is terrific as usual... But Ray Charles ownes this one!

[@easyon12]

Both tied!!!

[@704JOE]

NO VS THEY BOTH DID GOOD

[@philliptaylor4345]

Nobody's better than brother Ray, sorry etta

[@septiawoman2911]

"Ray, hands down."

[@wesgriffin6081]

Usually the original wins but on this song, Etta James. She really throwing down on this.

[@marilynharris7427]

Ray in the Original! I do Love Etta Though!

[@oljacky2timez968]

Ray Charles! But Etta James did her thang!

[@gloriarange8721]

Etta got this one but I do love Ray version also

[@jacksprat2178]

First time I've heard Etta's version. Her vocal range is superior to Ray's, however, there is no difference in the arrangement. For me, this is a tie!

[@KoolT]

Impossible to pick. No way I can choose.

[@patricksmith2274]

Ray Charles😎

[@rpkrauss1]

Etta's great but Ray, he's beyond whomever you put him against.....however I DO LOVE ETTA. so it's my man Ray all the way...😊

[@markthomas9034]

Hello Brother. Would you be opposed to using the article "or" to "versus"? Our Black excellence is contingent on our seeing it as a collective and not a competition. Just my thoughts. Words mean things. I thoroughly enjoyed both performances by the way.

[@finitewonder4978]

Two thumbs up!!

[@melsymelmel8263]

Etta! Although they both grab my heart!

[@sayitloudblcknproud]

Etta!

[@getprettyfit1997]

My first time hearing Etta James's take. I liked it. She worked it. I am familiar with Ray's. I prefer his his version.

[@jojones2500]

Mr. Ray Charles did it better . Mr. Ray Charles version had an easy soulful vibe .

[@iamlove113]

Miz Etta! I done shook my red dress alla the way off and it’s alright. Now run tell dat!

[@dejavue54]

I am love.....I'm screaming.....love it❤❤🤣🤣🤣

[@dejavue54]

Both...did they thang!!

[@BluesInMySoul]

ETTA!