Worldwide: Instant Karma - Lennon covers released on iTunes
Double CD for Amnesty with U2, Avril Lavigne, R.E.M., Aerosmith, Christina Aguilera, Green Day, The Cure, Youssou N’Dour and 20 others to follow
Amnesty’s new global Darfur petition coincides with digital launch
Some of the biggest names in music from across the globe have come together to raise money for Amnesty International and awareness of the organisation’s work - especially in relation to the current human rights crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan.
An array of over 30 international stars - including U2, Avril Lavigne, R.E.M, Aerosmith, Christina Aguilera, Green Day, The Cure, Snow Patrol and Youssou N’Dour - have recorded exclusive versions of iconic songs from the John Lennon back catalogue, while Yoko Ono has generously donated all music publishing royalties to the cause.
Speaking about the campaign, Yoko Ono said:
“It’s wonderful that, through this campaign, music which is so familiar to many people of my era will now be embraced by a whole new generation. John’s music set out to inspire change, and in standing up for human rights, we really can make the world a better place.”
Meanwhile, Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International, said:
“We're thrilled to be using John Lennon's songs in our human rights work. We hope this music will bring an awareness of human rights to a new generation. After all, human rights are what make music possible - we wouldn't be able to create music, listen to it or dance to it without freedom of speech, expression, and association.”
All 38 tracks wil be available through the iTunes music store on Tuesday 12 June (with 98% of proceeds going to Amnesty International), while the 28-track double CD album will be released on 25 June on Warner Bros. Records. Download the tracks now from iTunes
At the same time, Amnesty International has launched a global petition on Darfur to coincide with the digital releases. The petition calls on the Sudanese government to allow a new peacekeeping force to the crisis-hit region, as well as for the Khartoum authorities to halt indiscriminate bombings of villages, to disarm a regional militia (the Janjawid) and to enforce an arms embargo. The petition can also be accessed at: www.amnesty.org/noise /p>
Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign To Save Darfurtrack list:
Disc 1
1. U2 - Instant Karma
2. R.E.M - #9 Dream
3. Christina Aguilera - Mother
4. Aerosmith ft. Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars - Give Peace A Chance
5. Lenny Kravitz - Cold Turkey
6. The Cure - Love
7. Corinne Bailey Rae - I’m Losing You
8. Jakob Dylan ft Dhani Harrison - Gimme Some Truth
9. Jackson Browne - Oh My Love
10. The Raveonettes - One Day At A Time
11. Avril Lavigne - Imagine
12. Big & Rich - Nobody Told Me
13. Eskimo Joe - Mind Games
14. Youssou N’Dour - Jealous Guy
Disc 2
1. Green Day - Working Class Hero
2. Black Eyed Peas - Power To The People
3. Jack Johnson - Imagine
4. Ben Harper - Beautiful Boy
5. Snow Patrol - Isolation
6. Matisyahu - Watching The Wheels
7. The Postal Service - Grow Old With Me
8. Jaguares - Gimme Some Truth
9. The Flaming Lips - (Just Like) Starting Over
10. Jack’s Mannequin ft. Mick Fleetwood - God
11. Duran Duran - Instant Karma
12. a-ha - #9 Dream
13. Toyio Hotel - Instant Karma
14. Regina Spektor - Real Love
Additional tracks available exclusively via iTunes:
Gavin Rossdale - Mind Games
The Deftones - Jealous Guy
Ben Jelen - Woman
Meshell Ndegeocello - Imagine
Rocky Dawuni - Well Well Well
OAR - Borrowed Time
Widespread Panic - Crippled Inside
Emmanuel Jal - Mother
Fab Faux - I Don’t Wanna Face It
Yellowcard - Oh My Love