The Help Album

The Help Album is a 1995 charity album, bringing together many contemporary British and Irish artists, with all proceeds going to the War Child charity's aid efforts in war-torn Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Related Topics:
1995 - Charity album - British - Irish - War Child - Bosnia and Herzegovina

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The concept of the album was inspired by John Lennon's comments about Instant Karma, that he wanted records to be like newspapers and be released as soon as they are recorded. Help was recorded on the Monday (4th Spetember), mixed on the Tuesday and in the shops on the Saturday.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The album is notable for creating the new 'supergroup' The Smokin' Mojo Filters - comprised of Paul Weller, Paul McCartney, Noel Gallagher and Steve Craddock of Ocean Colour Scene - to do a version of The Beatles' "Come Together".

Related Topics:
The Smokin' Mojo Filters - Paul Weller - Paul McCartney - Noel Gallagher - Steve Craddock - Ocean Colour Scene - The Beatles

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Other notable tracks are a cover of "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head", which marked the Manic Street Preachers' return to recording after the disappearance of Richey Edwards, and the first appearance of the Radiohead song "Lucky", which was to later appear on OK Computer. Suede also contributed a spectacular cover of Elvis Costello's "Shipbuilding".

Related Topics:
Manic Street Preachers - Richey Edwards - Radiohead - OK Computer - Suede - Elvis Costello

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As the makers of the album were putting the final touches to the album, a courier arrived with a tape. It was Sinéad O'Connor's version of "Ode To Billy Joe". In theory the song had arrived too late for inclusion in the album, but the producers were so impressed with her haunting rendition that they felt they had to include the song.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The album's sleeve notes included a contribution from former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic. It reached Number One in the UK album charts and in all raised £1.25million for War Child.

Related Topics:
Sleeve notes - Nirvana - Krist Novoselic - UK album charts

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A follow-up album was released in 2005, titled '.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~