#581 (Week of 9/6/08 - 9/12/08) [Major Update on 6/26/21]

SPOTLIGHT ON DUETS
PART ONE — CHARLIE AND RAY


"I Love You Madly"/"You're To Blame"
by Charlie And Ray
on Herald H-438
released in 1954

"Take A Look At Me"/"My Lovin' Baby"
by Charlie And Ray
on Herald H-447
released in 1955

"Guess I'm Thru With Love"/"Oh Gee - Oo - Wee"
by Charlie And Ray
on Herald H-461
released in 1955



Above: Charlie And Ray. Full names are Charlie Jones and Ray Williams (Thanks to Marv Goldberg!).

Trade Magazine Article, January 1955:
Tho biz has been on the slow side for the past several months, Herald's Al Silver notes that things are beginning to look up somewhat. Al has been insisting from the release date that his "I Love You Madly" with Charlie and Ray would be a hit. New York, usually not the city to break a record, has begun to order and re-order in large quantities. Al also reveals the diskery has outgrown its old quarters and will be moving to the old CBS building at 1687 Broadway after the first of the year. Messrs. Silver, Angel, and Braverman will have a much larger layout, including a soundproof rehearsal hall....

Down Beat Editors Give R&B Awards
NEW YORK, June 4, 1955 — The editors of Down Beat magazine, in recognition of "the tremendous impact the Rhythm and Blues field has made on popular music" in the last year, have instituted an annual series of awards to recognize deserving record artists...
The following comprise the winners for 1955: Top Male Personality–Joe Turner; Top Female Personality–Lavern Baker; Best Male Vocalist–Roy Hamilton; Best Female Vocalist–Ruth Brown; Best Singing Group–The Charms; Best Instrumental Group–Fats Domino; Most Promising Male Newcomers–Charlie & Ray; Most Promising Female Newcomer–Dakota Staton.




(The Cash Box — October 23, 1954)


(The Cash Box — September 3, 1955)

The Billboard Review (2/26/55):
CHARLIE AND RAY — Herald 447....
My Lovin' Baby
(79) Cheerful ditty about a romantic attachment is sung gleefully by the pair. A cute side with a bright beat, and it should do right well.
Take A Look At Me (78) The Staccato, "broken" phrase style of Charlie And Ray comes thru impressively in this attractive waxing. Many should find it pleasurable listening, and it could pull loot.

(NOTE: A ratings range of 70-79 was considered "good".)

The Cash Box Review (2/26/55):

CHARLIE AND RAY — Herald 447....
Take A Look At Me
(B+) Charlie And Ray come up with a strong item in a slow bouncing ballad. The treatment is unusual and distinct. Should pick up lots of sales.
My Lovin' Baby (B) The duo really moves on this one and turns out a good waxing. Fast beat bouncer with lots of verve.

(NOTE: A rating of B+ was considered "excellent" and B was "very good".)



Directly Above: 1955 clipping from Cleveland Call And Post.

At Right: 1956 clipping from Cleveland Call And Post.

[Both images provided by Richard Koloda.]




Above Left: Charlie And Ray.

Above Right: Label image for Herald H-438. Charles Jones is composer on all six sides of this week's records.
Charlie And Ray's biggest hits were "I Love You Madly" (1954) and "Dearest One" (1955).
After leaving Herald, they had at least one release on the Josie label.

Above: Label images for Herald H-447 and Herald H-461.

Listen to this week's selections by Charlie And Ray: [Audio restoration by Dave Saviet.]

          1. "I Love You Madly" - Charlie And Ray - Herald H-438 - 1954.
          2. "You're To Blame" - Charlie And Ray - Herald H-438 - 1954.
          3. "Take A Look At Me" - Charlie And Ray - Herald H-447 - 1955.
          4. "My Lovin' Baby" - Charlie And Ray - Herald H-447 - 1955.
          5. "Guess I'm Through With Love" - Charlie And Ray - Herald H-461 - 1955.
          6. "Oh Gee - Oo - Wee" - Charlie And Ray - Herald H-461 - 1955.
 
          ALL SIX ABOVE SONGS played in sequence.


Back