Band Aid 1984

Bought the lastest "Do They Know It's Christmas?" CD single from HMV.. been ages since i bought a single... In the past, SINGLES meant heading down to Da Da Records, Valentines or even to Supreme Records to scout for the latest 7"/12" vinyl single. These days, it's all MP3...download..exchange...burn...store and play... all of a sudden, bootleggers' seem like a lame bunch...

The sticker on the cover read Brillant New Version of "Do They Know It's Christmas?"...kid me not.. after the first listen..it felt newer but brillant...nah.... Band Aid 20 had its stellar musicans on fine form (Thom Yoke, Jonny Greenwood,Paul McCartney...) but being nostagic, biased maybe..I felt the artiste from the Romantic era coming on top on this one.

The original familar bell chime at the start had been replaced by Thom's piano play; RadioHead..brillant it is....this regulated piano play..so so only. The thumping bass line from the original recording was gone...Paul's creative past is pale in comparison here...Hail to Adam Clayton ! I dont hear the authoritive drumming of Phil Collins duplicated... The clueless wah-wah effect solo towards the end would have made Hendrix sit up in his grave.

Despite the flaws..it's not too bad at some parts though....the Brian May-ish twin guitar sound is replicated to perfection..Hawkins's Darkness prevails.. The Dizzee Rascal rap was a nice touch too..

"Spare a thought this yuletide for the deprived. If the table was turned would you survive"

"You ain't gotta feel guilt just selfless. Give a little help to the helpless"

Well, every era must have its identity version i guess.. as usual me being always stuck to the past, have a stronger preference for the 84' version. The 89' version I can't recall and now the 04' version.

The largest, most original fund raising music aid for the Ethiopians have come full circle and I foresee that the 2004 version will be the last of the Band Aid series...

My Salute to Sir Bob Geldof and Mister Midge Ure.