I thought I'd dedicate this post to one of the campaigns I support, the Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur.
Before you stop reading I have no intention of lecturing you on the situation in Darfur. So you can read on safe in the knowledge I won't be mentioning the state-run genocide that has destroyed one country and risks dragging neighbouring countries into the conflict. You certainly won't learn anything about the two million people forced into refugee camps. Nor will I bring up the estimated 200,000 people who have died in the genocide. And so you can sleep peacefully at night, I won't even wax lyrical about the awful abuse of women and the use of rape as a tool of war. This is a music review site after all.
Darfur pops in and out of the UK media and I assume it gets a mention in the USA so you'll all be well-versed in the matter. However, if you want to know more about the situation then I suggest a good starting point is the BBC Q&A.
Regardless of your opinions on mixing politics and music, this album is full of little treasures combining the songwriting genius of John Lennon with the vocal stylings of some of my favourite contemporary artists including Regina Spektor, The Flaming Lips, Postal Service, Jack Johnson, Snow Patrol, U2, REM and Christina Aguilera. Ok so I am not a fan of Aguilera.
My personal favourites include the smooth and sexy sound of Youssou N'Dour singing "Jealous Guy" and a rather funky rendition by Aerosmith with Sierra Leone Refuge All-Stars of "Give Peace a Chance".
Recently a truck load of albums with a similar setup to this one have been released sans the political campaign. The list includes albums covering the songs of the likes of Joni Mitchell, the Beach Boys, Leonard Cohen and Daniel Johnston. All of them featured some musical gems and some all out failures.
With that in mind, this album is surprisingly good. It is designed to cater to the masses but that doesn't stop it containing some interesting takes on the back catalogue of John Lennon. Even if you couldn't give a damn about Darfur, this album is still a great purchase. Even better for those of you looking to gain some redemption for a life timing of sinning then this is guaranteed to give you some instant good karma (Sorry, I couldn't resist).
Seriously though, the situation in Dafur is fucked up and completely preventable. If you do one thing today, check out the Instant Karma website for advice on how you can help with the campaign - Ryan
Before you stop reading I have no intention of lecturing you on the situation in Darfur. So you can read on safe in the knowledge I won't be mentioning the state-run genocide that has destroyed one country and risks dragging neighbouring countries into the conflict. You certainly won't learn anything about the two million people forced into refugee camps. Nor will I bring up the estimated 200,000 people who have died in the genocide. And so you can sleep peacefully at night, I won't even wax lyrical about the awful abuse of women and the use of rape as a tool of war. This is a music review site after all.
Darfur pops in and out of the UK media and I assume it gets a mention in the USA so you'll all be well-versed in the matter. However, if you want to know more about the situation then I suggest a good starting point is the BBC Q&A.
Regardless of your opinions on mixing politics and music, this album is full of little treasures combining the songwriting genius of John Lennon with the vocal stylings of some of my favourite contemporary artists including Regina Spektor, The Flaming Lips, Postal Service, Jack Johnson, Snow Patrol, U2, REM and Christina Aguilera. Ok so I am not a fan of Aguilera.
My personal favourites include the smooth and sexy sound of Youssou N'Dour singing "Jealous Guy" and a rather funky rendition by Aerosmith with Sierra Leone Refuge All-Stars of "Give Peace a Chance".
Recently a truck load of albums with a similar setup to this one have been released sans the political campaign. The list includes albums covering the songs of the likes of Joni Mitchell, the Beach Boys, Leonard Cohen and Daniel Johnston. All of them featured some musical gems and some all out failures.
With that in mind, this album is surprisingly good. It is designed to cater to the masses but that doesn't stop it containing some interesting takes on the back catalogue of John Lennon. Even if you couldn't give a damn about Darfur, this album is still a great purchase. Even better for those of you looking to gain some redemption for a life timing of sinning then this is guaranteed to give you some instant good karma (Sorry, I couldn't resist).
Seriously though, the situation in Dafur is fucked up and completely preventable. If you do one thing today, check out the Instant Karma website for advice on how you can help with the campaign - Ryan
