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Artist News Releases
War Child releases four of its all-star albums on vinyl
By Chris Cooke | Published on Friday 8 April 2022
The charity War Child has announced that it is releasing limited edition vinyl versions of four albums it put together in the 2000s, which between them include music from the likes of Muse, Stereophonics, Oasis, George Michael, Avril Lavigne, Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Coldplay, Radiohead, Gorillaz, Manic Street Preachers, Beck, Keane, Lily Allen, Elbow and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
War Child, of course, has had a long partnership with the music community as part of its fund-raising efforts, beginning with the release of ‘The Help Album’ in 1995. It has released a number of other records since then, each featuring music donated by an eclectic mix of artists.
The albums being released on vinyl today are ‘1 Love’, originally released in 2002 in partnership with the NME; ‘Hope’, the result of a tie-up with the Daily Mirror in 2003; ‘Help! A Day In The Life’, recorded on one day and released the next in 2005, to mark the tenth anniversary of ‘The Help Album’; and ‘Heroes’ from 2009, in which music legends were invited to nominate a newer act to cover one of their songs.
Profits from the sale of the vinyl version of these records will fund War Child projects around the world, including in Ukraine. The official statement accompanying the new releases outlines the work the charity has been doing in and around that country since the Russian invasion.
“When conflict broke out in Ukraine, War Child were quick to respond”, it explains. “Their teams are already on the ground working to understand the impact on children and supporting local volunteers and non-governmental organisations who operate in the border regions to Ukraine to get children vital aid and psychological care – fast”.
“Here, millions of children and families are seeking refuge”, it goes on, “arriving with little more than the clothes on their backs, and little access to food, water and shelter. By purchasing these classic albums fans are supporting War Child to reach children in Ukraine and conflict zones around the world and give them the vital protection, education and psychosocial support they require”.
On the re-release of the four albums, Rich Clarke, who heads up the charity’s own label, says: “We are delighted to make this fantastic collection of music available to a new generation of fans and get these incredible songs, donated through the generosity of the artist community, raising vital funds for War Child’s life saving work again”.
“There are some amazing tracks that haven’t been heard for decades, like George Michael’s cover of Don McLean’s ‘The Grave’ or Lily Allen covering ‘Straight To Hell’ with Mick Jones on guitar and backing vocals”, he adds. “We’re incredibly proud to put these important albums out on vinyl for the first time with limited black, yellow and red releases”.
“The need for War Child’s work has never been greater”, he goes on. “10.7 million children in Ukraine are living in a terrifying crisis, and millions more across the world are still in need of critical support because of conflict. By purchasing one of these limited edition vinyl releases you can help make a difference”.
You can buy the vinyl versions of these albums from the War Child Records store here.
