Come together and listen (Hurricane Relief: Come Together Now)

Member Name: Lakerfanster

Product:	Hurricane Relief: Come Together Now
Date:	09/10/09 (74 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great range, top tracks

Disadvantages: Coldplay

**Introduction**

This album was released as a charity tribute album after the massive devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans in August 2005. Over the years there have been many charity singles to raise money for a relief fund or just a charity single but there have not been as many full scale albums like this one. "Hurricane Relief: Come Together Now" is the title of a charity album which features a mix of new recordings and pre released tracks from artists who support the charity. I requested this album on dooyoo a few months ago but as it's a double album featuring 35 tracks I really wanted to write a review that did justice to each track.

**Come Together Now**

After the massive mark that Hurricane Katrina left on the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. Some of the biggest names in the world of music set about writing and recording for a charity album Which would raise money for The American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity and MusiCares Hurricane Relief 2005. All artists appearing on the album lent their services for free and the result is a double disc collection of new and old songs which the many artists have recorded.

**The Album**

Disc: 1

"Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?" - 5:04 - Louis Armstrong.

This track gets things under-way with an old classic from 1947. I much prefer this Louis to his "What a wonderful world". This track is in stark contrast to much of the other material on this album and gets things off to a decent start.

"Let Your Light Shine" - 4:26 - R. Kelly

This is a very impressive ballad from R Kelly. He has recorded so many inspiring songs like this and this one talks directly to the people of New Orleans to rise above it and be strong and things will go your way. This track was very well received by survivors of the Hurricane which led to over 1,500 people losing their life.

"Precious Lord, Take My Hand" - 3:26 - Faith Hill

This is a bluesy track which is a change to Faith Hill's usual country style but we know she can belt them out after her classic in Pearl Harbor. This is a very good track indeed and her emotive vocal performance really does this song justice.

"Heart So Heavy" - 4:58 - John Mayer, Aaron Neville

This combines two very special talents, John Mayer's guitar strums in the opening parts and Aaron Neville comes in with his incredibly distinctive vocal. This is a special collaboration from these two artists. I really love the way they sing the chorus together softly but very effectively.

"City Beneath The Sea" - 5:58 - Harry Connick, Jr.

This is one of the best tracks I have heard from Harry and has a great Jazz flow, His voice sounds much better than usual and this is another fine song. This track featured on his 1996 album Star Turtle. This is probably his best song I have heard.

"Ay-TeTe Fee" - 1:53 - Clifton Chenier

This short track has a very french feel to it and it is absolutely the sort of music you would hear if you were walking down a street in New Orleans. You could not have a tribute without having something like this that is New Orleans personified.

"Moon Over Bourbon Street" (live) - 4:56 - Sting, Chris Botti

It's fair to say that Bourbon Street is one of the most famous streets in the world and this collaboration between Sting and Chris Botti pays tribute to the home of Jazz. Chris Botti's vocal is very strange on this track. He sounds drunk.

"Heart of America" - 4:14 - Eric Benét, Michael McDonald, Wynonna Judd, Terry Dexter

This is a great collaboration, This track is another inspiring song which is a call to Americans to stand together as one to help mend the lifes of people who were affected in the Hurricane Katrina tragedy. Eric and Michael are superb on this track and Judd is rather good too.

"By Faith" - 4:39 - Diddy, Fred Hammond

This interesting collaboration blends one of hip hop's pioneers with one of Gospel's pioneer's to create a very catchy track which works rather well. Diddy starts off and then Hammond comes in with his distinctive vocal. This is an impressive collaboration that works surprisingly well.

"Early In The Morning" (80th Session Alternate Version) - 3:58 - B.B. King

This is a fabulous performance from BB King of this great track. He may be in his 80's but he shows he is still an extraordinary guitarist and his voice is still there. This is a fabulous tribute.

"Fix You" (live) - 6:03 - Coldplay

This is the first bad song on the album and This is one of most annoying Coldplay songs, they have loads!!!. Why on earth was this turd put with all the great tracks on this album??? I hate Coldplay and this really does not deserve to be on the album.

"When The Levee Broke" - 5:43 - Clint Black

This is a great blues track from Clint Black who I had not heard of but will have to check out. I love the music on this track and his country blues vocal adds character to the song. This is a very impressive track indeed and a great tribute.

"Tears In Heaven" - 4:20 - Various Artists

When I heard that there was a cover of Eric Clapton's classic "Tears In Heaven" I approached with some caution given what Damage did to "Wonderful Tonight" some years ago now. Having heard this version now I am quite pleased. It opens with Elton John and also features Rod Stewart, Steven Tyler, Josh Groban, Gwen Stefani, Ozzy Osbourne, Kelly Osbourne, Andrea Bocelli, Katie Melua and Mary J. Blige. Slash appears on guitar. This track would be brilliant if Ozzy and Kelly were not on it.

"Believe" (Acoustic Summer 2004) - 4:30 - Lenny Kravitz

Next up is one of the best from Lenny Kravitz. This is a lovely acoustic version which shows Kravitz at his rare best. This is a tender track with his vocals recorded perfectly. This is another inspiring song on the album about believing in yourself and the ability to get over your problems.

"Blue And Green" - 5:39 - Van Morrison

I am not the biggest fan of Van Morrison, I leave that to my Mother but I have to say that this a rather decent track from "Van The Man". His voice is consistent and the guitarist does a good job. This is one of the best Van Morrison songs I have heard because his voice is actually consistent.

"Mardi Gras In New Orleans" - 2:51 - Professor Longhair

This is a very catchy slice of Jazz. I suppose this is included to keep the spirits up with an up tempo musical feast. This has an impressive flow and some good musicianship but is a little short for this type of thing In my opinion. I prefer the longer Jazz standards.

"Born On The Bayou" (live) - 4:17 - John Fogerty

This concludes the first disc of this double album. This is a rather rousing live performance from John Fogerty. The orignal was released in 1969 but this live performance would not make you think it was that old. This is a very impressive performance.

Disc: 2

"Any Other Day" - 4:14 - Norah Jones, Wyclef Jean

This is another interesting collaboration. Wyclef plays a nice piece on the guitar alongside Norah Jones' sweet emotive vocals backed by the catchy beat. This is a laid back summery track which has a great flow. A good start to the second disc.

"I Will Not Be Broken" - 3:29 - Bonnie Raitt

One of the best female "white soul" vocalists in my opinion. This is a live version of "I Will not be broken". This is a very strong track, even though it's not her best, it is still a very decent track that adds to this double album. Good stuff.

"People Get Ready" - 2:38 - Rod Stewart, Jerry Lawson, Talk Of The Town

This is one of the best tracks from The Impressions and is wonderfully covered here by Rod Stewart along with Jerry Lawson and Talk of the town. Nothing will beat the original due to Curtis Mayfield's awesome delivery but this is a very impressive version on this album.

"We Can Make It Better" - 3:48 - Kanye West, Talib Kweli, Q-Tip, Common, Rhymefest

Even though this track features Kanye West it is a fine track which features an incredible "chipmunk vocal sample". The other performers on this track add a nice touch and despite Kanye West's inclusion this is a very impressive track.

"Try Me" (live) - 2:35 - James Brown

This is one of James Brown's short classics. This is a live version of this track which is dripping with emotion. He will always be missed as one of the greats of Soul for songs like this in particular. Just brilliant stuff all round. Vocals and Music.

"Louisiana Bayou" (live - 09.12.05) - 8:18 - Dave Matthews Band, Robert Randolph

If you have ever heard Robert Randolph you will know he is capable of a rousing performance and that is no different here with a splendid pedal steel guitar performance. This is a really really impressive live performance dripping with New Orleans grit.

"Goin' Back To New Orleans" - 4:09 - Dr. John

This is another impressive track from the second disc. It features Dr. John and his very distinctive vocals backed by some great backing vocals. This has a great melody and is one of the catchiest tracks on the second disc. Good flowing stuff.

"I'm Still Standing" (live, New Orleans April 2001) - 3:17 - Elton John

This is a brilliant live performance of one of Elton's biggest hits, This track has the perfect sentiment for this album and is one of the best on this second disc. This is thee second appearance from Elton John on this two disc collection.

"What Would Jesus Do" - 4:05 - Chris Thomas King

This is a very impressive track with Eric Clapton like guitar. This is a very impressive track with some great bluesy guitar tones. This puts an interesting slant on things. Very good track.

"Alla Luce Del Sole" (live) - 5:47 - Josh Groban, Bela Fleck

This is another live performance and although I am not really a fan of Josh Groban, and had never heard of Bela Fleck this is a pretty good track, it opens with Rodrigo Y Gabriela like guitar and then develops into a very good performance. This has a bit of Santana about it.

"Make A Change" - 3:23 - Black Buddafly

This track sounds similar to a duet between BB Mak and Sugababes but don't let that put you off as this is quite a good track. Like me this will probably be your introduction to Black Buddafly. Good flowing track with good emotive vocals.

"I Believe" - 3:24 - Barbra Streisand

This is a song from 1952 which was written as a song that would offer hope and faith to the populace during the Korean Conflict. This goes well with the aftermath of the Hurricane as it's about belief in things getting better. Good track.

"Love & Mercy" - 2:20 - Brian Wilson

This is an impressive track from Brian Wilson showing he can still put out the beautiful music without The Beach Boys. This is a little short but a lot of Beach Boys songs were quite short anyway, Good little track with a decent vocal performance.

"Coming Out Of The Dark/Always Tomorrow" (acoustic) - 5:16 - Gloria Estefan

This has a very impressive musical feel and Estefan's vocal performance is very decent. This laid back track has a good emotive feel to it and is one of her best that I have heard. Good stuff.

"Brothers" (live) - 5:26 - The Neville Brothers

No not those Neville Brothers!!! but the Neville Brothers as in Aaron and his brothers. This is a brilliant track which shows the vocal talent of the brothers and the music is really good as well. One of the best on this album. This is about brothers staying together.

"After All" (live in New Orleans) - 4:30 - The Winans family

Another family here with the Winans as in Bebe who had a hit with Eternal in the 1990's. This is another impressive track with great emotive vocals from all. This tracks is about sticking together through strife and is one of the best tracks on the album.

"Come Together Now" - 4:35 - Various Artists

This is the first track I heard on this collection and is probably my favourite. This track is about everyone coming together in bad times to help make things right again. This has a great sentiment and some great performers. Below is the list of performers.

It features a very eclectic range of artists including Céline Dion
The Game, JoJo, Jesse McCartney, Nick Carter, A.J. McLean, John Legend,
Joss Stone, Mýa, Gavin DeGraw, Chingy, Wyclef JeanRuben Studdard
Stacie Orrico, Kimberley Locke, Anthony Hamilton, Patti LaBelle
Natalie Cole, Aaron Carter, Brian McKnight, Kelly Price
Angie Stone, Garou, Tren'l, Glenn Lewis, Lee Ryan and R.L. Huggard.

"When The Saints Go Marching Back In" - 4:53 - Kirk Whalum, Coolio, "CZ," Kyle Eastwood, Kyle Whalum, Rod McGaha, Wayman Tisdale

This is a great closer for the album and you may have seen street performers performing this in the streets of New Orleans. This is a hugely popular track which has been covered so many times. This is a great cover version.

**Overall**

This is a brilliant charity album which has some great exclusive music which you may not hear unless you take a listen to this album. There are a couple of bad tracks but the vast majority of superb and the range really is eclectic. Who would ever see Celine Dion perform on a track with The Game???. I highly recommend this album if you like a wide range of music then this could be a great addition to your cd collection and you are giving money to very worthy charities. Great stuff.

Summary: Read review.