Covers albums seem to be the best way to raise money for charity these days. While Dublin's own Sound Training Centre have roped in top Irish bands to record covers of their favourite artists in aid of Aware, some world class artists are doing the same to raise money for climate change projects and natural disaster relief around the globe.
The Rolling Stones, The Killers, Amy Winehouse and Fall Out Boy are among the acts to team up with Cuban band Rhythms Del Mundo, on an album entitled "Classics," featuring, as it does, classic songs from the likes of Michael Jackson and The Eagles. The album was inspired by the 2005 tsunami in the Indian Ocean, and follows a previous charitable collaboration of Rhythms Del Mundo with Coldplay.
The Killers are to take on The Eagles' classic "Hotel California", Amy Winehouse will sing Sam Cooke's "Cupid," Fall Out Boy get together with John Mayer to cover Michael Jackson's "Beat It," and best of all, The Rolling Stones will tackle The Drifters' "Under The Boardwalk." No news yet on when this album will be released.
Meanwhile, on our little island, Bell X1, Republic of Loose and Lisa Hannigan are among those Irish acts to record covers for a charity compilation, recording by student of the Sound Training Centre in aid of Aware, a voluntary organisation that aims to combat depression. The album will be called "Sparks N' Minds" and is due for release on June 12th on 1969 records. The excellent tracklist is below:
The Flaws - Killing Moon (Echo & The Bunnymen)
Ham Sandwich - Stay (Shakespeare's Sister)
Republic Of Loose - God Moves On The Water (Blind Willie Johnson)
Damien Dempsey - The Heckler From Grouse Hall (Christy Moore)
Dave Couse - Caroline, No (The Beach Boys)
Lisa Hannigan - Courting Blues (Nick Drake)
Le Galaxie - Maneater (Hall & Oates)
Cowboy X - Gigantic (Pixies)
Dirty Epics - Glory Box (Portishead)
The Thrills - Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me (The Smiths)
Bell X1 - No Retreat, No Surrender (Bruce Springsteen)
