BEVERLY HILLS, CA. (Concord Records) - During his five-decade-long career, music legend
Ray Charles had five gold records, including the classics "
Georgia" and "I Can't Stop Loving You." Surprisingly, however, he never sold more than a million copies of any single recording. That is, until now.
Last week, the Recording Industry Associated of America (RIAA) officially certified Charles's final recording, Genius Loves Company, as a platinum disc. The CD, a collection of twelve newly recorded duets, was released on August 31, 2004, and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Top 200 chart.
First week sales soared past 200,000 units, quickly outpacing sales for even Sinatra's historic "Duets" album of 10-years ago. Amazingly, this was the first time Charles had been in the Top 10 since 1964. To date, Genius Loves Company has shipped nearly two million copies worldwide.
This landmark CD - Charles' 250th recording effort - features the multi-talented musician performing duets with such world renowned artists as Natalie Cole, Elton John, Norah Jones, B.B. King, Gladys Knight, Diana Krall, Michael McDonald, Johnny Mathis, Van Morrison, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt and James Taylor.
In April, just months before his passing on June 10th, Charles, asked about how he chose his most recent recording partners, said, "The choices were so tough, there were so many that I wanted to work with. I tell you, in over 50 years in this business, I've met some talented people. I am fortunate that the artists we asked were willing to come record with me in my studio."
"I've been a devoted fan of Ray's since I first heard him as a kid," Bonnie Raitt said recently. "Getting to record with Ray has been a lifelong dream and being part of this project has been one of the proudest and most moving moments in my life." Added Elton John, "It was amazing to sit in the studio and sing with him. It's so incredibly impressive to be with someone to whom music had meant so much. It was a very emotional experience."
The considerable sales of Genius Loves Company were facilitated in part by a unique distribution and marketing relationship between Concord Records and Starbucks Coffee Company. Starbucks was singly responsible for nearly 30 percent of the total sales of the album. The CD marks the beginning of an ongoing collaboration between the two companies to produce and distribute new recordings. In addition to traditional music outlets, Genius Loves Company is available at all Starbucks Company-operated locations in the U.S.
"Ray," a new movie based on Charles' life that stars Jamie Foxx and opens on October 29, "Genius: A Night for Ray Charles," a special tribute that will air on CBS on October 22, and a promotional campaign for the holidays are all expected to further boost album sales.
