September 2004 - Platinum Europe Awards

October 5, 2004

This month's list of albums that receive European Platinum Award recognition feature a follow-up album and a singles collection that both achieve their first award, a poignant classic that receives its second, and a debut instant classic which claims its sixth award.

With their blend of new wave and ska, No Doubt have a fantastic collection of singles that have been released during their twelve year history. The Singles Collection not only covers their ska roots, but also highlights their love of punk, pop and reggae. Containing hits such as Just A Girl, Don't Speak and a version of Talk Talk's It's My Life, No Doubt are set-apart from their peers by their charismatic lead singer Gwen Stefani whose feisty persona is a focal point of the band - in fact Stefani will be releasing her debut solo album next month.

Philosophical rambling geezer, Mike Skinner, aka The Streets, has followed up an acclaimed debut with a second album consisting of more day to day scenarios. A Grand Don't Come for Free, a complete narrative in album form, charts the story of a hapless character who loses a grand and his girlfriend, and inhabits a world of poor mobile reception, broken TVs and beer-fuelled path of destruction. Containing tragedy and heartbreak as much as humour, A Grand Don't Come for Free commands attentive listening and gains Mark Skinner his first Platinum Europe Award.

Despite only living to the age of thirty-three Eva Cassidy left a legacy rich in depth and talent. Receiving its second Platinum Europe Award, Songbird is a posthumous anthology compiled from three albums that were largely unrecognised during Eva's lifetime. This set of diverse offerings contains a pop cover of Sting's Fields of Gold, a jazzy rendition of Autumn Leaves, a soulful version of Curtis Mayfield's People Get Ready and a gospel delivery of Oh, Had I a Golden Thread.

Since the release of her Blue Note album Come Away With Me in February 2002, Norah Jones has won a plethora of Grammy's and a legion of fans. The Brooklyn-based artist has sung and played piano professionally since her teens and this debut album reveals her estimable skills as a songwriter, singer and arranger. Come Away With Me deservedly receives its sixth Platinum award, joining an elite group of Platinum Europe-winning artists' albums that have achieved sales of five million or more.

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