This came out in 2001 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
Barely a month after it was recorded, here’s the soundtrack to the recent telethon held to raise funds for the victims of Sept. 11.
And even though it’s only a two-CD set, this 32-song offering has nearly all the highlights of the hours-long broadcast from Madison Square Garden. You’ve got most of Paul McCartney’s set, including the new cut Freedom; most of The Who’s thundering performance; full appearances from David Bowie, Bon Jovi, Mick and Keith, John Mellencamp and plenty of others; and even Adam Sandler’s Operaman bit. What you don’t got: Billy Crystal’s monologue and all the lengthy introductions from various stars and firefighters (although you do get to hear Mike Moran tell Osama to kiss his “royal Irish ass”). Aside from a few missteps — I would have sacrified James Taylor and Backstreet Boys for the Elton John / Billy Joel duet — this is a good package for a good cause.
