Help - Help > Reviews > The Best Charity Record Ever

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Advantages:	Top tunes and a good cause
Disadvantages:	couple of weaker tracks

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

The Vast majority of Charity records are absolute garbage!!

That’s not to say that I don’t buy them, it’s a good cause after all, and at the time they sound alright or maybe even amusing but do you listen to them a couple of years down the line – I think not. What sets the HELP project apart is the quality of the music; recorded in 1995 this cd features the cream of both indie rock and dance from that year.

The cd was recorded at the height of the Balkans conflict, which even now still hasn’t been resolved, and the proceeds from this cd went to the War Child charity. The charity is dedicated to providing immediate, effective and sustainable aid in order to build peace, resolve conflict and empower future generations. The charity was set up in 1993 to provide immediate assistance in the Balkans and was responsible for immediate distribution of aid including feeding thousand from a mobile bakery and ensuring diabetics received appropriate medication. It is currently setting up safe play areas for children in this region and is also active in Africa and Chechnya, particularly in Landmine education and clearance. For more information go to www.warchild.org.uk .

The idea behind the recording is that on September 4th 1995 all the bands involved went into a studio and recorded their song, which had to be less than 3 minutes 45 seconds. The recording had to be completed and the track delivered to Go –disc by the end of that day, any failing to meet this deadline were excluded from the cd, although from memory a single of late comers was also released. The album was then compiled, and issued within a week becoming the fastest selling cd at the time with 72,000 copies sold on the Saturday of release.

The artwork for the cd features a front cover painting by The Stone Rose’s John Squire featuring coloured dog tags (?) overstamped with the word HELP, a back cover by Massive Attacks 3D depicting the personnel effect of an air raid and text by Nirvana’s Krist Novosetic reminding us that Kosovo was only one in a series of war crimes since the end of WW11.

Due to the tight release schedule there isn’t a track listing but I cobbled the following together from the music press of the day, so apologies in advance for any inaccuracies.

Fade Away – Oasis
Originally the b-side to cigarettes and alcohol this version features Johnny Depp on guitar and vocals by Noel. The lyrics express how the dreams we had as children fade away, and is performed with a groove rather than the usual Oasis bombast and is an excellent opener.

Oh Brother – Boo Radleys
Not sure of the history of this track, but again it is an acoustic groove with a slightly psychedelic instrumental break, another strong track.

Love Spreads – Stone Roses
Taken from the 2nd coming album, this is a rougher version of the song with both guitars and vocals sounding a bit muffled. Sounds dirty but great and its a miracle in itself, a Roses tune delivered in one day.

Lucky – Radiohead
From the days when Radiohead could recognise a tune if it slapped them around the face with a wet fish, this is a “happy” tune which is all laid back tension as to what will happen next set to a gorgeous haunting melody. An identical version later appeared on OK Computer.

Adnan – Orbital
This is the original shortened version of Adnans which later appeared on the In Sides album, and is a perfect chill out with, laid back drums and 2 repeating synth rhythms.

Mourning Air – Portishead
Later issued on the Portishead cd, this is a classic torch song with Beth’s voice set to a distorted trumpet. Not sure what the lyrics are but the overall impression is of desolation.

Fake the Aroma – Massive Attack
This is an alternative version of Karmacoma from the Protection cd, and features heavy bass, whispered vocals, unusual bubbling rhymic effects and a nagging guitar hook.

Shipbuilding – Suede
This is a straight cover of the classic Robert Wyatt anti war song, which Brett rings every last drop of poignancy from.

Time for Livin’ – The Charlatans
Recorded with the Chemical Brothers, this is a funky cover of a Sly and the Family Stone song. It’s classic Charlatans with the hammond sound very much to the fore and the Chemicals providing a sprinkling of magic to up the dance factor.

Sweet Truth – Stereo MCs
Another miracle, a Stereo MC track finished in one day. Not bad, grooves along nicely but doesn’t ultimately stick in the memory.

Ode to Billy Joe – Sinead O’Connor
A cover of a Bobbie Gentry song, this is probably my favourite from the cd. The songs about Billy Joe MacAllister who throws himself off a bridge and the relationship of the singer to him – but unusually even by the end this isn’t fully explained. Sinead’s voice is exceptionally pure and the backing is very sparse with rhythmic drum rolls, piano and guitar and an Irish whistle providing the atmosphere. Truly takes you into Sinead’s interpretation of the Deep South.

Searchlights – The Levellers
Rough and ready punked up folk, either like it or not.

Raindrops keep falling on my head – Manic Street Preachers
Possibly the 1st recording without Ritchie, this shows the poppier side to the manics with the vocals as rough as ever but accompanied by strummed guitar and muted trumpet – I guess even writers Baccarah and David would approve. Stunningly simple & yet wonderful.

Tom Petty loves Veruca Salt - Terrorvision
Another example of rockers mellowing out, with a bassline hook supported by acoustic guitar and again a trumpet – another excellent song.

The Magnificent – One World Orchestra (AKA The KLF)
By rights this should be a complete pigs ear. Based upon the theme from the Magnificent 7, mixed with exerts from Serbian radio, gunfire, police sirens and some beats its very exciting and the radio quote “ Humans against killing is like junkies against dope” sums up the state of the world.

Message to Crommie – Planet 4 folk Orchestra (AAKA Andy Weatherall)
This fuses some Balkan folk music played on an accordion, a piano motif, and some ambient beats to again prove dance music can produce special moments

Dream a little Dream – Terry Hall & Salad
I’ve got a slight bias here as I believe that Terry Hall is the most under rated singer there is, but his deadpan vocal style complements the straightforward rendition of this Mama & Papas track.

1,2,3,4,5 – Neneh Cherry & Trout
Based around the children nursery rhythm this rocks out more than the rest of the cd, but maybe because of this, whilst not being a bad track, somehow doesn’t fit in.

Eine Kleine Lift Music – Seymour (AKA Blur)
Probably the silliest, and also grandest track on the cd. Released at the height of Britpop this is no tail of mockney England but a sweeping song feature strings, trumpets, and piano to the fore which like waves on a beach seems to climax again and again.

Come Together – Paul Weller
Featuring Noel Gallagher and Paul McCartney this should be a stellar version of the Beatles hit, unfortunately it just comes across as a bit lumpen.

As a musical snapshot this is excellent showing just how good music was in 95, and how sometimes the pressure of recording a song in one day removes all the jiggery pokery to produce stripped down songs which stand up in their own right.
Even if this wasn’t a charity album it would be recommended, the charity side just gives a reason to seek out this cd.

IMPORTANT

If you wish to help Warchild further there are a list of activities on the site but one we could all do is dig out all the loose change we have left over from our holidays from the Eurozone countries: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal & Spain which won’t be valid currency next year and send it to Warchild at 5-7 Anglers Lane, London NW5 3DG before February 2002 and they will use it to help children around the globe.