VARIOUS ARTISTS: Give US Your Poor

Various Artists

Give US Your Poor

© 2007 Appleseed Recordings (611587110329)

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

17 exclusive new tracks by Bruce Springsteen & Pete Seeger, Jon Bon Jovi, Madeleine Peyroux, Bonnie Raitt, and other stars, many in collaboration with currently or formerly homeless musicians, on benefit CD to fight homelessness.

notes

Two years in the making, this fund-raising CD created by Appleseed Recordings and the national Give US Your Poor organization at UMass Boston’s McCormack Graduate School brings together established musicians, socially committed actors and currently or previously homeless musicians in a collection of mostly exclusive new recordings that address the ongoing crisis of homelessness in America. There are frequent collaborations between the stars, who donated their time and music, and their formerly or currently homeless brethren on songs that often reflect on existence without guaranteed lodging, food, and the simple necessities of human existence.

There is a broad spectrum of artists, genres and styles represented on "Give US Your Poor" that makes the CD a moving, engrossing, and enjoyable, as well as educational, experience. Among the high-profile performers:

• Bruce Springsteen and Pete Seeger join together for a second time (they also share a track on Appleseed’s new "Sowing the Seeds" label compilation) to perform the folk classic, “Hobo’s Lullaby.”

• Jon Bon Jovi represents the “arena rock” camp, pairing up with the formerly indigent Mighty Sam McClain on the rousing, gospel-inflected “Show Me the Way” (not the Peter Frampton song).

• For the AAA/Starbucks crowd, there are new tracks from the latest sophisticated, jazz-influenced and popular female singer-songwriters – Madeleine Peyroux and Sonya Kitchell – and from their more established musical sisters, including Bonnie Raitt (performing a rowdy version of “Walking the Dog” with bluesman Weepin’ Willie Robinson), Natalie Merchant (surrounded by six veterans of homelessness), Michelle Shocked, and Jewel.

• Other contributors include bluesman Keb’ Mo’, the famed political/gospel a cappella group Sweet Honey in the Rock, acclaimed “kid’s music” rocker Dan Zanes, newly revived indie band Buffalo Tom, opera singer Mario Frangoulis (performing Randy Newman’s “Feels Like Home”), and actor/activists Tim Robbins [PARENTAL/AIRPLAY ADVISORY – Tim’s track contains a profanity) and Danny Glover.
• You will also hear music by and read about those whom society has tried to ignore, such as teenager Nichole Cooper and 11-year-old Kyla Middleton, formerly homeless military veterans Michael Sullivan and Weepin’ Willie, and outspoken poet/advocate Julia K. Dinsmore, whose two contributions are read by Danny Glover.

The 28-page booklet accompanying Give US You Poor not only contains “the story behind the stories” of these songs and performers, but also presents an array of heartbreaking and infuriating statistics:
• In the course of any given year, 3.5 million Americans are homeless.
• Homeless shelters in 27 major cities turn down 37% of individuals and 52% of families due to overcrowding.
• 41% of all homeless are families
• One out of four homeless is a child under the age of 10.
• 43% of the homeless work.

About APPLESEED RECORDINGS:
The independent, internationally distributed Appleseed Recordings was founded in 1997 for the purpose of keeping traditional folk music alive, giving voice to significant new musicians, and providing an outlet for worthy projects such as "Give US Your Poor." Almost all of the profits raised by this release will be donated to organizations benefiting the homeless; Appleseed donates a portion of its profits from many of its CDs to environmental, human rights, and other progressive organizations.


About Give US Your Poor:
The Give US Your Poor mission is to create a revolution in public awareness, dispel myths and inspire action towards ending epidemic homelessness in the United States. It works to affect change at the policy level, engage volunteerism and contributions at the individual and corporate levels through media and education, and to funnel support to partner homeless organizations. Give US Your Poor, established in 1999, is part of the University of Massachusetts Boston’s McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies. Most of the profits from this CD will go to the Give US Your Poor Campaign to End Homelessness, a not-for-profit organization. CDs are available to homeless organizations at cost for use as fundraising tools.

reviews

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  • Give Us Your Poor
    author: Dick Knight

    I thought this was excellent in every respect. I volunteer at a soup kitchen in a major city and found it inspiring and a good motivational tool in starting a music program. Every participant deserves great credit for his / her contribution.

  • Give us Your Poor
    author: Sammy

    An excellent album that I've listened to again and again since I bought it. Good messages set to good tunes with outstanding performers

  • Give Us Your Poor
    author: Susan Bascom

    A co-worker lent me this album & after listening a couple times, I knew I had to own it. All the artists are great, but Kyla Middleton touched my heart - she has an amazing voice! Thank you all for your music and your commitment to end homelessness.

  • author: Marlene Bitencourt

    The CD is simply amazing. The union of several voices for a great cause. I bought because of Mario Frangoulis, I love this singer, but to hear the other singers I was impressed. Perfect. Congratulations to all.

  • author: Marlene Bitencourt

    The CD is simply amazing. The union of several voices for a great cause. I bought because of Mario Frangoulis, I love this singer, but to hear the other singers I was impressed. Perfect. Congratulations to all.

  • Give us your Poor
    author: Mary Ann Newman

    Excellent. Gave one as a Christams gift and the other one that We were going to keep was taken by another relative, so we have to order a couple more. Good cause, excellent music and statistics make you think of the need in our society.

  • Thoughtful music
    author: Peg Houle

    My son and I listened together and talked about the lives we heard about. The music is beautiful and the lyrics so thought-provoking. I'm so glad I bought this CD. Thank you.

  • author: Sheila Sullivan

    This is a great cd for a great cause..makes a perfect holiday gift..track 10 is just beautiful

  • Great Music For A Great Cause
    author: Shannon Smith

    I found this CD while cruising around the Sweet Honey in the Rock web site. I'm glad I bought it. The spoken voice piece at the beginning is incredibly moving. I like the jazz and blues pieces better than the folk pieces, but the whole thing is good. It's a compilation I will enjoy again and again and I will be buying more copies to give as gifts.

  • Awesome!
    author: Mary in Maryland

    What a great collection of artists and music - and for such a deserving cause. It's hard to imagine the plight of the homeless, but the empathy I felt listening to these tracks caused me to want to make a real difference in perhaps just one life of a needy person this holiday season.

  • Give Us Your Poor
    author: Dana Kowalski

    We saw Natalie Merchant as the Person of the Week on the World News with Charles Gibson and after watching her story and seeing what a great thing she is doing for the homeless along with the others who are helping her, my husband and I decided we needed to buy this music cd. After receiving it and listening to it, we realized what a great beat it has a love to keep listening to it over and over as we travel around San Antonio, Texas. Thank you for giving us this GREAT music!!! Dana & Ken Kowalski

  • Give Us Your Poor
    author: Jacqueline Rogers

    I really enjoyed most all of the CD, Even though I cried at the beginning. But hearing the reason behind the CD was awesome. Everyone needs to get this CD and check it out. The money spent is for a great cause.. A Brother or Sister in need!

  • Give us your poor
    author: carol pearce

    An amazing collection of diverse voices - several songs were standouts and as many were not. Half the fun was the approach the musicians took to the theme.

  • Give US Your Poor
    author: DianneS

    Most of the tracks were very enjoyable. We sat, listened, checked the album notes to find out who we were listening to, and finally decided that this album is one of the gifts I'm giving my siblings this Christmas. Thank you!

  • Give Us Your Poor
    author: Bill Renwick

    Great artists,doing something different, for a great cause. Get your money out & buy it.

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