America - A Tribute to Heroes (2001)

It's Too Bad People Can't Remember This Feeling Today

A 9/11 program to try to heal a nation. Maybe if you watch it today, you'll regain the feelings we all felt when we saw the twin towers fall?

Patriotic! December 10, 2007

a Deeply moving and Heartfelt tribute

I remember watching this telecast thinking America will rise up from the ashes of the 9/11 stronger and more determined to spread the ideals of democracy than ever before. Sadly, due to this horrific event and the panic it caused, Americans have had give up certain freedoms in the name of national security. But that's neither here or there when discussing this stellar concert DVD. Many of the performances are just as powerful and revealing as they were in September of 01'.

Some of the highlights for me are:

Bruce Springsteen - "My City of Ruin"
Beautiful harmonies and classic Springsteen lyrics...full of imagery and faith in humanity.

U2 - "Walk On"
"You got to leave it behind..." Bono at his anthemic best.

Faith Hill - "There Will Come a Day"
One of Mississippi's finest...what a powerful voice. First to use the gospel choir to uplift.

Enrique Iglesias - "Hero"
I know a lot of people dislike/hate this performance, but aside from his dramatic grand gestures, the song is beautiful. I feel like he tried to put a lot of passion into his performance that comes across sometimes as cheesy. Enrique's "Hero" is a lot more geniune than the Mariah "Scary" version. Another good use of the gospel choir.

Billy Joel - "New York State of Mind"
The quintessential New Yorker pledging his allegiance to his beleaguered city. A saxaphone accompanist (Dave Koz, Steve Eisen?) hits the right note for the melancholy performance.

Dixie Chicks - "I Believe in Love"
Natalie Maines sings with a plantive wail and the Chicks harmonies are sad and sweet. Martie Seidel's fiddle is a fine 6th man.

Dave Matthews - "Everyday"
One man, one voice, one guitar. "All you need is love"...indeed.

Bon Jovi - "Livin' On a Prayer"
I always liked this song but after this performance I LOVE this song, Bon Jovi's arrangement is excellent, Jon Bon Jovi vocals were inspired along with the great musicianship as well. Also another awesome violin accompaniment. Bon Jovi did Jersey proud.

All in all this is a outstanding concert DVD to own, although the tone is relective and somber, it is ultimately hopeful as well. November 25, 2007

Remember!

We all watched this!! Now I can watch and NEVER forget the people
to whom this makes tribute!! March 28, 2007

An appropriate and well-performed tribute.

I'm a New Yorker who witnessed the 9/11 attacks first-hand, and experienced the aftermath. I watched this tribute live when it first aired and I felt at that time that it was very respectfully produced, with some standout performances and very little in the way of "marketing" or promotion going on from any of the performers (with a few exceptions), as there so often is in these kinds of compilations.

The performance I remember most is actually U2's rendition of "Peace On Earth/Walk On", at which point during the live telecast I admit that I completely lost it. There were other moving performances but this is the one that affected me, and the one that I remember - not only is the version on this DVD better than what was recorded on their CD "All That You Can't Leave Behind", the lyrics summed up the whole experience perfectly for me, and it was obvious that U2 as a band was deeply moved by the experience themselves. The montage set to their song "One" also greatly affected me, although this was not a live performance.

As a tribute, this is probably the best that anyone could have done - the music is varied and the performances generally very good, and the tone is right given how close it was to 9/11. For me, it's a must-have reminder of that day, as I consider it part of my experience of going through 9/11's aftermath. It was a terrible tragedy but it's not one that we should forget. December 2, 2004

A somber time capsule with great performances

Although this DVD is almost two hours long, it seems to end too fast.

An all star cast of celebrities weave stories which capture the tragedy, courage & heroism of September 11, 2001 in between a number of great musical performances. Although it's presented in a telethon format, this is a very touching concert and tribute.

The brief stories, which are both tragic and inspirational will bring tears to your eyes while the musical performances are delivered with a somber intensity which vividly captures the essence of the mood of America during this very difficult time.

The musical performances are just awesome. Most of the artists reworked their songs just for this telethon and the result is a creatively touching musical tribute.
October 26, 2004

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