Search - Various Artists :: Voice of the Homeless

Simply a wonderful project

TC1 | 12/03/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I had the honor of attending the debut of this recording, since my neighbor did the piano work and her boyfriend produced the album. It is quite simply one of the most wonderful, inspiring projects I have ever witnessed. The goal of the project was to instill self-worth in some good people who were facing hard times and to provide some funds for them to get off the streets.



Some of the songs are strong, some are weak, but the recording is top-notch in terms of musicianship, talent and technical quality. The songs are so varied that you will like some, but not others. However, I must say that everyone on the album sings better than I do, and better than a lot of today's professionals.



I had never really had a heart for homeless people before this. Sure, I would help them if I could, but I thought most were just drug- or alcohol-riddled derilicts. Boy, was I wrong. One was a Vietnam vet who came home and got into alcohol which cost him his job, then his home, and finally his wife. He was a very sharp, intelligent man who was sober by the time he participated in this project. He most compelling point was that this could happen to ANYBODY, and if you think it can't happen to you then you are dead wrong.



I was deeply touched by one of the performers, Micci Linder, since he was of the same heritage as me (Swedish). I loved his song and his stories and his wonderfully upbeat personality. After the premier, I spent some time with him and offered him anything he wanted. I thought I was taking a big risk and that he would ask for tons of money (which I probably would have given him). He told me that because of help from the producers of this project that he had already been able to get a room in a halfway house and was off the street for the first time in a long time. Then he said, I got this room, and I like to read, so what I really need is (at this point I thought he was going to ask for a lamp, but I was still wrong)... a lightbulb. I opened my heart and wallet to this guy and probably would have given him substantial amounts of money; I offered him anything I had, and he asked for a freakin' 89 cent lightbulb. A lightbulb. Needless to say, it was a moment that changed my life forever regarding the homeless.



So, even if you don't like all the music, please buy this album to support the cause. I guarentee that you'll be impressed with it and will like at least some of the music. It varies from pleasing ballads to rap, and each song reflects the personality of the performer.



God bless Jeanne and Rex for all they did.



And regarding the other review, I really have to wonder about someone who would buy a music album with this title expecting humor. I think that says a lot more about the reviewer than the album."