What people search:
 | Title : God Bless America
Author : Various Artists
Release Date : 20011016
Binding : Audio CD
Regular Price : $13.96
Amazon.com Price : $6.00
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Editorial Reviews :
Columbia Records rushed this compilation of patriotic and inspirational favorites into production in the wake of the September 11, 2001, attacks. The title song is a new version by Celine Dion similar to the performance she gave on the Tribute to Heroes telethon, while John Mellencamp's 'Peaceful World' is included in an alternate, acoustic treatment. Each listener may find his or her own favorites, but few will be left unmoved by a selection that also includes Bruce Springsteen's 'Land of Hope and Dreams,' Simon & Garfunkel's 'Bridge over Troubled Water,' and renderings of 'America the Beautiful,' 'This Land Is Your Land,' and 'Amazing Grace' by, respectively, Frank Sinatra, Pete Seeger, and Tramaine Hawkins. Bill Withers's 'Lean on Me' closes the disc on a plainspoken note that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of rescuers and other Americans since the tragedies. A back-cover note promises that a 'substantial portion of the proceeds received by Sony Music [Columbia's parent company] from sales of this album will be donated to the Twin Towers Fund.'
Buyer Reviews :
There are those here who claim that Sony was motivated solely by profit when it released this CD. While I'm sure the bottom line factored in somewhere, I think that this is more a case of supply and demand. Suddenly Americans had a desire to own some of these songs and Sony simply dug through the vault and gave us what it had.
While some of the selections or versions chosen are questionable (Mariah Carey's 'Hero' or Tremaine Hawkins's 'Amazing Grace') on the whole this is a solid collection. Celion Dion delivers a powerful rendition of 'God Bless America' and Frank Sinatra's 'America the Beautiful' is a no-frills version but still effective. Lee Greenwood's now ubiquitous 'God Bless the USA' is the version everyone knows, but it's inclusion here is both fitting and necessary. The highlight of the album for me was the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's version of 'The Star-Spangled Banner'. Only a choir's many voices could do justice to such a difficult song. The inclusion of the triumphant fourth stanza is a very nice touch, particularly in these times.
While other collections of patriotic songs exist, many are streaky or uneven. I believe this one delivers high quality from start to finish.
(by Rick Terpstra)
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