We Are The World:25 for Haiti
If you haven’t heard yet, Lionel Richie got together with Quincy Jones to produce a revised version of the timeless song written by Richie and Michael Jackson and recorded in 1985 by a star-studded chorus to support the recovery efforts of earthquake striken Haiti. The original was recorded for the USA for Africa famine relief effort. The new version is on YouTube and can be downloaded at iTunes with the proceeds going to benefit Haiti relief.
And just like 25 years ago, the rare opportunity was made for a direct comparison… er, I mean compilation of the today’s biggest and best egos… er, I mean talents in the music industry… er, I mean entertainment industry… er, I mean music industry.
Don’t get me wrong. I am all for the effort by all that put this together and I really wish that I could post this up without taking away from their contribution because what they put together still amounts to a whole lot more than just sitting idle and not lending a helping hand. Unfortunately, in the end the fruit of their efforts comes off as a haphazardly thrown together representation of today’s pop music and that culture which it represents.
The list of pop culture representatives is quite comprehensive (1) a YouTube success story – Justin Bieber (who by the way was the only kid that needed a lyric sheet for the recording session); (2) an American Idol finalist – Jennifer Hudson; (3) a country music crossover success – Jennifer Nettles; (4) a Disney tweeny bopper – Miley Cyrus; (5) the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls (they’re a cliche in a league all on their own); (6) auto-tune; and (7) that ever-so-popular out of place, awkward rap bridge.
I must say, though. Littered between the overused cliches and failed vocal imitations, were a few gem performances that remind us of the talented producers who put this together. To name a few, (1) Jennifer Hudson reprising Stevie Wonder; (2) Jennifer Nettles owning Paul Simon’s part; (3) Mary J. Blige as Tina Turner; and (4) Wyclef Jean turning The Boss’ part into an emotional outcry for the people of Haiti. I’m not sure how they pulled it off, but I’ll even admit they somehow even managed to make the awkward rap part work. I’ll just chalk it up as a by product of the talent of LL Cool J and company.
That being said, I’m glad that over 70 celebrities who I’m sure could have easily said they had other things to do were able to get together and jump on the Haiti bandwagon. In the end, the right people end up benefiting from their efforts and that’s what counts.
So get out there and download the complete album from iTunes. Your purchase will go toward supporting those in need in Haiti.
