"I have always believed that music can help bring people together.  It’s crucial now that we all unite to help our friends in the Gulf Coast put their lives back together."

— James Blunt

Who gives a FUCK what James Blunt has to say about hurricane relief.  Isn’t that like quoting Samkon Gado, the wannabe doctor who filled in as running back for the Green Bay Packers last weekend, on the bombings in Amman?

In case you missed the memo, James Blunt’s album is the biggest in the U.K. this year.  Nobody wanted the man.  The ex-soldier who helped carry the Queen Mother’s coffin in her funeral procession.  But Linda Perry signed him to her label and the song "You’re Beautiful" blew up and James is a household word in England right now.

But he doesn’t mean shit in the U.S.  And Atlantic Records is pissed about this.  SO, they pulled a Jimmy Iovine and under the rubric of charity are promoting one of their priorities.  Just like Jimmy featured Enrique Iglesias in that 9/11 Heros telecast (never mind a host of other Universal talent).

Now it would be one thing if "Sound Response", the Target CD for hurricane relief, was peopled by wannabes.  But the record contains the work of such minor artists as…Coldplay, the Dave Matthews Band, the Goo Goo Dolls, Green Day, Kelly Clarkson, Radiohead, Rob Thomas, Kelly Clarkson…  I mean wouldn’t ANY American rather hear what southerner Dave Matthews has to say about hurricane relief?  And, if you want a Brit, isn’t Chris Martin the man?  Who has spoken out on politics previously?

The scumbags at Warner maneuvered backstage to get THEIR artist featured.  You’ve got to know there’s a story.  Not one you’ll ever read in "Billboard".  Never mind "Hits".

In case you missed it, in last Sunday’s New York and Los Angeles "Times", there were FULL PAGE ads for "Sound Response".  The ad was split into three parts.  In the middle there was a picture of a flooded New Orleans.  On the bottom, there were the details of the record.  And a notation that 100% of the revenue would be donated to the Red Cross.  And, in the top third, in a giant white space, was the above quote from James Blunt.

Makes me wanna puke.  These pricks don’t care about charity.  They just care about lining their own pockets.

It’s these duplicitous fucks who cry that people are stealing the music.  Even though they won’t sell it to them in a way they want to consume it.  It’s these assholes who are shoving crap product down our throats in every medium known to man.  And, we’re supposed to cut THEM some slack?

Used to be people purchased records because they BELIEVED in them.  Executives were midwives to the birth of artifacts that touched people’s souls.  The audience trusted the acts.  But all the soul has been eviscerated as major labels say their hands are tied, by marketing costs and an unsympathetic public.  I say great music sells itself.  And I can’t wait until people who work for the love of music who sell stuff people can believe in regain control and these bastards are sent out to pasture.