James Ray (born James Jay Raymond, 1941 ? c. May 1963) was an American R&B singer of the early 1960s best known for the hit single "If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody", which went to number 10 on the US Billboard R&B chart and number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962. Using the name James Ray, his first recording was of Clark's song, "If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody", arranged by Hutch Davie. The record was a hit on both the pop and R&B charts. The single was issued in the UK in 1962 as well, and the song was performed by the Beatles before being discovered by Freddie and the Dreamers, who took it into the top 5 of the UK Singles Chart the year after. In the United States, Ray's single was followed in July 1962 by an eponymous album that contained the follow-up single "Itty Bitty Pieces", which reached No. 41 on the Billboard pop chart, as well as "Got My Mind Set on You", also written by Clark. An edited version was released later in the year as a single on the Dynamic Sound label.
Tracks:
A1. I've Got My Mind Set On You - Pts.1 & 2 3:28
A2. If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody 1:58
A3. Lazy Bones 2:16
A4. St. James Infirmary 2:36
A5. Come Rain Or Come Shine 1:56
A6. The Old Man And The Mule 2:11
A7. We Got A Thing Goin' On
B1. Without A Song 2:28
B2. Teach Me Tonight 2:16
B3. A Miracle 1:59
B4. It's Been A Drag 2:05
B5. Welcome To The Floor 2:15
B6. Itty Bitty Pieces 2:22
B7. I'm Not Guilty 2:35
