Live Earth: The Concerts For A Climate In Crisis

Performer: Various Artists
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: Organized to raise consciousness about climate change, the LIVE EARTH concert event featured a series of international performances by more than 100 major musical acts in July of 2007. Issued later in the year, this release distills the day down to two DVDs and one CD, with the audio-only portion presenting 15 tracks by various artists. Highlights of the LIVE collection include Foo Fighters' impassioned, energetic "Times Like These" and Corinne Bailey Rae and John Legend's soulful rendition of Marvin Gaye's classic "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)." While many of the songs here are by relatively young performers, rock's elder statesmen are well represented in the Police ("Driven to Tears") and Roger Waters ("Another Brick in the Wall II"), giving the compilation a wide appeal. Perhaps it's unfair to judge every global concert by the standards set by Live Aid, but the Live Earth concert series is simply too similar -- in name, in scope, in artists (Sting, Phil Collins, Duran Duran, and Madonna participated in both events) -- not to invite comparisons. Live Aid was a momentous occasion in musical history, an issue-minded concert with iconic performances to match. While Live Earth's emphasis on climate change and sustainability certainly measures up to its predecessor's focus on Africa, the performances simply don't compare, regardless of the artists' good intentions. Where's the equivalent of U2's show-stealing performance? Queen's theatrics? The Who's charming messiness? They're absent from this three-disc collection, which -- to its credit -- does feature some fine numbers, but nothing that seems as inspired or worthwhile as the concert's overall goal. John Mayer, Keane, and the Police deliver confident tracks to the audio disc, and the two enclosed DVDs (which span a total of 36 tracks) highlight standout performances by Rihanna and the reunited Genesis. Most artists know exactly why they've been asked to perform and, accordingly, many deliver some sort of green-minded sermon. Bon Jovi, on the other hand, simply comes across as self-impressed, especially when a dapper-looking Jon asks the crowd to "rise for the playing of our National Anthem" before immediately launching into "Wanted Dead or Alive"." Apart from that one instance, it's hard to find true fault with this collection of moderately agreeable songs, especially when the net proceeds benefit climate protection. Live Earth certainly isn't Live Aid, but it's lively enough to warrant repeated listens. ~ Andrew Leahey DVD Features: Includes 2 DVDs: DVD 1: 1. SOS Allstars "Live Earth: London Opening" 2. Genesis "Invisible Touch" 3. Snow Patrol "Shut Your Eyes" 4. Damien Rice & David Gray "Que Sera, Sera" 5. KT Tunstall "Suddenly I See" 6. Taking Back Sunday "My Blue Heaven" 7. Paolo Nutini "What A Wonderful World" 8. Black Eyed Peas "Where Is The Love" 9. Duran Duran "Planet Earth" 10. AFI "Miss Murder" 11. John Mayer "Gravity" 12. Corinne Bailey Rae & John Legend "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" 13. Keane "Bedshaped" 14. Metallica "Sad But True" 15. Melissa Etheridge "I Need To Wake Up" 16. Dave Matthews Band "Too Much" 17. Kelly Clarkson "Sober" 18. Angelique Kidjo "Tumba" 19. Joss Stone "Right To Be Wrong" 20. James Blunt "Wisemen" 21. Beastie Boys "Intergalactic" DVD 2: 22. Keith Urban & Alicia Keys "Gimme Shelter" 23. Enrique Iglesias "Bailamos" 24. Missy Higgins "Steer" 25. Wolfmother "Woman" 26. Chris Cornell "Black Hole Sun" 27. Bon Jovi "Wanted Dead Or Alive" 28. Lenny Kravitz "Are You Gonna Go My Way" 29. Smashing Pumpkins "United States" 30. Roger Waters "Another Brick In The Wall Part II" 31. The Police "Driven To Tears" 32. Crowded House "Better Be Home Soon" 33. Rihanna "Umbrella" 34. Linkin Park "Bleed It Out" 35. Foo Fighters "Times Like These" 36. Madonna feat. Gogol Bordello "La Isla Bonita"

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