Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Since its inception in 1987, producer Jimmy Iovine's A Very Special Christmas project has become the most remunerative series of benefit albums ever, raising more than $50m for the Special Olympics and providing training facilities for the developmentally disabled in over 140 countries. So, kudos to all concerned for that, though one should add a small caveat when considering this fifth entry in the series, which is almost entirely bereft of any compelling reason to purchase, save charity alone. In the first place, the bulk of the contributors are distinctly B-list, with only Stevie Wonder wielding the sort of completist collectability factor that this type of compilation needs to attract punters (by contrast, the first volume in the series featured Springsteen, Madonna and U2, amongst others). Secondly, the strategy of having the same studio band back most of the singers results in some clumsy mismatches, as when Macy Gray's routine run through "This Christmas (Hang All The Mistletoe)" is overlarded with flatulent horns and careless backing vocals. Thirdly, extemporising the chorus "Ooh, I like Christmas" over "The First Noël", as nu-metal punks Eve 6 do here, adds nothing to the original. Fourthly, well, the only tracks worth a second hearing are Dido's "Christmas Day", a fake pastorale on the theme of the wandering stranger in midwinter, and Stevie Wonder and Wyclef Jean's duet on "Merry Christmas Baby", a live performance illuminated by Stevie's natural grace. Otherwise, it's slim pickings indeed.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments