Ray Charles (album)

Ray Charles is the debut studio album by American pianist, vocalist, and band leader Ray Charles. Originally released in June 1957 on Atlantic Records, it was re-released under the title Hallelujah I Love Her So in 1962.
Although routinely identified as a debut album, Ray Charles could more accurately be identified as a greatest hits compilation, as all tracks had been previously issued and no fewer than 11 of its 14 tracks had been top 10 hits on the R&B chart between 1953 and 1957. In order, they were: "Mess Around", "Don't You Know", "I Got a Woman", "Come Back", "This Little Girl of Mine", "A Fool for You", "Greenbacks", "Drown in My Own Tears", "Mary Ann", "Hallelujah I Love Her So" and "Ain't That Love".
The three remaining tracks were non-charting B-sides originally issued in 1953–54. No tracks were recorded specifically for an album release.

Critical reception

The Rolling Stone Album Guide thought that "lesser tunes like 'Funny but I Still Love You' and 'Losing Hand' are just as interesting" as the hits.