It's great to finally have a solid benefit album without it ending in Paul McCartney singing Let it Be at the end. These kind of albums are usually weak in points and disjointed throughout. On the contrary, this one is solid. It creates a mood that is consistent and is filled with good songs. The big names --Emmylou, Bruce, Nancy --do fine numbers (like The Pearl and Mines of Mozambique) but these blend in well with the other, lesser-known or 'classic' names. I highly recommend this album.
Back to Landmines, there are currently 152 countries that are signatories to the Treaty to Ban Landmines (http://www.icbl.org/ratification/). Conspicuous names missing are Iraq, Iran, China, and the United States.

This cd had a diverse song list, with different types of performers. It is beautiful and intimate compilation.

Emmy Lou Harris's stripped down version of "The Pearl" is very moving. Gillian Welch's and David Rawlings performance of "Morphine" is enchanting. With Gillian's heavenly voice and David's earthy sound, the song sometimes feels like a juxtaposition. This is especially effective since "Morphine" is about the singer's love and hate relationship with the narcotic.

Mary Chapin Carpenter's "This Shirt" is very touching. I appreciated the live version of this song for the clarity of the lyrics. This song has had little, if any, airplay and yet it is one MCC's best.

John Prine's lyrics were silly in "It's a Goofy World." Even though it took no poet to pen these lyrics, the song was fun and easy to sing along with. The inclusion of this song reminded me of Shakespearian tragedies that have short comedies interspersed. Although the album supposts a very serious cause, the song recognizes that we can't just focus on the World's sorrow. It is the joy in life that keeps us alive to fight for a better world.

Kris Kristofferson's voice has never sounded better. Steve Earle's "Christmas in Washington" has so many back up vocalists, at the end, that the song had a tinge of Gospel to it. Nanci Griffith's "Its a hard life," is fairly raucous. The backgound vocals made me feel as though I had a spiritual experience. The song "Mary," is lovely and made me long for my loved ones who have left this world.

The Landmine Concert does not rememble anything close to a slick studio recording. It's also not anything near the full band unplugged sound heard a few years back on the MTV series. What your getting is outstanding laid back intimate solos with minimal accompaniment. The highlight of highlights on this cd is Guy Clark, who has a flair for the dramatic with his trademark funny story singing on "Cold Dog Soup". I also like all the other performances. The only a slight letdown is Kristofferson's"Shipwrecked In The Eighties" because his singing voice has changed. If you like that clean acoustic guitar sound where you feel a performer like Emmylou Harris is playing in your living room, you'll find "Concerts For A Landmine Free World" to be a winner.

Although I haven't purchased this CD, I notice that Buddy and Julie Miller's "100 Million Little Bombs" is not on the list of titles. I can think of no more appropriate song for a CD titled "Concerts for a Landmine Free World".

I attended the first of these concerts at Stanford Univ. in Palo Alto, and it was one of the most awe-inspiring musical event I've ever experienced. This CD captures the heart and soul of this important crusade, and offers some of the most beautiful live performances by some of the best folk performers of our time. Patty Griffin's soul-stirring rendition of "Mary", recorded in Palo Alto, is worth the price of the CD alone.

If you're a fan of the soundtrack to "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?", then this CD - including incredible live performances by Emmy Lou Harris and Gillian Welsh - will be a welcome part of your contemporary folk collection.