Nominations were announced this week for the 77th annual Academy Awards, and Ray, the never-before-told musical biographical drama of 12-time Grammy-winner Ray Charles, was among the most honored motion pictures of the year with six citations. The film garnered nominations for Best Picture, Actor, Director, Costume Design, Film Editing, and Sound Mixing.
Jamie Foxx was a rare double nominee, collecting a Best Supporting Actor nod (for Collateral) as well as a Best Actor nomination for his work in the title role of Ray. Foxx recently won a Golden Globe award for his performance as Brother Ray, making him one of the favorites in the acting category. And Taylor Hackford’s nomination as Best Director was a well-deserved recognition of his years of work developing the film – a true passion project.
Blind from the age of seven, Ray Charles was inspired by a fiercely independent mother who insisted he make his own way in the world. He found his calling behind a piano keyboard, touring across the Southern musical circuit, where the soulful singer gained a strong reputation before finding worldwide fame. His unique mix of gospel, country, jazz, and orchestral influences revolutionized the way people appreciated music, but along the way he had to fight segregation in the very clubs that launched him. 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 Charles passed away last summer at the age of 73 a few months before the premiere of Ray. But The Genius Of Soul had been closely involved with the production of the film throughout its long journey to the screen. In particular, Charles supervised the music selected for the movie – even rerecording a couple of his classic tunes for the soundtrack.
Rhino is home to Ray’s catalog, so this motion picture soundtrack was a natural for us. The latest volume, More Music From Ray, is due in early February and features versions of “Drown In My Own Tears”/“You Don’t Know Me” and “Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand” that Charles cut in 2002 and 2003 especially for the movie. The new CD follows a disc of Craig Armstrong’s score for the film, and our original Ray soundtrack collection, which has already been certified Gold.
Tune in to ABC-TV on Sunday night, February 27th to see who takes home the coveted Oscar statuettes!
Photos: Nicola Goode/courtesy of Universal Studios
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