Tribute to Uncle Ray is the second studio album by Stevie Wonder, released in 1962 on Tamla Records. The "Uncle Ray" of the title is Ray Charles, a direct acknowledgment of the influence that Charles had on Stevie Wonder's vocal and musical development. The album features young Stevie performing arrangements of songs most closely associated with Ray Charles, including "Hallelujah I Love Her So," "Don't You Know," and other signature tracks. None of the material was written by Wonder; this was a Motown production designed to pair a child prodigy with beloved Ray Charles material and attract immediate attention. The album is a historical document of Wonder's vocal range and emotional depth at 12 years old, astonishing by any measure, even as his writing would come much later.
Track Listing & Credits
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hallelujah I Love Her So | Ray Charles | Ray Charles | Clarence Paul |
|
| 2 | Ain't That Love | Ray Charles | Ray Charles | Clarence Paul |
|
| 3 | Don't You Know | Ray Charles | Ray Charles | Clarence Paul |
|
| 4 | (I'm Afraid) The Masquerade Is Over | Herbert Magidson, Allie Wrubel | Herbert Magidson, Allie Wrubel | Clarence Paul |
|
| 5 | Frankie & Johnny | Traditional | Traditional | Clarence Paul |
|
| 6 | Drown in My Own Tears | Henry Glover | Henry Glover | Clarence Paul |
|
| 7 | Come Back Baby | Ray Charles | Ray Charles | Clarence Paul |
|
| 8 | Mary Ann | Ray Charles | Ray Charles | Clarence Paul |
|
| 9 | Sunset | Stevie Wonder, Clarence Paul | Stevie Wonder, Clarence Paul | Clarence Paul |
|
| 10 | My Baby's Gone | Berry Gordy Jr. | Berry Gordy Jr. | Clarence Paul |
|
Data note: Album consists of covers of songs associated with Ray Charles. All writing credits belong to original composers. Stevie Wonder had no songwriting input on this record.