Songs for Japan

A concert fundraiser would have been the best bet as in Concert For Bangladesh way back in the ’70s. You get the cash quick after the show and although Japan is better off than most countries in the world today, every little bit can help in its recovery process. But then that would have taken a long time to put together and the Japanese people need all the help they can get NOW.

I am also sure that many big stars sent over their own contributions to those affected by the earthquake, the ensuing tsunami and the still spreading radiation. But to help proclaim the solidarity of the music industry, which I must add is also experiencing hard times, nothing beats releasing a CD like it did with Live Aid for the farmers or We Are The World for Africa.

An album of new materials would have also been nice and I am sure that Bob Dylan or Lady Gaga or Lady Antebellum could have come up with beautiful new songs. Remember how historic was the We Are The World recording. But then again, that would have taken a long time. Imagine how much time it would take between getting the artists, the songwriting, the recording and getting the CD packed and ready off to the stores. Anyway, this or the concert can still be done at any time.

And so an album it is with the major music labels, Sony, Warner, Universal and EMI putting the CD together. This means getting tracks from the big names, asking them to waive those royalties and then hand these over instead to the Japanese Red Cross. Not much when you think that the album costs only P615 here in the Philippines. But when you have the likes of Madonna or Justin Timberlake on board, these can add up to quite a sum.

And so here it is, Songs For Japan, a double-disc collection containing 37 cuts. I know you might already have some of these songs in other CDs, Save Me by Nicki Minaj, Love The Way You Lie by Eminem featuring Rihanna, One Tribe by the Black Eyed Peas or Irreplaceable by Beyoncé. But then nothing beats opening an album with Imagine by John Lennon. That is always a thrill. Then some versions used are available only in this CD like the extended Starsmith Remix of Born This Way by Lady Gaga or the live Miles Away by Madonna and Awake by Josh Groban.

Besides, those you bought earlier were of no help to Japan. So getting a copy of this one allows you to help and gives you a lot of hits in one album. So do not tell me you are not buying. Do not tell me you have not worn out your copy of Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me by Elton John or Firework by Katy Perry or Waiting On The World To Change by John Mayer. And admit it, listening to these songs one after the other with that context in mind imbues new meanings to all them. Don’t we all feel so fortunate? And don’t we wish the people of Japan a gorgeous a Sunrise as the one Norah Jones sings in the final track.

At times like these when our prayers become more fervent than usual, let us take another look at what a beautiful, unknown soul wrote after the tragedy: Lord, I just want to say THANK YOU. Because this morning I woke up and knew where my children were. Because this morning my home was still standing/ because this morning I am not crying/ because my spouse, my child, my brother or sister, my parent does not need to be buried/ or to be pulled out from underneath a pile of concrete/ because this morning I was able to drink a glass of water/ because this morning I was able to turn on the light/ because this morning I was able to take a shower/ because this morning I was not planning a funeral/ Because most of all, I thank you this morning because I still have life and a voice to cry out for the people of Japan.

Have a blessed Easter.