Product Details

• Actors: Ray Charles, Michael Bolton, Tevin Campbell, Bill Cosby, Gloria Estefan
• Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Image Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: November 8, 2005
• Run Time: 90 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000BD1LI6
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #69,594 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Ray Charles - 50 Years in Music" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

It's possible, likely even, that Ray Charles put on a few poor or at least perfunctory performances in his career, but 50 Years in Music isn't one of them. Combined with his sheer talent, the man's natural ebullience and joy at playing music were enough to transcend the restrictions of any given scene--in this case, an antiseptic concert hall filled with a glamorous crowd barely visible beyond the footlights. In fact, if there's any significant drawback to this 90-minute show, recorded in 1991 in Pasadena, California, it's that there isn't enough Ray. Days before his 60th birthday, he showed up to deliver versions of a few of his standards ("What'd I Say," "Busted," "Georgia On My Mind," "America the Beautiful"), along with some less usual fare (the country-tinged "Just for a Thrill," the bluesy "Can't Keep a Good Man Down"), imbuing every tune with a freshness one might have thought impossible, given how many times he'd performed them. But there's a lengthy mid-show stretch when Charles isn't even onstage, and classics like "Your Cheatin' Heart," "I Can't Stop Loving You" and "I Got a Woman" are performed by Randy Travis, James Ingram, and Michael McDonald respectively; good singers all, but not in a league with Brother Ray. Meanwhile, three duets yield mixed results: Ray and Stevie Wonder mesh superbly on "Livin' for the City" and Willie Nelson relaxes with the star on "Busted," but the egregious Michael Bolton damn near ruins "Georgia" with his ear-shattering, over-the-top emoting. And the presence of Tevin Campbell (a young Quincy Jones protégé who comes on like a more wholesome version of Michael Jackson) and Brit band the Brand New Heavies, neither of whom performs a song that has anything to do with Ray Charles, is merely baffling. 50 Years in Music is just fine as tributes go, but as the late attorney Johnnie Cochran might have put it, "If you've got Ray, let him play." --Sam Graham

Product Description

RAY CHARLES:50 YEARS IN MUSIC - DVD Movie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not the greatest, June 26, 2007

By 

A. Wright "westtexan" (Abilene, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ray Charles - 50 Years in Music (DVD)

I should have read the description more carefully. Really thought that I
was buying a Ray Charles CD. Instead there was a minimum of
music performed by Ray, and a lot of less than great performances by others. Disappointing!

3.0 out of 5 stars Uncle Ray in concert, July 17, 2011

By 

Wanda M. Green (Bronx, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ray Charles - 50 Years in Music (DVD)

Ray's performance is excellent but the quality of the film is not. I never had the opportunity to see him perform in person so this is the closest I'll ever get. I only regret the quality wasn't better.

5.0 out of 5 stars Where the Soul never gets old!, June 28, 2011

By 

Rizzo (Nowhere) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Ray Charles - 50 Years in Music (DVD)

What a great tribute to a man celebrating 50 years in music and his 61st birthday. The live concert from 1990 or 1991, sounds excellent, lighting good and the mood is fun with a jazzy, soul, pop, country sound. Many have come to celebrate and honor Ray Charles. The concert shows backstage rehearsals, interviews and comedy, one being George Lopez. There is something for the younger set, but the best comes from some of the best in solos and duets with Ray Charles.

Some memorable songs; Ray Charles (What'd I Say); (Livin' for the City) ; (Just for a Thrill); Stevie Wonder(Hallelujah); Willie Nelson (Busted); Michael Bolton (Georgia); Willie Nelson (Busted); Randy Travis (You're Cheatin' Heart); Gladys Knight (I Wish I'd Never Love You At All); Michael McDonald (I Got a Woman); Tevin Campbell (Just Ask Me To). The finale is Ray leading with America The Beautiful. Ray Charles shares his gratitude to his guests for making time for his celebration. Great Music! .....Rizzo