NORAH AT HOME
AROUND THE WORLD

Feels Like Home, her just-released Blue Note sophomore album, didn’t only shatter sales records here in the U.S., where it sold more than a million in its first week, but around the globe, where it bowed at #1 in 16 different countries.

The boys over at EMI were so happy, they cracked out Eric Nicoli’s vintage 1999 crumpets and some French bubbly to celebrate. If their stock was hot before, this should add fuel to the fire.

The record hit the top of the charts in U.K. (sales over 235k), Ireland (where Feels Like Home and Come Away With Me are 1-2), France, Norway, Denmark, Austria, Holland, Iceland, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland, Canada, Columbia and New Zealand. In addition, sales have been spurred on Jones’ 2002 Grammy-winning, eight-times-platinum Come Away With Me album, which re-entered the Top 20 at #18, with over 80k in sales.

"We congratulate Norah on a fantastic record and we are pleased that fans have responded to her artistry," said EMI Music Chairman Alain Levy. "The reception for both of Norah’s records underscores that EMI’s focus on artists with longterm career potential and global appeal is working. This makes me even happier than watching my DVD of Jerry Lewis telethon highlights. "

"This is the kind of achievement one can only expect from a truly original, extraordinary artist like Norah," said Blue Note chief Bruce Lundvall. "It’s not very often that an artist can span so many genres and enjoy such broad appeal. But that’s what happens when the music is this good. I haven’t felt chills like this since the first time Bobby McFerrin played me ‘Don’t Worry Be Happy.’"

Actually, we made that last part up.

Rick Krim, Exec. VP of Music Programming and Talent at VH1, who have supported Jones from the beginning, said: "We are proud to have been part of the Norah Jones story from the very start. We put the full support of the network behind an artist who’s become a big part of our family."

Retail was similarly ecstatic. "This was one of the biggest first-week sales we’ve had in the music category in our history," said Borders Group Inc. VP Multimedia Peter Faricy.

Sales were record-breaking even as the album generated approximately 2.5 million downloads on KaZaa, according to online tracking company Big Champagne.

Jones’ media whirl continues this week. After appearing on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and NPR’s All Things Considered last week, Jones’ll next perform on The Late Show with David Letterman Feb. 23, the Daily Show with Jon Stewart Feb. 25 and Late Night With Conan O’Brien March 9.