The Umpteenth Journal Attempt

Speaking of music-related charity efforts for tsunami relief, it's a global thing, in case you hadn't noticed - most notably in the U.K., where they've just recorded a single ('Grief Never Grows Old') and are going to have a concert on the 22nd. The new version of 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' by Band Aid 20, meant to help end famine in Sudan, already came out late last year, and the quake and tsunami gave it an unfortunate irony, in the sense that it happened just after Christmas, and Sudan's famine - as unfortunate as it is - has become all but dwarved. In a musical sense, it's too bad all the cool acts already did the charity single thing, leaving us with the likes of Cliff Richard and Boy George for the new one. But as they said, all they're concerned with is raising money to help, which is all that matters. Plus you can't predict when tragedy happens, so Band Aid 20's for Sudan shouldn't be forgotten or placed in lesser regard.

As for the big, Live Aid-style charity gig (which, incidentally, was something that was rumoured to be in the works in conjunction with Band Aid 20), the confirmations have just started, and so far they include Eric Clapton, Feeder, Lemar, Snow Patrol, Badly Drawn Boy, Embrace, and Manic Street Preachers. Speaking of the Manics, they had a single called 'Tsunami' which they still play at their shows. It's not really about tsunamis (read the backstory here), but you can't help but wonder if singing "tsunami, tsunami came washing over me" would be entirely appropriate. But they're a smart band, so I'm sure they'll do the right thing, or at least come up with a valid reason to keep playing the song so the less-informed won't slag them for it.