Various Artists - Concert for New York MultiStereo (32 tracks) +Album Reviews

Almost Perfect

Jonathan A Keller | Weston, FL United States | 12/14/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The thing about this CD is how wonderful it is that this concert happened, but how horrible the reason. Humankind at its best, as a result of humankind at its worst, is a striking contrast and very uplifting. Listening to this CD is a very moving experience, and you've got to play it loud and sing along at the top of your lungs.The songs are more relevant now than it could have ever been imagined before September 11th. Mick and Keith's "Salt of the Earth", The Who's "We Don't Get Fooled Again", JT's "Fire and Rain", Bowie covering S&G's "America", Five for Fighting's "Superman", and of course, Billy Joel's "Miami 2017" & "NY State of Mind"; all great songs in their time, and are especially moving in this emotional and powerful CD. (Billy Joel and Five for Fighting truly stand out).If you're not sure whether to buy this CD, consider this. I (don't like) Bon Jovi (...)! But listen to their performance, you'll hear a bunch of American boys, pouring their hearts and souls into their music in honor of the FDNY, the City of New York, and their country. I admit that it brought a tear to my eye, but I'm still not running out to buy "Slippery When Wet".I loved the intros by John Cusack and Bill Clinton, Mike Moran's narrative, and Operaman. The only hiccup was including The Backstreet Boys. This concert and CD should have been reserved for bands/acts with more integrity than the boy-band du jour. Nick, AJ, Justin and whatever their names are, do not belong in the pantheon with Clapton, Elton, McCartney, and the other bands listed above. The CD is sort of like the big family portrait which includes your sister's loser boyfriend who she dumped 2 weeks after the picture, leaving you with a perfect picture, except for him, and you can't crop him out. Destiny's Child also do not necessarily belong, but at least they covered a song "Emotions" written by someone more talented than themselves.
But overall, this is just nitpicking. Get this CD. You'll love it!"

Rock and History Merge Before Your Ears

Birdman | Minnetonka, MN USA | 11/28/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of the eeriest moments of this splendid, live recording is Billy Joel's performance of Miami 2017 in which the terrible events of September 2001 seemed to be foretold. The performer's voice breaks on the highs but it only seems to add to the pathos of his delivery. Like any live album of this sort, there are highs and lows. The highs, which include Mick Jagger and Keith Richard's powerhouse delivery of SALT OF THE EARTH, and Roger Daltrey's vocal on BABA O' REILLY, are some of the most passionate performances you've ever heard. And Daltrey's voice hardly sounds different from the one we heard thirty years ago. The great sanity and gentleness of James Taylor's performance will, in the historic context of this event, draw tears from more than one listener. Even Destiny's Child delivers beautifully in a Gospel Medley that will send shivers up your spine. Amidst all this grandeur are more lackluster moments,including David Bowie's opening cover of Paul Simon's AMERICA, Adam Sandler's very odd performance of OPERAMAN and Backstreet Boys' surprisingly sleepy rendition of QUIT PLAYING GAMES WITH MY HEART. There are also some blisteringly fine performances that are plopped into the middle of the performance -- such as HOOCHIE COOCHIE MAN performed by Eric Clapton and the beloved Buddy Guy, that are so damned good, we want to hear another cut or two from the duo, but must settle for one. Live performances are always a dog to record, but the four producers of this landmark recording did all they could to create a wide soundstage, balanced accoustics and minimal rolloff distortion during the loudest cuts. Most of all, the audience is a living, breathing part of the recording; they react to the music, join with it, cheer it, even boo it once or twice. All of net Sony's net proceeds on the album will benefit the Robin Hood fund, so it's an especially satisfying purchase too. Over all, I loved this album, warts and all. It is one our children will share with their children. It proves that music can be unbelievably healing. And who knows, you may even get up and dance to it once or twice. I did, and it felt great."

A Rock Tribute to Heroes Fallen and Surviving

Jonathan A Keller | 12/19/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With over 6,000 NY Fire Department members, NY Police Department members and NY Port Authority officers present, some of rock n'rolls' all time greats assembled for a powerful tribute to the heroes of September 11th and the City of New York. David Bowie opened with a powerful set of America and Heroes. Bon Jovi followed with a superb set. On down the line it went with Eric Clapton and Buddy Guy jammin' to Hoochie Coochie Man. Melissa Etheridge overcame some microphone problems to do a great version of the Boss's Born to Run. The WHO were magnificent, especially on Won't Get Fooled Again which brought the audience down, the NYC firemen and police really responding to their music. Keith Richards and Mick Jagger, while their voices are not what they once were, did a powerful duo of numbers keynoted by Salt of the Earth. The final four numbers, led by Paul McCartney are some of the most appropriately chosen songs of the night, especially his newest, Freedom which (like Let It Be) features a stunning Eric Clapton guitar solo. This double CD set is one of the finest concerts I have ever heard. It is a more than fitting tribute to the City of New York and her fallen heroes and heroines. Long live the City of New York and the rockers who honor her."

A classic.

Jonathan A Keller | 12/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I went to New York City in January 2001 as part of an annual school trip--after three days there, I left having completely fallen in love with the city. Nine months later, the unthinkable happened, and my love for NYC only grew stronger. I remember watching this concert on VH1 and just being completely floored by everything about it: the policemen and the firemen having the best time of their lives, the short films by New York's--and Jersey's--finest (Kevin Smith, baby, yeah!), the great bits by Billy Crystal, Will Ferrell, Jimmy Fallon, and Adam Sandler, but--my God--the music. The Who (complete with Townshend's windmill gesture), Billy Joel (later that night duetting with Elton John), and Paul McCartney bringing everyone out on stage at the end for his new single "Freedom". This is one of the best concert CDs I've ever heard, done for one of--no, the best--city in the world. Buy it."

A Concert That Will Live In Infamy. . .

M. Kroll | Westchester County, NY | 12/21/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Terrorists down the World Trade Center...Downtown New York in shambles...the world dealt a blow beneath the belt. It was several weeks later, this night, October 20, 2001, that America honored our heroes by doing something we do best, throw together memorable concerts. No, this was no Live Aid, this was no Tibetean Freedom Concert, this was better...We came together that night, in our homes in front of the TV, at Madison Square Garden, and all around the world, to honor the men and women who work for a living as someone who walks straight into hell without blinking an eye to save pure strangers, specifically New York's Bravest, the FDNY, and New York's Finest, the NYPD.
David Bowie starts out playing his tune, "America" and then we move on to the heart-pumping sounds of Bon Jovi, Jay-Z, and the Goo-Goo Dolls. Next is one of New York's own, Billy Joel. He takes us through on a trip of New York, singing about his "New York State of Mind." Destiny's Child entertains us with a few light tunes, and then Eric Clapton with Buddy Guy, playing a nice-moving tune, "I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man." Adam Sandler takes the stage next, eagerly displaying his grief over Guliani's departure and his confusion over how "Tough Osama" is "exterminating" in a cave.
Disc 2 starts off with Mike Moran offering some Irish Wisdom to his good friend, Mr. Bin Laden. The Who then delivers an absolutely amazing performance (almost half of the second disc), rocking out on three songs for over 30 minutes...a performance to go down as one of the greatest sets of all time. Disc 2 is not as jam-packed as the first, but finishes out with Paul McCartney singing several songs, including never-aging renditions of "Yesterday" and "Let It Be". The CD ends with Paul McCartney and most of the artists there that night (minus a Mick Jaggar) playing his new song "Freedom" with Eric Clapton taking numerous exhilerating solos.
A CD collection to be remembered, a collection for the masses, a collection which no other can be compared to...
It was this night the greatest from all ends of the silver screen and the LP, from the "American Bad (...)" himself to American icons such as Jerry Seinfeld, James Lipton, and Billy Joel, that these images of America took a step back to focus the light on America's NEW heros, our EMS Volunteers, our Policemen, and our Firefighters. GOD BLESS AMERICA!"

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