Various Artists - America: A Tribute to Heroes

Organized and aired within days of the September 11 attacks, the fundraising telethon documented here was as remarkable for its subdued sincerity as for its unity of purpose. This double-disc anthology presents the diverse musical content of the broadcast in the order it was aired, with Bruce Springsteen's "My City of Ruins" setting the appropriately somber and introspective tone. And while artists such as Stevie Wonder (with assistance from Take 6 on "Love's in Need of Love") and U2 rise to the occasion with the spiritually uplifting grace expected of them, there are a few surprises here as well. Limp Bizkit and Goo Goo Doll John Rzeznick turn in a spare, if seemingly unlikely, cover of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here," appended with a new verse that asks what may be the 21st century's most compelling question: "Do you think we can change?" Even the viewpoint of John Lennon's anthem "Imagine" (as rendered by Neil Young) is occasionally altered to the first person, tellingly turning the song's idealism into a personal challenge. It's a rare event that can credibly sandwich Wyclef Jean's "Redemption Song," Mariah Carey's "Hero," and a chillingly somber take of "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi, before offering up the subtly ironic benediction of Willie Nelson's "America the Beautiful." In the midst of its most trying time in a half century (arguably musically, as well as socially), America the sleeping giant awoke--and first listened to its heart. All net proceeds benefit the United Way's September 11th Telethon Fund. --Jerry McCulley Amazon.com

A Show To Memorialize The 9/11 Heroes

This show was an attempt to pay tribute to all of the lives lost on September 11, 2001. "America: A Tribute to Heroes" was a benefit concert organized by actor George Clooney and broadcast by the four major United States television networks in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and The Pentagon. Done in the style of a telethon, it featured a number of national and international entertainers performing to raise money for the victims and their families, particularly but not limited to the New York City firefighters. It aired September 21, 2001, uninterrupted and commercial-free. It was released on December 4, 2001 on compact disc and DVD.

On a dark stage illuminated by hundreds of candles, twenty-one artists performed songs of mourning and hope, while various actors and other celebrities delivered short spoken messages. Some of the musicians including Neil Young and Eddie Vedder were heard working the phone banks taking pledges. The money raised amounted to about $30 million, and was given to the United Way's September 11 Telethon Fund.

In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine selected this concert, along with the later The Concert for New York City, as one of the 50 moments that changed rock and roll.

Please buy this DVD. The funds continue to aid The United Way. It well may make you recall how you felt on the day that America changed forever and more importantly, let you feel the PATRIOTISM toward our nation again. LET US ALL REMEMBER... January 8, 2008

Very Nice

an album to sit down, relax, and think about how this world is falling apart, but it gives hope at the same time.Mariah's performance was the best one in my opinion. July 12, 2005

Unified Set, Uniformly Excellent

When Bruce Springsteen starts this CD, "There's a blood red circle on the cold dark ground & the rain is falling down, the church door's thrown open; I can hear the organ's song, but the congregation's gone," we know we are in for a rare musical moment. His song builds softly with a soul stirring inner strength. When the choir joins him, "Come on, rise up," it sends chills down the spine. Stevie Wonder with Take 6 do such a marvelous job with "Love's In Need of Love Today." U2 do a great live version of "Walk On" from their "All That You Can't Leave Behind" CD. It's particularly touching as Bono says, "Hello from London," knowing that their were many British citizens who died with the Americans in the World Trade Towers on September 11. "The darkness will be gone; the weak shall be strong; hold on to your faith," the choir sings behind Faith Hill on the excellent "There Will Come A Day." Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down" touches emotions of anger many Americans felt in the wake of the tragedy. Neil Young's "Imagine" is so close to John Lennon's arrangement; but it is one that magically lifts our emotions. This is one of my favorite tracks on the CD. "Someday We'll All Be Free" was my introduction to Alicia Keys. When I heard her sing Donny Hathaway's marvelous song, goosebumps ran up my arm. When she sings, "Hang on to your womanly pride," it touches a chord for all of the women who fell in the tragedy that day. Limp Bizkit's acoustic offering of "Wish You Were Here" builds strongly, "So you think you can tell heaven from hell." Billy Joel's "New York State of Mind" with his jazz-inflected piano is a fitting torch tribute that concludes the first CD. The Dixie Chicks' "I Believe In Love" soars beautifully, "Today I got the answer and there's a world of truth behind it; love is out there waiting somewhere, you just have to go & find it." Dave Matthews' "Everyday" is a great acoustic ballad, "Jump in the mud of love, get yourself filthy." Bob Marley's reggae "Redemption Song" is given a strong treatment by Wyclef Jean, "New York City won't you help me sing these songs of freedom?" Bon Jovi's "Livin' On A Prayer" has a great catchy chorus. Sheryl Crow is positively haunting on "Safe & Sound," "Could you not be sad, could you not break down, after all I won't let go until you're safe & sound." Sting offers "Fragile" which appeared on his "Nothing Like the Sun" CD. Eddie Vedder's "Long Road" has some glorious guitar. The CD concludes with Paul Simon's "Brige Over Troubled Water," and Celine Dion and Willie Nelson. If you just listen to the music, this is an incredibly unified package that holds up as a listening experience as we move farther from that tragic day. If you did not get this soon after the event, don't miss out on this great music! Enjoy! January 19, 2003

So many emotions, and some minor quibbles....

Like many other citizens of the U.S., I sat and watched this 'Telethon' when it was aired shortly after September 11. As another reviewer says above, I am very cynical of the 'Hollywood Elite' and many in the entertainment industry. Many of those folks will take our dollars on one hand, and then tell us how bad we are for the world on the other. Not an attitude I share or condone.

The folks that appeared during this telethon spoke mostly from the heart, with little or no scripting of their comments and words.

I appreciate the generous thoughts behind this event, and what the event meant at the time of it's airing.

For the most part, this event was an opportunity to provide low key celebration of being an American, and for those in New York that were so deeply affected, what it meant to be a New Yorker (such as Billy Joel's performance of "New York State of Mind").

In both this event, and especially with the 'Concert for New York', I felt a little disappointed that it seemed that the people that were affected and impacted in the Washington, DC/Arlington, VA area (at the Pentagon) were overlooked to a large extent, and of course there was little attention to the folks on the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania with real American Heros aboard.

That doesn't diminish from the impact of this collection though.

Another reviewer mentions the opening with Bruce Springsteen's ballad "My City of Ruin," which set the stage for most everything that followed.

The performances of these songs, without live audiences, but also free of the studio and the heavy editing/mixing and tweaking that occurs there, are powerful and inspirational.

This *isn't* Toby Keith and his anthem "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue" (which followed later). It's a collection of songs that will remind you of this great nation, and the spirit of being an American.

A special salute to Celine Dion, who I'd not normally call myself a dedicated fan of (her music was of course done to the point of over popularity in the pop radio arena). Her rendition of "God Bless America" is awe-inspiring and powerful. Beautifully done.

Some of the other highlights include Faith Hill's "There Will Come A Day," Enrique Iglesias' "Hero," and of course, Paul Simon's "Bridge of Troubled Water."

My one minor quibble with this collection is the packaging that has been used in many cases. The CD case for this collection uses a very flimsy and tricky 2 CD holder in the single CD case space. Not the typical flip space, but one that uses a single plastic point to hinge on. I'm sure that this hinge will wear out quickly, and it definitely doesn't like to stay in place inside the case.

My rating for the music: 5 stars. For the packaging: 0 stars. January 10, 2003

One Outstanding track

I remember the night this concert was broadcast very vividly. It was just a few days after the attack on the WTC, and most of the country probably felt like me- in shock. Watching this concert the night it was held, I wondered where the song choices came from. They did tell alot about the feeling and understanding of the singers.

Some of it was just pap, like the "let's all be friends" and "all we need is peace and love" offerings from Stevie Wonder and Neil Young. Some were traditonal you-can't-go-wrong anthems, like the offerings of Celine and Willie. Some were wistful (Billy Joel), some trite (Mariah Carey, Bon Jovi), some almost defeatist sounding, some pointless, and and some were downright trite.

But the one that really affected me was Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down". Watching it, you knew where Tom stood. September 27, 2002

More reviews at Amazon.com ...