Cape Town 03 - George 05 - Arctic 05 - Johannesburg 07 - Hyde Park 08 (UK)
“Ever since taking part in the launch of the 46664 campaign in 2003, I have been inspired to commit myself to trying to make a beneficial contribution in the struggle against HIV AIDS.
As Madiba says… “This is a fundamental human rights issue.” My earnest wish is to see positive changes in personal, political and social response with regards to prevention and treatment. The scale of the effects of the pandemic is staggering. If it were taking place in wealthy western countries we would be in a state of total emergency.
How much longer can we allow the genocidal wipeout to continue?
Twenty years ago, Eurythmics performed at London’s Wembley stadium in honour of Mr Mandela’s birthday. At that time, he was still incarcerated in Robben Island, and no one from the “outside” had seen him in years. Who would have believed that this most exceptional man would emerge from prison, to not only become president of his country, but also to successfully prevent the outbreak of a civil war, and in doing so, create a new democratic system, where EVERYONE was entitled to participate.
I believe that the Free Nelson Mandela concert contributed in a significant way to the build up of international awareness of the unacceptability of the evils of apartheid, and the collective demand for change.
Under systems of social and political injustice and oppression, the communicating force of music has always carried information and messages.
It is a specific channel for collective inspiration, focus and expression.
It is the ultimate vehicle for consciousness shifting. Madiba understands this very well indeed. That is why he has called on the music world to help him convey the message that an unspeakable genocide has been taking place in his country and across the entire Sub Saharan continent for almost two decades. It is down to us to spread the word in every way we can.
How many more millions must die until we can respond effectively to the pandemic of HIV Aids? How many more generations must be wiped out? The issue is complex, but essentially it’s a simple choice. Do we turn away and deny what is taking place, or do we attempt to do something?
In November of 2003, I had the privilege of performing at the launch of the 46664 Foundation in Cape Town. Subsequently I appeared at two more events at George in South Africa, and Tromsø in Norway.
The fifth 46664 concert is now about to happen on World Aids Day. I only wish the battle against the virus was being won...tragically…it is escalating.
Please become active and participate with us. You ARE the change.”
"I feel closer to my own cutting edge now, than ever before." Annie Lennox
Multi-million selling, iconic artist Annie Lennox will release her fourth solo album, Songs Of Mass Destruction, on 1st October through RCA Label Group. The first single to be taken from the eagerly awaited album will be the wonderful and mesmerising Dark Road.
The album was recorded in LA with veteran producer Glen Ballard (of 'Jagged Little Pill' fame), marking a change from her long and fruitful association with producer Steve Lipson.
In a career that has spanned over 25 years, including the 15 years since Annie released her first solo album, Diva, no other British female artist has achieved so much. Over 78 million sales across the globe, and 33 hit singles compliment the 4 Grammies, 11 BRITS, 5 Ivor Novellos, the Oscar, and the 2 Golden Globes amongst other accolades.
Songs Of Mass Destruction showcases an artist not afraid of pushing boundaries. Annie delivers intelligent thought provoking lyrics matched with an adult pop sound. The result, from the haunting introductory song, Dark Road to the closing epic, Fingernail Moon, is a sumptuous musical soundscape within which Annie's voice shines and soars.
In addition to her artistic achievements, Annie is a celebrated activist and humanitarian. The new album features the powerful feminist anthem Sing, born out of Annie's involvement with Nelson Mandela's 46664 and Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) - organisations fighting for human rights, education and health care for those affected by the HIV AIDS virus. Sing features 23 of the most recognised and successful female solo artists in the world, invited by Annie, to raise awareness and finances for TAC initiatives. Included among the group are TAC activist members own vocal group known as "The Generics", whose CD of music inspired Annie to make Sing a reality.
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ANNIE LENNOX
‘SING’(REMIXES)
FEATURING GUEST VOCALS FROM
MADONNA | CELINE DION | P!NK | SHAKIRA | KT TUNSTALL | DIDO
FAITH HILL | FERGIE | SUGABABES | BETH ORTON | BONNIE RAITT
MARTHA WAINWRIGHT | JOSS STONE | MELISSA ETHERIDGE
ANGELIQUE KIDJO | BEVERLEY KNIGHT | K.D LANG | SHINGAI SHONIWA GLADYS KNIGHT | ISOBEL CAMPBELL| SARAH McLACHLAN
RAZOR AND TIE
HOT REMIXES FROM MOTO BLANCO, DEAN COLEMAN, HARRY “CHOO CHOO” RIMEREZ AND ANNIE LENNOX & NITIN SAWHNEY
Annie Lennox has teamed up with 23 of the world’s most acclaimed female superstar voices for the charity record Sing, to raise money and awareness for the HIV/AIDS organisation, Treatment Action Campaign (TAC). The original track, already available to download through all online retailers; will be accompanied by special remixes available from SATURDAY 1st DECEMBER – WORLD AIDS DAY. The track is taken from Annie’s new album Songs of Mass Destruction released this week.
Annie Lennox recently spent 2 weeks in South Africa with the TAC, recording the real situation millions are facing every day, so the people unaware of the pandemic might gain some understanding. There are few resources to help medicate sufferers or educate the people about the prevention of HIV/AIDS. The trip will be documented across online, TV and print media produced by Annie Lennox herself.
Included among the group of superstar voices are TAC local activist members own vocal group, known as “The Generics”, whose CD of social / political activist songs inspired Annie to make Sing a reality. Annie then personally approached each of the female artists by letter and the recordings were made all over the world in each artist local studio over the spring of 2007.
TAC was founded on 10 December 1998 in Cape Town, South Africa. They campaign for treatment for people with HIV and to reduce new HIV infections. Their efforts have resulted in many life-saving interventions, including the implementation of country-wide mother-to-child transmission prevention and antiretroviral treatment programmes. The TAC also runs a treatment literacy campaign: this is a training programme on the science of HIV treatment and prevention.
The TAC's objectives are as follows:
• Campaign for equitable access to affordable treatment for all people with HIV/AIDS.
• Campaign for and support the prevention and elimination of all new HIV infections.
• Promote and sponsor legislation to ensure equal access to social services for and equal treatment of all people with HIV/AIDS.
• Challenge by means of litigation, lobbying, advocacy and all forms of legitimate social mobilisation, any barrier or obstacle, including unfair discrimination, that limits access to treatment for HIV/AIDS in the private and public sector.
• Educate, promote and develop an understanding and commitment within all communities of developments in HIV/AIDS treatment.
• Campaign for access to affordable and quality health care for all people in South Africa.
• Train and develop a representative and effective leadership of people living with HIV/AIDS on the basis of equality and non-discrimination irrespective of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, sex, socio-economic status, nationality, marital status or any other ground.
• Campaign for an effective regional and global network comprising of organisations with similar aims and objectives.
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SONGS OF MASS DESTRUCTION
Introduction by Alan Jackson
As one of the most iconic and respected women in contemporary public life, Annie Lennox is also one of the most beloved and inspirational artists within popular culture.
In an artistic career that has already spanned over 25 years, she has consistently pushed boundaries and embraced excellence, creating music that has become an integral part of the soundtrack to our lives.
She has also achieved global album sales in excess of 78 million and has been recognised with a plethora of awards, among them Grammys, Brits (she has received more than any other female artist), a Golden Globe and an Oscar for her song Into The West, from The Lord of the Rings.
Described as “the greatest living white soul singer” by VH1, she is also a respected humanitarian and a role model to millions of women worldwide. No wonder then that the arrival of new material from Lennox is always a cause for eager anticipation and celebration.
For her to say that she feels her forthcoming solo album represents her finest work to date will raise expectation to the highest level possible.
Due for an Autumn 2007 release, she says that it’s the closest she’s been so far to that authentically raw and emotional place, infused with the contrasts of beauty, yearning and sadness.
“I feel closer to my own cutting edge than ever before, and my voice seems to be in it’s prime”.
It’s a paradoxically uplifting, yet troubling piece of work, as the listener will discover. After a long and fruitful association with Steve Lipson, it marks her first collaboration with veteran producer Glenn Ballard.
The album was recorded in his LA studio The HIgh Window.
“I was looking for a different approach, and was introduced to Glen socially via Dave (Stewart),” she says. “He’s a wonderful person, and someone who I felt instinctively might understand me rather well musically. He’s a positive influence and facilitated my own creativity in a very natural way. Working with Glen was a total pleasure.”
Lennox brought preliminary work with her to their introductory sessions which she had recorded in London with long-time musical director Mike Stevens.
“Just sketchings-out of songs I’d written with no particular concept in mind. Glenn loved them, and felt they should be performed and recorded with a live band, track by track.”
The result, from the haunting introductory song, “Dark Road” to the closing epic, “Fingernail Moon”, is a sumptuous musical soundscape within which Annie’s soulful voice shines and soars.
That there is a strong female perspective running through all of these new songs is no accident.
“What’s it like to be a woman in rock”? was a recurring question in my early career, and I always felt too patronised by it to want to give a direct answer. Now I realise that being a woman has made for a totally different experience to the majority of the opposite sex in music. I’ve lived this (musical) life and inhabited this space long enough to feel I can definitely plant the flag on behalf of my gender. On songs like “Womankind” and “Sing”, I’m absolutely embracing a feminist theme.
That latter song, an anthem at once different to, but in the tradition of Eurythmics “Sisters (Are Doin’ It For Themselves), is likely to become one of the most talked-about tracks of the year, featuring as it does an all-star choir of her female peers.
It had its genesis in Annie’s trips to Africa and her on-going involvement with Nelson Mandela’s 46664 and Treatment Action Campaign - organisations fighting for human rights, education and health care for those affected by the HIV AIDS virus.
(In South Africa, as many as one in three women are HIV positive).
After being given a CD of music with an HIV/Aids theme, written and performed by TAC activist members group “The Generics”, Lennox was inspired to try to bring their message to an international audience, and decided that the best way would be to incorporate one of their songs into one of her own.
“I chose a track where the theme is calling for the national implementation of a programme to prevent mother--to-baby HIV transmission, and then sent out a letter to 23 of the most internationally renowned female artists asking them to sing with me.”
“Everybody said yes, right away.” And so it is that “Sing” features (among illustrious others) the likes of Madonna, Joss Stone, Celine Dion, Gladys Knight, kd Lang, Angelique Kidjo, Bonnie Raitt, and Shakira.
Lennox plans to make the track available on internet, with all profits from downloads going to support TAC initiatives. “And I hope that there’ll be a ripple effect as people get to hear it, with each of the other artists involved (my sisters and contemporaries in arms, if you like) being asked about the song and the subjects it raises, so that fan bases will then take the time to check out the issue their heroines are supporting .
It’s a very heartfelt mission.
This combining of idealism with pragmatism (Lennox feels that it is through her music that she can best bring focus to the causes closest to her heart) is typical of the way this most singular of artists has managed her career.
As one of the most enduringly successful songwriters and performers in all of popular music, she is also an idol and inspiration to millions.
And with the new album she is taking that career to a new level of artistic accomplishment.
“When I look at the world around me, I see a totally insane place, full of violence and aggression, miscommunication and cruelty” she says.
“As a woman and a mother, it’s a harrowing prospect to cope with.
Then there’s all the stuff that’s actually within me, and within all of us - the unrequited love, the lack of peace, the chaos of thoughts and memories. These songs are my way of channelling those feelings and expelling that pain. I want people to connect with this. I want people to feel, ‘My God, she’s singing about MY life”. My blood and bones are in this music. I’ve given everything I have to offer here.”
A first single, the stunning “Dark Road”, is the perfect introduction to the project. Of its inspiration Annie says, “Every day as I was recording the album I had to drive down Sunset Boulevard to the studio, and I became very aware of the ironic symbolism I’d catch sight of along the way.”
“For me the people driving in their cars contrast with so many disenfranchised or dispossessed living on the outskirts of this all-pervasive consumerist society.
And therein lies a disturbing, sobering truth running through not just this one song but through the whole album. On life’s journey, so many dreams are smashed. There’s the constant possibility of falling by the wayside or slipping through the cracks. And whether we realize it or not ... we’re all on that path.”
