Search - Various Artists :: America: A Tribute To Heroes

Niolene S. from FAYETTEVILLE, AR
Reviewed on 10/23/2011...

Really do like this tribute to our heroes. Thanks, Vets!! Each & every one of you!!

Melanie W. (novelwriter) from SURFSIDE BCH, SC
Reviewed on 11/21/2007...

This is a very good cd. It is done for a very good cause. I liked how all the different artists came together to do this project. The live aspect to the cd is wonderful. If anything good should come out of a horrible situation this is it. Gives me a reason to be Thankful.

Rachel H. from KANSAS CITY, MO
Reviewed on 3/2/2007...

I just have disc 1.

0 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Unified Set, Uniformly Excellent

Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 01/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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!"

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

terpfan1980 | Somewhere near Washington DC, United States | 01/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."