Thursday, Feb. 04, 2010
Pod Picks for February 4, 2010
This week we recommend downloading tracks from "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief" available from iTunes with all the proceeds going to the Haiti Relief Fund.
"Hallelujah" by Justin Timberlake, Charlie Sexton and Matt Morris
Justin Timberlake has brought credibility to not only pop music but also the retirees from boy bands. He continues setting the bar by being joined by Bob Dylan's guitarist, Charlie Sexton, and singer/songwriter Matt Morris, who has written songs for both Timberlake and Cristina Aguilera. The song is strong without falling back on star-power as a crutch - just piano by Timberlake and acoustic guitars. Staying true to Leonard Cohen's original, their voices meld together the soft verses with bittersweet lyrics. A beautiful testament for a great cause.
"Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)" by Jay-Z, Bono, The Edge & Rihanna
This song was written on the spot by the aforementioned performers and the producer, Swizz Beatz. It goes to show why Jay-Z is considered the king of hip-hop and when it comes to charity, Bono is always on the top of his game. The Edge's signature guitar playing is present for Bono and Rihanna to ride with their harmonies but it is Jay-Z that hits the mark. He creates lyrics, on the fly, that not only illustrate the public's opinions about the tragedy in Haiti but radiate a hope for the future of a country that desperately needs rebuilding.
"Alone and Forsaken" by Dave Matthews & Neil Young
A Hank Williams song, two of North America's troubadours, one from the past and one from the present, turning Williams' lyrics of unrequited love into an ode for an island country in peril. Matthews' voice is forlorn and strained as Young echoes him all the way through the desperate verses and the despondent chorus. It is not uplifting as much as it is immediate and sometimes immediacy is what is needed in times like these.
