| CD REVIEW (Also posted at www.701.com and www.monkeybiz.ca) |
 |
| TO RETURN TO THE CD REVIEW INDEX, |
| Whether you are an active pacifist or not, this 15-track collection of songs from both female and male North American artists (plus Australian and Norwegian representation) is a life-affirming musical documentary humbly shadowing its more famous and forceful predecessor, �Woodstock�. Check out the Bob Dylan-inspired �Gift (One Iraqi Child)�. One of the many things I like about this CD is that it offers a wide exposure to lesser-known female recording artists, who, unless they are willing to expose more than their musical talent, are very often overlooked in the higher echelons of the industry today. Apart from their thought-provoking lyrics on a peaceful world, West Coast ladies Christa Couture, Quincy, Elaine Dempsey (of big Wide Grin), Blair Hansen, Adrienne Jones and Margo Hennebach (of Hartford, Connecticut�s Mad Agnes trio), and Toronto�s Laura Fernandez are all deserving of recognition for their demurely sweet, lilting vocals. Among the renowned Ontario male performers appearing here are Guelph�s James Gordon (�Weapons of Mass Instruction�), Whitby�s Roger Ellis (�Catch the Spirit�), and the winner of the 2004 Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award, David Gillis, of Vineland (�A Mouse�s Crumb�) � all wonderful musical ambassadors for Canada! The most memorable �hit� track on this CD, among these otherwise beautiful ballads, would certainly be the quirky �60s-sounding �Change My World�. It was composed by Sean Altman and Billy Straus, and the track also appears on the Carmen Sandiego CD, Out of this World. Here�s a sampling: Here�s a sampling of the riotous poetry that accompanies this catchy tune: �Squelch the patter of the bullies spreading pulpit cheer; Tweak the beard of any walk-the-planking, baby-spanking crusty buccaneer; Rally all the Pollyannas in the atmosphere; Holding hands & clicking heels and watch the evil disappear. We'll make it disappear! We'll never never ever ever fear! Norway�s Finn Coren contributes �Riverboatman�, a well-enunciated, musically-dramatic opus played on piano with violin accompaniment, would appeal to anyone who can relate to the plight of a political refugee. His musical styling is also similar to Teitur. It would have been great if Belgium�s Yanah had been included on this CD, particularly for her �Girl in the Picture� tribute to Kim Phuc, a Vietnamese victim of a napalm attack, but there are only so many songs that can fit on one CD. This is a very admirable initiative by humanitarian Brian Gladstone, who also organizes several other socially-conscious music endeavours such as Earthday, Winterfolk Festival and the Outrageous Summer Open Stage. Check him out at www.backtothedirt.com. If your peace efforts are more politically (and rock music) oriented, you should also check out Craig Ingraham and Rob Moitoza�s 2002 World on Fire: Songs for Peace CD (Space Brothers Records). |
| PEACE SONGS FOR A BETTER WORLD - VARIOUS ARTISTS (www.abetterworld.ca) |
 |