This is a recording of a live concert on the part of the War Child organization, which works to "alleviate the suffering of children caught up in the horrors of war." Originally, the proceeds of the concert/album/video/etc. were tagged to go to victims of the Guatemalan civil war, but upon the chaos in Kosovo,
Pavarotti decided to channel a spare million towards the Kosovars as well. What makes the concept interesting is the possibility inherent in collaborations between
Pavarotti and the various pop/rock/blues stars that joined him in the project. On "The Thrill Is Gone," he can be found giving simply the backing "aaaah, aaaah, aaaah, aaaah." In most other places, he does work more lyrically, often giving something of a translated Italian version of the English lyrics. The album finishes off with the requisite "We Are the World," making use of all of the artists involved. ~ Adam Greenberg