We've already outlined a general history of jazz by strolling down the many highways and byways of its different styles during the first fifty years of its life; now we're going to propose another approach to this music, the most popular and creative of the 20th century, and incidentally, one that's still continuing to develop, though in a different manner. We'll be offering a chronological approach to the life and music of some great jazzmen. There are already several anthologies and compilations in this world to do with jazz and those who are part of it, but we wanted to take a different approach and go one step further if possible. We'll be following our selected artists into every corner of their life, their critical and popular successes, anything unusual or innovatory they introduced, all in their order of composition; another "extra" with us will be the sound which will be cleaned and restored. So here goes. Jazz to listen to, accept, listen to again, appreciate, think about. For these are the high points of a musical story belonging to the 20th century that's still relevant fifty years later. Andre Francis (Jazz Characters creator)

Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Confession Blues (R. Charles) Maxin Trio 2'28
2. I Love you, I Love You (J. L. Lawrence) Maxin Trio 2'37
3. Alone In This City (R. Charles) Maxin Trio 2'54
4. Rockin' Chair Blues (R. Charles) Maxin Trio 2'43
5. Let's Have A Ball (R. Charles) Maxin Trio 2'30
6. Can Anyone Ask For More? (R. Charles) Maxin Trio 2'47
7. Ray Charles (p, voc); Gosady McKee (g); Milton Garred (b); LosAngeles, 2 f vrier 1949 7 Blues Before Sunrise (L. Carr) Maxim Trio 2'46
8. Ain't That Fine (B. Hall) Maxim Trio 2'15
9. A Sentimental Blues (R. Andre) Maxim Trio 2'24
10. How Long Blues (L. Carr) Maxim Trio 2'33
11. See See Rider (M. Rainey) Ray Charles Trio 2'32
12. Sittin' On Top Of The World (Carter - Jacobs) Ray Charles Trio 2'15
13. She's On The Ball (R. Charles) Ray Charles Trio 2'28
14. Honey Honey (V. Green) Ray Charles Trio 2'40
15. I've Had My Fun (J. Ogden) Ray Charles Trio 2'41
16. What Have I Done? (R. Charles) Ray Charles Trio 2'31
17. Late In The Evening Blues (S. Henry) Ray Charles Band 3'03
18. Someday (R. Charles) Ray Charles Band 3'07
19. Th' Ego Song (L. Glenn) Ray Charles Band 2'19
20. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand (R. Charles) Ray Charles Trio 2'59
21. Lonely Boy (Henry - Lauderdale) Ray Charles Trio 2'47
22. Baby Won't You Please Come Home (Warfield - Williams) Ray Charles Trio 2'53
23. The Snow Is Falling (R. Charles) Ray Charles With Orchestra 2'48
24. Kissa Me Baby (R. Charles) Ray Charles With Orchestra 3'08
25. Misery In My Heart (R. Charles) Ray Charles With Orchestra 3'02
26. Hey Now (R. Charles) Ray Charles With Orchestra 2'18

Disc 2:

1. I'm Wondering And Wondering (R. Charles) Ray Charles 3'16
2. Let Me Hear You Call My Name (R. Charles) Ray Charles 3'30
3. Back Home (R. Charles) Ray Charles 2'30
4. Jumpin' In The Morning(R. Charles) Ray Charles 2'44
5. The Midnight Hour(S. Sweet) Ray Charles 2'58
6. Sinners' Prayer (L. Glenn - L. Fulson) Ray Charles 3'21
7. Heartbreaker (Nugetre) Ray Charles 2'50
8. Mess Around (Nugetre) Ray Charles 2'38
9. Losing Hand (C. Calhoun) Ray Charles 3'10
10. Funny But I Still Love You (R. Charles) Ray Charles 3'12
11. I Wonder Who (R. Charles) Ray Charles With Edgar Blanchard Orchestra 2'46
12. Feelin' Sad (E. Jones) Ray Charles With Edgar Blanchard Orchestra 2'47
13. Ray's Blues (R. Charles) Ray Charles 2'52
14. Don't You Know (R. Charles) Ray Charles 2'54
15. Nobody Cares (R. Charles) Ray Charles 2'37
16. Black Jack (R. Charles) Ray Charles 2'17
17. I Got A Woman (R. Charles - R. Richard) Ray Charles 2'49
18. Come Back Baby (R. Charles) Ray Charles 3'04
19. A Bit Of Soul (R. Charles) Ray Charles 2'18
20. Hard Times (R. Charles) Ray Charles 2'53
21. A Fool For You (R. Charles) Ray Charles 3'00
22. Hallelujah I Love Her So (R. Charles) Ray Charles 2'34
23. Drown In My Own Tears (H. Glover) Ray Charles 3'18
24. What Would I Do Without You (R. Charles) Ray Charles 2'35