IFPI Platinum Europe - Certifications for July/August 2005
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July and August have seen albums from four international artists honoured with Platinum Europe Awards.
Gorillaz' Demon Days - which includes their first UK No.1 single Dare - has sold over one million copies across 19 countries in Europe since its May release, and achieved its first Platinum Europe Award. It is the second studio album from the virtual group made up of Noodle, 2D, Murdoc and Russel. Co-produced by Gorillaz/Damon Albarn and Danger Mouse and recorded at the band's own Kong Studios, the album features an impressive and eclectic list of collaborators including De La Soul, Shaun Ryder, Ike Turner, Dennis Hopper, MF Doom and the London Community Gospel Choir.
James Blunt recently topped both the UK single and album charts in August for five weeks in a row, a double entry not achieved since Celine Dion in 1995. His 2004 million-selling debut album Back To Bedlam, which is awarded a first Platinum Europe Award, features singles High, Wise Men and the UK No.1 hit You're Beautiful. Blunt, an ex soldier from a military family, wrote one of the tracks No Bravery, while part of the peacekeeping forces in Kosovo. Leaving the army in 2002 to become a full time singer, he was signed to Atlantic/Warner in 2004.
Singer Lorie, described as the French Britney, has achieved a first Platinum Europe Award for her second studio album Tendrement, released in 2002. The 23-year-old won Best French Pop/Rock Female Artist at the 2003 World Music Awards, with her French-language tracks proving a hit around the world. The young singer quickly rose to dominate the French pop scene when she landed a record deal after independently releasing her first unpublished single online.
Fellow French artist, Johnny Hallyday, has picked up a double Platinum Europe Award for his 1999 release Sang Pour Sang. Enduringly popular in his home country, Hallyday has been recording music since the 1960s and has sold over 100 million records worldwide. His other albums that have achieved a PEA include Lorada Tour, and his latest release from 2002 A La Vie, A La Mort.
