James Ray

James Ray kickstarted his career as a teenager in 1959 after he left Washington DC for New York, but debut single 'Make Her Mine' flopped. Two years later, songwriter Rudy Clark discovered Ray and got him signed to the Caprice label, the resultant 'If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody' a top-30 hit that the Beatles covered in early live sets.

Ray's self-titled debut album had that hit and the equally appealing follow-up, 'Itty Bitty Pieces,' as well as 'I've Got My Mind Set On You,' later successfully covered by George Harrison. An overdose would tragically cut short Ray's career, this sole LP from 1962 a testament to his enduring talent.

TRACKS:

• SIDE A
• A1. The Old Man And The Mule
• A2. Lazy Bones
• A3. I've Got My Mind Set On You - Pt. I Pt. II
• A4. St. James Infirmary
• A5. Come Rain Or Come Shine
• A6. If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody

• SIDE B
• B1. Without A Song
• B2. Teach Me Tonight
• B3. A Miracle
• B4. It's Been A Drag
• B5. Welcome To The Floor
• B6. Itty Bitty Pieces