A Better World

SONGS FOR A BETTER PLANET – VARIOUS ARTISTS
©2005 by Dianne Wells, an independent music journalist living in Newfoundland. Copy of original text

This subtly engaging collection of songs gives new meaning to the term, “global warming”.  Mainstream music listeners won’t find anything musically or politically offensive here and may even be encouraged to join the movement.  That being said, it won’t appeal to listeners who prefer edgier instrumentation or to cynics who have developed a “full speed ahead for destruction” attitude towards the world in general.

Environmentally-friendly producer Brian Gladstone, Director of The Association for a Better World, a non-profit organization, has consistently taken time out from his own musical career as a singer-songwriter-guitarist to expose and promote the music of other people who are similarly-minded.  He has a knack for selecting the cream of the crop, too, adding to the group of accomplished female recording artists that appeared on his Songs for Peace compilation CD.  All proceeds from CD sales are donated to Earth Day Canada.

Songs for a Better Planet is not entirely comprised of offerings from the fairer sex, either, but there is a better-than-average representation, both Canadian and American.  Their voices are diverse in their songwriting and instrumental expression, but they are united in their dedication to resolving their environmental and humanitarian concerns.

There is a good variety of genres, too, ranging from acoustic blues and roots to bluegrass as well as more high-end productions such as “Rescue” by Liquid Blue.  While the lyrics fit the topic, it’s a bit too jarring compared to the rest of the low-key numbers.

The numerous achievements to date by this musical collective can be readily obtained by visiting each performer’s website.  These are obviously all serious musicians who have learned to market their product accordingly and appropriately.  This knowledge makes their potential for even greater success limitless.

There were a number of songs here that I was particularly pleased with – the opening track, “Our World”, performed by Kate MacDonald, of Miramichi, New Brunswick, “Global Warming Blues” by Lenny Solomon, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, “Earth Mother” by Beliss (a.k.a. Melissa Underwood), of Portland, Oregon, “Pesticide” by (Ms.) Terry Winchell, of Water Mill, New York, and the funky-reggae “Reverence and Ridicule” by Layah Jane of Toronto, Ontario.  The latter’s vocals wonderfully recall Molly Johnson, Nelly Furtado and Ricky Lee Jones all at once.

“Moving Mountains”, by Amilia K. Spicer, originally a Pennsylvania country girl and now resident in L.A., was my overall favourite, both vocally and instrumentally, on this dreamy lullaby-like track.  She’s a singer I could easily imagine doing a complementary duet with Daniel Lanois.  First Nations Vancouverite singer Sandy Scofield is a stark contrast to Amilia, taking a much more forthright approach in her vocal expression, but she’s got the lung-power to make it effective.

Toronto-based music fans who have followed Brian Gladstone’s own recording career will recognize the final track, “Save the Wolverine”, and might think its inclusion here to be a bit self-serving.  Still, it’s an excellent musical performance and a composition that fits the overall theme of respecting nature, including those from the animal kingdom.

The artists appearing here were selected from hundreds of submissions received from around the world.  This had me wondering why only North American ones were selected for the final compilation, but perhaps it just wasn’t a cost-effective venture, distribution-wise.  Perhaps a more international compilation is in the works.  With Brian, there’s no telling what his next brilliant strategy will be in his quest for world peace!  Oh, but wait - he's now taking submissions for Protest Songs for a Better World.CD-Beschreibung: Peace Songs For A Better World

.