LOS ANGELES (Rhino Records) - With the smash film Ray continuing to rack up box office receipts, critical acclaim, and award nominations, Rhino is releasing a second soundtrack to accompany the never-before-told musical biographical drama of 12-time Grammy' winner
Ray Charles (www.raymovie.com/raycharles).
The 17-song album, which collects songs from the film and inspired by the film, will include a version of "Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand" and a medley of "Drown In My Own Tears"/"
You Don't Know Me" that "The Genius of Soul" rerecorded at his Los Angeles studios, now a historical landmark, especially for the movie.
With the first volume already certified platinum, MORE MUSIC FROM RAY collects signature Charles studio cuts, live tracks, and hits from the mid-1950s to the early 1970s, including "Busted," "Let's Go Get Stoned," and "I'm Movin' On." It features three songs used in the film - "Leave My Woman Alone," "Rockhouse Parts 1 & 2" and "I Believe To My Soul" - as well as Ray's all-time classic rendition of "America The Beautiful."
MORE MUSIC FROM RAY also includes a special limited-edition bonus DVD featuring classic performance footage from O-Genio:
Ray Charles Live In Brazil 1963. The DVD captures Charles performing "Don't Set Me Free" and "Carry Me Back To Old Virginny."
MORE MUSIC FROM RAY (Atlantic/Rhino/WMG Soundtracks) will be available February 1, 2005, at all retail outlets and at www.rhino.com for a suggested retail price of $18.98.
Ray is the never-before-told musical biographical drama of American legend Ray Charles, who died June 10, 2004, at the age of 73. Directed by Taylor Hackford and starring
Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles, Ray (Universal Pictures) has grossed more than $70 million since its release on October 29. MORE MUSIC FROM RAY is the third companion audio piece to the film, following the first soundtrack and noted composer
Craig Armstrong's score.
Personally involved with the film, Charles recorded the new versions of "Drown In My Own Tears"/"
You Don't Know Me" and "Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand" in 2002 and 2003, respectively. The soundtrack includes tracks from the musical pioneer's early albums for Atlantic Records - including Yes Indeed!, What'd I Say, and The Genius Sings The Blues -- as well as such '60s releases for ABC/Paramount as Crying Time.
Featuring a remarkable performance from
Jamie Foxx in the central role, Ray follows the inspiring story of a one-of-kind genius.
Born in a poor town in Georgia,
Ray Charles went blind at the age of seven shortly after witnessing his younger brother's accidental death. Inspired by a fiercely independent mother who insisted he make his own way in the world, Charles found his calling and his gift behind a piano keyboard. Touring across the Southern musical circuit, the soulful singer gained a reputation and then exploded with worldwide fame when he pioneered incorporating gospel, country, jazz, and orchestral influences into his inimitable style.
As he revolutionized the way people appreciated music, he simultaneously fought segregation in the very clubs that launched him and championed artists' rights within the corporate music business. Ray provides an unflinching portrait of Charles' musical genius as he overcomes drug addiction while transforming into one of this country's most beloved performers.
Ray is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Taylor Hackford (An Officer And A Gentleman); screenplay by
James L. White, from a story by Hackford and White; and produced by Hackford,
Stuart Benjamin,
Howard Baldwin, and
Karen Baldwin.
"My 15-year relationship with him, gave me a deep personal understanding and importance of what he gave to all of us," says Ray film and soundtrack producer,
Stuart Benjamin.
Charles was recently awarded the prestigious "President's Merit Award" from the Grammy organization by its president, Neil Portnow, just prior to the 2004 Grammy Awards, and was named a City of Los Angeles "Cultural Treasure" by Mayor
James Hahn during "African American Heritage Month" in February.
He also received the NAACP Image Awards' "Hall of Fame Award" on March 6.
In addition to multiple Grammy Awards, including one for Lifetime Achievement, Charles is also one of the original inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a recipient of the Presidential Medal for the Arts, France's Legion of Honor, and the Kennedy Center Honors.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum (www.rockhall.com) is currently hosting an exhibit on the entertainer, "The Genius of Ray Charles," that runs through Summer 2005.
Track listing for MORE MUSIC FROM RAY CD:
1. "Leave My Woman Alone"
2. "Lonely Avenue"
3. "Rockhouse Parts 1 & 2"
4. "I Believe To My Soul"
5. "Losing Hand"
6. "
I'm Movin' On"
7. "But On The Other Hand Baby"
8. "
Baby, It's Cold Outside" (with Betty Carter)
9. "The Danger Zone"
10. "
Busted"
11. "Makin' Whoopee"
12. "Let's Go Get Stoned"
13. "Drifting Blues"
14. "Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand"
15. "Drown In My Own Tears/You Don't Know Me"
16. "Every Day I Have The Blues" (new recording for the film by Chris
Thomas King)
17. "
America The Beautiful"
O-GENIO: RAY CHARLES LIVE IN BRAZIL 1963 DVD SELECTIONS:
1. "Don't Set Me Free"
2. "Carry Me Back To Old Virginny."
