Genius Loves Company

Untitled

Genius Loves Company is the final studio album by rhythm and blues and soul musician Ray Charles, released August 31, 2004 posthumously on Concord Records. Recording sessions for the album took place throughout June 2003 to March 2004. The album consists of R&B, country, pop and blues standards performed by Charles and several guest musicians, such as Natalie Cole, Elton John, Norah Jones, B.B. King, Gladys Knight, Diana Krall, Van Morrison, Willie Nelson and Bonnie Raitt. Genius Loves Company was the last album recorded and completed by Charles before his death in June 2004.

The album was produced as a collaboration of Concord Records and Hear Music, the record label owned by the coffee chain Starbucks. It served as the first original non-compilation release by Hear Music, as well as one of Ray Charles' most commercially successful albums. On February 2, 2005, Genius Loves Company was certified triple-platinum in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America following sales of over three million copies in the United States.

Reception

Commercial performance

The release of Genius Loves Company was preceded by a period of mostly mediocre LP releases by Charles and critical slide after the massive success of his 1962 crossover opus Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music. Genius Loves Company proved to be a comeback success, in terms of sales and critical response, quickly becoming Charles' first top-10 album in forty years and the best-selling record of his career. The release of Genius Loves Company served as Charles' two-hundred fiftieth of his recording career, as well as his last recorded effort before his death on June 10, 2004.

Within its first week of release, the album sold over 200,000 copies in the United States alone, while it debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 chart, eventually ascending to #1 on March 05, 2005. Genius Loves Company also received a significant amount of airplay on jazz, blues, R&B, urban contemporary and country radio stations, as well as critical praise from well-known publications and music outlets. By the first month of its release, the album had shipped over two million copies in the United States and shipped more than three million worldwide, receiving gold, silver and platinum certifications across North America, Europe and several other regions. The massive commercial success of the album (over 5.5 million copies were sold worldwide up to 2007) was attributed in part to it being distributed and promoted via Starbucks coffeehouses, as well as the distribution and marketing relationship between Concord Records and the Starbucks Hear Music label. The Starbucks Coffee Company proved to be singularly responsible for nearly thirty-percent of the total domestic sales of the album. Following several certifications of gold, platinum and multi-platinum in the United States during the fall of 2004, Genius Loves Company earned a triple-platinum sales certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on February 2, 2005.

Grammy Awards

In December 2004, announcements were made that the album had earned ten Grammy Award nominations. At the 47th Grammy Awards on February 13, 2005, Genius Loves Company lead the annual ceremony with a total of eight awards, including Album of the Year, while its hit single "Here We Go Again" won a Grammy Award for Record of the Year. Awards won are as listed below:

• 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)

Track listing

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

Chart history

Album

Chart (2004)	Peak position
Billboard 200	1
Top Canadian Albums	1
Top Internet Albums	1
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums	4
UK Albums Chart	18

Singles

Year	Single	Peak positions
		Adult Contemporary
2004	"You Don't Know Me"	21

Personnel

• John Acevedo Viola
• John Acosta Cello
• Sai Ly Acosta Violin
• Tawatha Agee Vocals, Singer
• Abbey Anna Design, Design Consultant
• Miguel Atwood-Ferguson Viola
• Briana Bandy Viola
• Rick Baptist Trumpet
• Michael Bearden Keyboards
• Leanne Becknell Oboe
• Brian Benning Violin
• Brian Bennison Copyist
• Robert Berg Viola
• Wayne Bergeron Trumpet
• David Blumberg Arranger, String Arrangements
• Charles Boito Clarinet
• Reverend Dave Boruff Saxophone
• Ray Brinker Drums
• Raymond Brinker Drums
• Leslie Brown Violin
• John Burk Producer, Liner Notes, Executive Producer
• James Chip Burney Choir, Chorus
• Rosemary Butler Choir, Chorus
• Kristy Cameron Design
• Ray Charles Piano, Keyboards, Author
• Daphne Chen Violin
• Elenore Choate Harp
• Tim Christensen Double Bass
• Ronald Clark Violin
• Janey Clewer Choir, Chorus
• Reginald Clews Violin
• Natalie Cole Author, Guest Appearance
• Mark Converse Percussion
• Larry Corbett Cello
• Franklyn d'Antonio Violin
• Charlie Davis Trumpet
• Jill Dell'Abate Production Coordination
• Greg Dennon Assistant Engineer
• Joel Derouin Violin
• Ken Desantis Assistant Engineer
• Steve Deutsch Digital Editing
• George Doering Guitar
• Assa Dori Concert Master
• Kevin Dorsey Choir, Chorus
• Assa Drori Concert Master
• DeAnte Duckett Choir, Chorus
• Chris Dunn A&R
• Clydene Jackson Edwards Choir, Chorus
• Michael Eleopoulos Assistant Engineer
• Alan Ellsworth Violin
• Alicia Engley Violin
• Charles Everett Violin
• Dennis Farias Trumpet
• Charles Fearing Guitar
• Andrew Felluss Assistant Engineer
• Robert Fernandez Engineer
• Brandon Fields Saxophone, Sax (Baritone)
• Kirstin Fife Violin
• Stefanie Fife Cello
• Mark Fleming Engineer

• Ronald Folsom Violin
• Samuel Formicola Viola
• Bruce Fowler Trombone
• Tom Fowler Bass
• Walt Fowler Trumpet
• James Gadson Drums
• Armen Garabedian Violin
• Berj Garabedian Violin
• Steve Genewick Assistant Engineer, Assistant
• Jim Gilstrap Choir, Chorus
• Suzanna Giordono Viola
• Gary Grant Trumpet
• Nick Grant Violin
• Keith Gretlein Assistant Engineer
• Ken Gruberman Copyist
• Amy Wickman Guerra Violin
• Robert Hadley Mastering
• Larry Hall Trumpet
• Trevor Handy Cello
• John Harris Engineer
• David Hayes Bass
• Xiao Niu He Violin
• Trey Henry Bass, Double Bass
• Scott Higgins Tympani [Timpani]
• Gerry Hilera Violin
• Mary Hogan A&R
• Matt Holland Trumpet
• Terry Howard Producer, Engineer
• Greg Huckins Flute
• Alexander Isles Trombone
• Danny Jacob Guitar
• John Jennings Photography
• Elton John Author, Guest Appearance
• Bashiri Johnson Percussion
• Norah Jones Piano, Author, Guest Appearance
• Tony Kadleck Trumpet
• Hardi Kamsani Assistant Engineer
• Pete Karam Engineer
• Suzie Katayama Cello
• Leslie Brown Katz Violin
• Bill Kaylor Assistant Engineer
• Jim Keltner Drums
• Jaroslav Kettner Violin
• Jeff Kievit Trumpet
• David Kilbride Violin
• B.B. King Guitar, Author, Guest Appearance
• Gladys Knight Author, Guest Appearance
• Raymond Kobler Violin
• Diana Krall Author, Guest Appearance
• Irvin (Magic) Kramer Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm)
• Johana Krejci Violin
• John Krovoza Cello
• Armen Ksadjikian Cello
• Steve Kujala Flute
• Lisa Laarman Creative Director
• Abraham Laboriel Bass
• Abrahan Laboriel, Sr. Bass
• Michael Landau Guitar
• Timothy Landauer Cello
• Songa Lee Violin

• Tricia Lee Violin
• David R. Legry Liner Notes
• Martha Lippi Cello
• Irene Madison Choir, Chorus
• Paul Manaster Violin
• Shawn Mann Viola
• George Marinelli Guitar, Photography
• Don Markese Clarinet
• Edith Markman Violin
• Michael Markman Violin
• Andrew Martin Trombone
• Fred Martin & the Levite Camp Choir, Chorus
• Fred Martin Choir, Chorus
• Rob Mathes Conductor
• Johnny "Country" Mathis Author, Guest Appearance
• Robert Matsuda Violin
• Bob McChesney Trombone
• Clarence McDonald Piano, Arranger
• Michael McDonald Author
• Michael McDonald Keyboards, Author, Guest Appearance
• Joe Meyer French Horn
• Alethea Mills Choir, Chorus
• Jeff Mironov Guitar
• John Mitchell J. Bassoon
• Don Mizell Producer
• Dennis Molchan Violin
• Suzette Moriarty French Horn
• Charlie Morillas Trombone
• Horia Moroaica Violin
• Chavonne Morris Choir, Chorus
• Seven Morris Choir, Chorus
• Van Morrison Author, Guest Appearance
• Joel Moss Engineer
• Jennifer Munday Violin
• Vitaliano Napolitano Photography
• Willie Nelson Guitar, Author, Guest Appearance
• Maria Newman Viola
• Aminah Ofumbi Choir, Chorus
• Igor Pandurski Violin
• Alan Pasqua Piano
• Todor Pelev Violin
• Shawn Pelton Drums
• Edward Persi Viola
• Robert Peterson Concert Master
• Casey Phariss Assistant Engineer
• Darryl Phinnessee Choir, Chorus
• Andrew Picken Viola
• Charles Pillow Sax (Tenor)
• Vladimir Polimatidi Violin
• Seth Presant Digital Editing
• Billy Preston Organ (Hammond)
• Bonnie Raitt Slide Guitar, Author, Guest Appearance
• Phil Ramone Producer
• Shanti Randall Viola
• Steve Richarads Cello
• Michele Richards Violin
• Steve Richards Cello
• David Riddles Bassoon
• Carolyn Riley Viola
• Kathleen Robertson Violin

• John "4 Daddman" Robinson Drums
• Julie Rogers Violin
• Anatoly Rosinsky Violin
• Nancy Roth Violin
• Robert Sanders Trombone
• Tom Saviano Saxophone
• Doug Sax Mastering
• Kenny Scharf Trumpet
• Al Schmidt Mixing
• Al Schmitt Engineer, Mixing, String Engineer
• Norman Seeff Photography
• Richard Shaw Double Bass
• Bob Shepard Saxophone
• Dennis Shirley Photography
• Jaime Sickora Assistant Engineer
• Joel Singer Assistant Engineer
• Jamie Siskkora Assistant Engineer
• Patricia Skye French Horn
• Bill Airey Smith Assistant
• Wally Snow Percussion
• Kurt Snyder French Horn
• Joe Soldo Contractor
• Jay Spears Assistant Engineer
• Edmund Stein Violin
• Rudolph Stein Cello
• David Stenske Violin, Viola
• Dave Stone Double Bass
• Joseph Stone Horn (English), Oboe
• James Taylor Author
• James "J.T." Taylor Author, Guest Appearance
• Ed Thacker Engineer
• Vaneese Thomas Vocals, Singer
• Michael Thompson Guitar
• Michael Hart Thompson Guitar
• Fonzi Thornton Vocals, Singer
• Darrell Thorp Assistant Engineer
• Raymond Tischer Viola
• Richard Todd French Horn
• Kevan Torfeh Cello
• Mike Vaccaro Contractor
• David Vanacore Score Assistance
• Victor Vanacore Arranger, Score Assistance
• Karl Vincent Double Bass
• Irina Voloshina Violin
• Randy Waldman Piano, Arranger, Keyboards, Rhythm Arrangements
• David F. Walther Viola
• Herbert Waltl Producer
• Jennifer Walton Violin
• Zheng Wang Violin
• Clarissa Watkins Choir, Chorus
• Dynell Weber Violin
• John West Choir, Chorus
• Ken Wild Double Bass
• Martin Winning Sax (Tenor)
• North Wood Violin
• Terry Woods Choir, Chorus
• Margaret Wooten Violin
• Alwyn Wright Violin
• Phil Yao French Horn
• Ken Yerke Violin
• Yang-Qin Zhao Cello

References

• Nathan Brackett, Christian David Hoard, Christian Hoard (2004). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. excerpt by Douglas Wolk. Simon and Schuster, USA. ISBN 0-743-20169-8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

External links

• Song by song analysis by Ray Charles - CD notes at Discogs.com
• Genius Loves Company : Ray Charles : Concord Music Group