Ray Charles America

Alexis Spraic:
Ray Charles America (USA, 2010)
90 min. - English

Few artists have successfully managed to combine and alternate between music styles as effortlessly as Ray Charles. The beloved artist has given us so many memorable songs, whether it’s blues, jazz, R&B or country music. Alexia Manya Spraic really succeeds in depicting the magnificently long career of the unbelievably wide-ranging artist in the touching documentary Ray Charles America. The heart-rending version of Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire alone makes this film a must-see for every Ray Charles fan.

Ray Charles’ open-mindedness did not apply only to his music. Perhaps it was the fact that he was blind that made him ignorant to the color of the skin, at a time when the USA was still deeply divided into black and white people. Ray did not care about the restrictions that segregationists tried to cast on him. He refused to adapt to the traditional role of a black entertainer and thus became a significant figure in the battle for human rights for the African American communities - although, in the end, all he wanted was to perform his music to as wide an audience as possible.

Ray Charles America offers many different perspectives to the master musician’s career and significance, not forgetting the harder times in his life, such as his drug conviction. Spraic had plenty of never-before-seen and heard footage and a throng of interviews from the mega stars of music business, from which to compile this soulful film. It can be recommended, without any reservation, not only to the fans, but anyone the least bit interested in the phenomenon that is Ray Charles.

Check out also:

» Morgan Neville: Troubadours
» Don McGlynn, Joe Lauro: Rejoice and Shout
» Brendan Canty, Christoph Green: Ashes of American Flags: Wilco Live
» Morgan Neville: Troubadours
» Don McGlynn, Joe Lauro: Rejoice and Shout
» Brendan Canty, Christoph Green: Ashes of American Flags: Wilco Live

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Su 20.11.2011 16:00 at Kerubi