God Bless America

Various Artists (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 16, 2001)
• Original Release Date: October 16, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00005QJDD
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,142 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Columbia Records rushed this compilation of patriotic and inspirational favorites into production in the wake of the September 11, 2001, attacks. The title song is a new version by Celine Dion similar to the performance she gave on the Tribute to Heroes telethon, while John Mellencamp's "Peaceful World" is included in an alternate, acoustic treatment. Each listener may find his or her own favorites, but few will be left unmoved by a selection that also includes Bruce Springsteen's "Land of Hope and Dreams," Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge over Troubled Water," and renderings of "America the Beautiful," "This Land Is Your Land," and "Amazing Grace" by, respectively, Frank Sinatra, Pete Seeger, and Tramaine Hawkins. Bill Withers's "Lean on Me" closes the disc on a plainspoken note that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of rescuers and other Americans since the tragedies. A back-cover note promises that a "substantial portion of the proceeds received by Sony Music [Columbia's parent company] from sales of this album will be donated to the Twin Towers Fund." --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Timely Collection, November 5, 2001

By	Rick Terpstra (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

There are those here who claim that Sony was motivated solely by profit when it released this CD. While I'm sure the bottom line factored in somewhere, I think that this is more a case of supply and demand. Suddenly Americans had a desire to own some of these songs and Sony simply dug through the vault and gave us what it had.

While some of the selections or versions chosen are questionable (Mariah Carey's 'Hero' or Tremaine Hawkins's 'Amazing Grace') on the whole this is a solid collection. Celion Dion delivers a powerful rendition of 'God Bless America' and Frank Sinatra's 'America the Beautiful' is a no-frills version but still effective. Lee Greenwood's now ubiquitous 'God Bless the USA' is the version everyone knows, but it's inclusion here is both fitting and necessary. The highlight of the album for me was the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's version of 'The Star-Spangled Banner'. Only a choir's many voices could do justice to such a difficult song. The inclusion of the triumphant fourth stanza is a very nice touch, particularly in these times.

While other collections of patriotic songs exist, many are streaky or uneven. I believe this one delivers high quality from start to finish.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Powerful, Very Moving..., November 8, 2001

By	Robert J. Schneider (Tacoma, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Although most songs on this CD were first recorded and released by these artists long ago, to hear them in the order on which they appear really stirs up the emotions. The CD begins with the unforgettable version of "God Bless America" as sung by Celine Dion in the way that only she can sing, and continues with the haunting "Land of Hope and Dreams" by Bruce Springsteen. I must say that the tears really started welling up during the listening of "America the Beautiful" by the late great Frank Sinatra, who was (and continues to be) one of our greatest national treasures. I never realized how much of one he was until hearing him on this CD.

I never sang along to the stirring chorus of "God Bless The U.S.A." by Lee Greenwood until now. To hear Mahalia Jackson's voice (on "My Country 'Tis Of Thee") alone is probably worth the purchase of this CD. (Speaking of national treasures, she also was one of our greatest.) The wan but quietly inspiring "Lean On Me" by Bill Withers is the right song that ends this collection of American artistry, which pays tribute to the nation from which these artists sprung. Artists who all came from such widely different backgrounds, with such widely differing political views (try to imagine Pete Seeger and Lee Greenwood at the same political event--highly unlikely), but they knew what united them all: each and every artist on this CD was proud to be an American.

So am I.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exellent Album!, November 2, 2001

By	Paul L. (USA) - See all my reviews

I think a few people are missing the sentiment upon which this cd was released. It was meant as a humanitarian effort to raise money for the victims of this horrific and tragic human event.

One does not have to be American to be appreciated, or included in the line up of artists. The composer of the very title song "God Bless America was Irving Berlin. He was Russian. Gloria Estefan is Cuban. Celine Dion is Canadian. The song My Country 'Tis of Thee
is in the tune of God Save The Queen, the National Anthem of England.

Celine Dion was asked by the producers to sing God Bless America. She was in self-imposed retirement. But Dion rose to the challenge and call of duty and came out of retirement to perform the title song, donating all her royalties and proceeds to victims and families of the twin towers charity fund, just as all the other artists have done. Kudos to Celine and all the artists!

They have raised millions of dollars in charity for the victims. I think this was mighty commendable of them. So please don't tear Celine down for doing a good humanitarian deed. Thanks to all the artists on the album, American or otherwise, for using their celebrity and in helping out in any way they can.