Delmark Goldfarb on CD with Springsteen, Seeger, Raitt, Bon Jovi, Others

Give Them Your Money: Give US Your Poor Benefit Disc Features Springsteen, Seeger, Raitt, Bon Jovi, Others
Fred Mills
July 22, 2007
Happy Sunday morning, HARPers, and thanks for stopping by for this little lecture. Getting your spare change together for the collection plates? Instead of lining the coffers of some already-flush congregation or parish, why not direct your funds towards an organization with a worthy, immediacy-driven goal—such as one that works to combat homelessness in America.
Need prompting? September 25 brings the release of Give US Your Poor on Appleseed Records, an all-star studded effort featuring the likes of Pete Seeger, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Madeleine Peyroux, Sonya Kitchell, Bonnie Raitt, Natalie Merchant, Michelle Shocked and Keb Mo (many in collaboration with currently or previously homeless musicians).
Proceeds go to Give US Your Poor, a national fund- and awareness-raising campaign for the homeless established by the University of Massachusetts Boston. Give US Your Poor brings together the latest research, multimedia, celebrities, non-celebrities, homeless people and partner organizations to help end homelessness.
From Springsteen and Seeger's rendition of the folk classic "Hobo's Lullaby" and Jon Bon Jovi and Mighty Sam McClain's inspirational "Show Me The Way" (not the Peter Frampton song) to Bonnie Raitt and Weepin' Willie Robinson's bluesy "Walking the Dog" and legendary a cappella group Sweet Honey in the Rock's "Stranger Blues," Give US Your Poor features 19 stirring tracks that showcase America's rich musical history. Other highlights include Natalie Merchant performing "There Is No Good Reason" with six formerly homeless musicians, Madeleine Peyroux's "I Think It's Going to Rain Today," actor/musician Tim Robbins' candid spoken excerpt "Impossible Boulevard" and opera singer Mario Frangoulis performing "Feels Like Home."
All but two of the tracks are exclusive to the album, which also includes a 28-page booklet that reveals the story behind the stories of the songs and performers and also presents a variety of affecting and exasperating 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.
***
"I started Appleseed to plant the seeds of social justice and bring attention to various social issues over the years," said Jim Musselman, president and founder of Appleseed Recordings, in a statement. "I hope this CD can help tear down the wall of misconception about the homeless and reverse their status as 'non-people.' And that we as a country can redirect our energies towards helping all citizens in need."

TRACKLISTING:
1. "Land of 10,000 Homeless - Minnesota" – audio documentary set to music
2. "Show Me the Way" – Jon Bon Jovi & Mighty Sam McClain
3. "Baby Don't Let Me Go Homeless" – Keb Mo & Eagle Park Slim
4. "There Is No Good Reason" – Natalie Merchant & Friends
5. "Hobo's Lullaby" – Bruce Springsteen & Pete Seeger
6. "So Lonely" – Sonya Kitchell
7. "Becky's Tune" – Michelle Shocked and Michael Sullivan
8. "Walking the Dog" – Bonnie Raitt & Weepin' Willie Robinson
9. "My Name Is Not 'Those People'" (spoken, with music) – Danny Glover
10. "I Think It's Going to Rain Today" – Madeleine Peyroux
11. "Portable Man" – Del Goldfarb & John Sebastian
12. "Boll Weevil" – Dan Zanes & Kyla Middleton
13. "Ink Falling (Father Outside)" – Buffalo Tom
14. "Stranger Blues" – Sweet Honey in the Rock
15. "1,000 Miles Away" * – Jewel
16. "Impossible Boulevard" (spoken excerpt, with music) – Tim Robbins
17. "Feels Like Home" – Mario Frangoulis
18. "When We Left Minneapolis (spoken, with music)" – Danny Glover
19. "Here and Now" * – Mark Erelli