We Are The World
by USA For Africa

Shortlisted for album of the year at the 1986 Grammys. The winner was No Jacket Required by Phil Collins

"USA for Africa" was created for famine relief, featuring many American musical celebrities, and also Irishman Bob Geldof and uh, ...*checks notes*... Canadian comedian Dan Aykroyd? At least Geldof makes sense, because the idea was based on his "Band Aid" charity. Anyway, I remember the title track being played to death at the time. I thought it was alright - kind of cheesy but kind of catchy at the same time.
However, the first problem with this album rears its head when that track ends and the Steve Perry song begins. Not Steve's fault, but this is a bit of whiplash, because this sappy love song just doesn't fit with the supposed theme of charity for the unfortunate. And as the album goes on, you'll notice that about half the songs just don't really fit in. Whoever chose the order of these tracks made some strange choices, that's for sure.
The Pointer Sisters song is pretty decent, and is probably better than some of the songs on their album that it never made it onto.
Bruce's live performance of "Trapped" is absolutely the best song here, and should be sought out.
Canadian musicians did their own charity song "Tears Are Not Enough" under the supergroup name "Northern Lights". A little more serious and less "poppy" than We Are The World, but pretty decent. Includes John Candy, Eugene Levy, Robin Duke, and Catherine O'Hara from SCTV. Dan Aykroyd would have fit in perfectly.
The Prince song is an uncharacteristically religious song which is pretty decent, and I have to give him credit for at least fitting into the charity theme.
"Total Control" is an OK cover by Tina Turner but not as good as the original by The Motels.
The Chicago and Kenny Rogers tracks are alright, kind of forgettable.
And Huey Lewis closes things out with a live performance of a song from his 1980 album.
Overall, not a bad collection of songs, but a little weird thematically and some just seem like left-overs that got rejected from other albums. If you have to get only one thing from this, get that Spingsteen track.

From junodog4 03/15/2015 21:12 | #136971

The British effort was colonial in tone. The Canadian effort was apologetic. And to continue with the stereotype, the American effort for Eithipia was bombastic and self-centred in nature. I'm not complaining - decent songs for a fantastic cause.