Jukebox Saturday: The Sweetest Relief Effort

The musicians of the world often gather together to take on great big causes.  They are often applauded and saluted for this behavior, and it often raises public awareness of the ongoing issues that really do need more attention.  I would like to thank these great big music stars for donating time and talent to worthy causes.

I'm all for saving the world.  Sometimes, I get tired of the hype.  I get tired of the in your face of it all.  I wonder how sincere the artists are, I wonder if the money is going to the right place.

The one time I stopped wondering was when a group of singers/songwriters/musicians got together to help one of their own.

Back in the days before universal health care was the law, many people trying to make a primary living in the arts did without it.  If they were diagnosed with something big and scary, they were kinda screwed.  This was the case with talented songwriter Victoria Williams.

Victoria Williams was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.  In order to raise money to cover her medical expenses, musical artists put together an album.  Instead of donating their own work, these artists recorded the songs of Victoria Williams.  This gave her the publishing rights, the royalties, and the accolades.  It was much more than a band-aid for the situation.  These musical cats were working on an extended solution.

The result of this good deed was one of the best tribute albums ever.  I listen to it regularly and marvel at the overall coolness of the whole thing.

 

Sweet Relief: A Benefit for Victoria Williams is a 1993 tribute album that features a variety of alternative rock bands covering songs written by Victoria Williams. The project was inspired by Williams being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and led to the creation of the Sweet Relief Fund, a charity that aids professional musicians (of any stature) in need of health care.

Victoria Williams (born December 23, 1958) is an American singer, songwriter and musician, originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, although she has resided in Southern California throughout her musical career. She is noted for her descriptive songwriting talent, which she has used to immerse the listener of her songs into a vivid feeling of small-town, rural Southern upbringing and life. Her best-known songs include "Crazy Mary", and "Century Plant". Finding inspiration in nature, ("Weeds", "Century Plant," "Why Look at the Moon"), everyday objects ("Shoes," "Frying Pan") and the unseen, as in "Holy Spirit".
Below are as many songs from the Sweet Relief Album that I could find.  One song has been substituted, but all the songs are represented.
 

If you are so inclined, you should listen to Victoria sing her own songs.  She is amazing, and unlike most of todays PoP Stars.  She is a genuine Artist with a capital A.