Customer Reviews

God Bless America

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

In light of all of the events of the past two months, both here and abroad...this compilation appeals to the patriot in all of us. It has songs that comfort and inspire...the opening ballad of "God Bless America" is sung by Celine Dion. Her voice is soothing and comforting...Then there are contemporary songs such as "Hero" by Mariah Carey and Billy Gilman's "There's a Hero" that are a tribute to all the men and women who risked and lost their lives on that tragic day...September 11. And Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A." has a way of making you proud to be an American, no matter what your country of origin may be. This is not just a compilation thrown together at the last minute to cash in on the patriotic fever sweeping the nation. It is well thought out and a joy to listen to.

... God Bless America is a remarkably good collection of music. Patriotic music is of course tempered by one's birthright or citizenship. O Canada probably won't stir great feeling in Americans, and that's fair enough. The US national anthem is, I believe, fairly regarded as a difficult piece of music. You need a singer with the range of Whitney or Mariah to hit the span of notes in that song. Since Sony doesn't have Whitney and Mariah is already represented, they have taken the safe and perhaps pedestrian approach of using the Mormom Tabernacle Choir, whose 300-strong voices guarantee the song will be done justice.

Personally, I've always thought that Irving Berlin's God Bless America was a better piece of music than the Star Spangled Banner. But Celine Dion must surely confirm that beyond ANY doubt. She starts the tune as a lullaby and gradually, flawlessly builds it to an aria. Her performance leaves me in complete awe. Ironically, Celine is also Canadian, as is the producer of the track, David Foster.

John Mellencamp's Peaceful World is not the radio version, but a simple acoustic mix. Invariably such acoustic version of his songs make them even stronger, bringing his quiet determined pride in America forward. If you can find an acoustic Pink Houses, you'll know what I mean.

Springsteen, as ever, steps up to bat and belts out a home run with "Land of Hope and Dreams".

After that the pickings are, if not desparate, certainly eclectic. This is probably the only time in history that you'll see Frank Sinatra side by side with Pete Seeger...

Filling in are a number of pop standards meant to calm rather than inspire: Hero, Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Lean On Me. The songs are inspiring -- the choices aren't particularly.

It's ironic how many song on the CD have non-American connections. Besides Celine Dion, "God Bless America"'s composer was born in Germany. Gloria Estafan was born in Cuba. Amazing Grace was composed in Scotland, and "My Country 'Tis of Thee" uses exactly the same tune the British anthem "God Save The Queen".

Overall this is one of the best patriotic albums I've ever heard.The reason I bought it however is the song God Bless America by Celine Dion.This is the most beautiful version of God Bless America I've ever heard with Celines voice and also an orchestra in the background.Also on this album is Lee Greenwoods God Bless The USA which is another favorite of mine and sounds good on this cd.Most of the other songs are good to especially amazing grace and also Frank Sinatras version of America The Beautiful.If you must have one patriotic album this is the one to buy.

This may be the most pointless review that could possibly be done at this time, but it is worth a mention anyway. If you are a true American with any heart at all, then you have to be affected by this collection of songs.

I am no fan of artists like Celine Dion and Mariah Carey, but hearing Celine's cover of "God Bless America" and Mariah's hit from several years back "Hero" is affecting in this context. Bruce Springsteen's 9-minute live version of "Land Of Hope and Dreams" is also about perfect here. "Amazing Grace" is beautfully done, as is "The Star Spangled Banner". You also have to love the inclusion of such classics as "Blowin' In The Wind" and "Lean On Me" as part of the whole theme presented here.

My personal favorite--and the biggest reason I bought this collection--is the inclusion of Lee Greenwood's "God Bless The U.S.A." Hearing that song at various points in the days after the September 11 tragedies nearly brought me to tears each time, and I woke up with the song in my head for a couple of weeks straight during that time. This is what it is all about in the spirit of patriotism.

The reviewer who have this collection one star and called it a "cash in" must be one cold and clueless person. Never mind the emotions the content of this collection brings; the proceeds go to the Twin Tower Funds! For any human being with a heart and patriotic spirit, this collection will make your day. An absolute must-have during these most trying times we are now in.

This CD is a big shot of adrenaline for America just when we need it. Plus, the money goes to help those affected by the World Trade Center bombing. The highlights are John Mellencamp's acoustic version of Peaceful World, Celine Dion's goose-bump inducing version of God Bless America and Sinatra singing America the Beautiful. The only disappointment is that they didn't include the haunting song that Bruce Springsteen performed on the tv telethon to raise money for the victims. Does anyone know the name of that song? I hope it gets released because it really seemed to capsulize the whole moment in one song. Please Bruce release it as a single soon!!!!

The only reason I bought this CD was because of Celine Dion's Moving Version of "God Bless America", after hearing her sing it on the memorial concert I just had to have it!! The cd has alot of tracks That have been previouly released and might have been better to have had some more mainsteam tracks but overall is a great cd. Some standout tracks being Billy Gillman's "Theres a Hero", Celine Dion's "God Bless America", "The Star Spangled Banner" and Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA"

When I heard the entire CD I thought everyone should own it. From the opening song "God Bless America" sung masterfully by Celine Dion, which sets the tone to the last song on the CD, I was in awe. A MUST HAVE.
I purchaed a couple of them to give for gifts. One problem I had when I went to get the extra copies of the CD at the store they were sold out and they are not re-stocking them very often. I bought a few from Amazon.com.