Songs for Tibet
I was supposed to either review NAS or Third day but i chanced upon this week's new releases on itunes and immediately gravitated toward "Songs for Tibet". The likes of Imogen Heap, John Mayer, Dave Matthews, Joan Armatrading etc doing an acoustic/stripped down version of songs for a charity album really popped out at me. Was it a convenient repack of old songs or was it something actually worth listening to? I am glad to report that the album is EXCELLENT. From the very first song, Imogen heap makes her incredible "Hide and Seek" even more ethereal and dreamlike with Tibetan sounding instruments floating behind the melodies. Closing your eyes, you can almost smell the llamas. Intrigued, i skipped Sting ( Sting is so overrated) and went to Alanis's "versions of violence". If you have yet to listen to her new album, this one song is a must try. The version she recorded for this album according to itunes was performed in a pre concert dressing room showcase. It really sounds super organic with an excellent vocal delivery. The original is kinda electro rock but here, this version really highlights the chorus and brings attention to Alanis's lyrical phrasing which is always a delight.
Time for a song break. Enjoy Imgoen's live performance of the song recorded some time ago.
Alright, now we return to more amazing material. John Mayer and Moby immediately follow Alanis with terrific versions of their hit material. I'm especially impressed with Moby who does a stripped version of "We are all made of stars". Slowing down the tempo and re arranging the instrumentation, the song sounds like it belongs on some MTV unplugged 2008. At this point, i must admit i cringed at the next 10 artistes whom i assumed were the "fillers" . I mean it's pretty hard to get excited by the likes of Rush, Joan Armatrading, Ben harper, Teitur etc etc. But this is where i was totally blown away. I actually spent more than an hour listening and re listening to the back 10 songs by artistes i had never given a chance.
Who is Jonatha Brooke? Who is Rupert Hine? I have no idea but I'm gonna find out! Jonatha Brooke's song "Madonna on the curb" is so enchanting and absorbing i hit replay 3 times. When Joan Armatrading sings " In these times, everyone needs love, in these times do you pray to God...Compassion is the fire that burns the hurt ,the pain, the soul" Makes me want to stop by the next busker and drop him 50 cents. here is her music video for the song , do yourself a favour and just soak in the chorus. Classy lady, classy song
The goodies just keep rolling on and i was captivated by Rush's instrumental piece "Hope". I have very very shallow knowledge of Rush and Alex Lifeson is more appealing to me as the guitarist than the band itself but this song is so beautiful i am tempted to go retro and give this old rock band a 2nd listen. ( the song is uploaded in the imeem player, listen to it) There is no lousy song on this entire release and i think the covers/songs really do justice to the overall theme. I believe part proceeds will be going to Tibet in their peace initiatives and whether that means the dalai lama gets a new LV robe is another matter. I'm just ignoring the charity element and focusing on the good tunes. Before i get lynched by rabid Buddhists, let me defend renegade good turned bad monks all over the world by saying this. You take away a man's god given right to meat ...sex... and hair. Clothe him in a dress and poke holes in his head... wait did i mention no sex and no hair? Yes. Well dear readers, what the hell did anyone expect these guys to do except to go a bit looney?? Ditto for priests too..
Let me leave ya with Dave Matthew's brilliant "Where are you going". The version on this album is a "live" performance and it's really fantastic.
