Genius Loves Company

Infobox Album | Name = Genius Loves Company
Type = Album
Artist = Ray Charles


Released = 2004
Recorded = 2004
Length = N/A
Genre = Soul
Label = Concord/Hear Music
Producer = John Burk, Phil Ramone
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|3|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:judaylk5xpeb link]
*"Rolling Stone" Rating|3|5 [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/raycharles/albums/album/6223548/review/6449603/genius_loves_company link]
Last album = "Strong Love Affair"
(1996)
This album = "Genius Loves Company"
(2004)
Next album = "Genius & Friends"
(2005)

"Genius Loves Company" is a 2004 album by Ray Charles, consisting of duets between Charles and musicians. The contributing artists were personally chosen by Ray Charles. It was the last album he completed before his death. It debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200, later ascending to #1. At the Grammys on February 13, 2005, it won eight awards, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year for the song "Here We Go Again".

"Genius Loves Company" was produced as a collaboration of Concord Records and Hear Music, the music label of the coffee chain Starbucks.Rick VanderKnyff: " [http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/invest/extra/P109673.asp Genius Loves Company] " MSN Money, 2/16/2005] It was the first original (non-compilation) release by Hear Music.The great commercial success of the album (over 5.5 million copies were sold worldwide up to 2007 [Susan Chandler: " [http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-070318starbucks-perspective,1,6347038.story?page=2 Beyond the coffee market. Starbucks becomes an influential cultural tastemaker] " Chicago Tribune, March 18, 2007] ) has been attributed in part to it being distributed and promoted via Starbucks coffeehouses.

Track listing

#"Here We Go Again" with Norah Jones (Lanier/Red Steagall) – 3:59
#"Sweet Potato Pie" with James Taylor (Taylor) – 3:47
#"You Don't Know Me" with Diana Krall (Arnold/Walker) – 3:55
#"Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" with Elton John (John/Taupin) – 3:59
#"Fever" with Natalie Cole (Cooley/Davenport) – 3:30
#"Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?" with Bonnie Raitt (Burnette/Smotherman) – 4:34
#"It Was a Very Good Year" with Willie Nelson (Drake) – 4:59
#"Hey Girl" with Michael McDonald (Gerry Goffin/Carole King) – 5:15
#"Sinner's Prayer" with B.B.King (Fulson/Glenn) – 4:25
#"Heaven Help Us All" with Gladys Knight (Miller) – 4:32
#"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" with Johnny Mathis (Arlen/Harburg) – 4:54
#"Crazy Love" with Van Morrison (Morrison) – 3:42

Chart positions

Grammy Awards

*Record of the Year: John Burk (producer), Terry Howard, Al Schmitt (engineers/mixers), Ray Charles & Norah Jones for "Here We Go Again"
*Album of the Year: John Burk, Don Mizell, Phil Ramone, Herbert Waltl (producers), Terry Howard (producer & engineer/mixer), Robert Fernandez, John Harris, Pete Karam, Joel Moss, Seth Presant, Al Schmitt, Ed Thacker (engineers/mixers), Robert Hadley, Doug Sax (mastering engineers)
*Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s): Victor Vanacore (arranger) for "Over the Rainbow" performed by Ray Charles & Johnny Mathis
*Best Gospel Performance: Ray Charles & Gladys Knight for "Heaven Help Us All"
*Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals: Ray Charles and Norah Jones for "Here We Go Again"
*Best Pop Vocal Album: Ray Charles and various artists
*Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical: Robert Fernandez, John Harris, Terry Howard, Pete Karam, Joel Moss, Seth Presant, Al Schmitt & Ed Thacker (engineers)
*Best Surround Sound Album: Al Schmitt (surround mix engineer), Robert Hadley & Doug Sax (surround mastering)

References

External links

* [http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/c/charlesray-genius.shtml PopMatters review of album]