Album: The Spirit of Christmas by Ray Charles (1985)
Genre: Soul | Mood: Fun
Record Label: Rhino
Format: Album

Description: Recorded in 1985, The Spirit of Christmas finds Ray Charles performing a variety of holiday favorites with vocal assistance from the Raelettes and an appearance by jazz trumpeter Freddie Hubbard. The ten tracks mix standards and originals, including "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," and the ballad "That Spirit of Christmas," which was featured in the movie National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. The Spirit of Christmas is perfect background music for any holiday celebration.

Artist Background: Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 - June 10, 2004), known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records. He also helped racially integrate country and pop music during the 1960s with his crossover success on ABC Records, most notably with his Modern Sounds albums. While with ABC, Charles became one of the ... Part of the Albany, Georgia music scene. Emerged in the classic era. Associated with Soul movement. Known for Urban/R&B style.

Music Scene: Part of the Albany, Georgia music scene. Emerged in the classic era. Associated with Soul movement. Known for Urban/R&B style.

Tags: Soul, Fun, 1980s, Album, Rhino


Recorded in 1985, The Spirit of Christmas finds Ray Charles performing a variety of holiday favorites with vocal assistance from the Raelettes and an appearance by jazz trumpeter Freddie Hubbard. The ten tracks mix standards and originals, including "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," and the ballad "That Spirit of Christmas," which was featured in the movie National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. The Spirit of Christmas is perfect background music for any holiday celebration.

The Spirit of Christmas

Ray Charles

Track List

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