REVIEW/CONCERT[hhmc]
One World: Together At Home
Sunday (April 19)
From covers of songs like Lean On Me and A Change Is Gonna Come to originals like Elton John's I'm Still Standing, the theme was hope, positivity and encouragement as an A-list line-up of music stars dipped into their repertoires and classic songs for One World: Together At Home.
The global event, which was broadcast live on Sunday morning Singapore time (April 19), is to celebrate healthcare and front-line workers around the world and supports the United Nations Foundation's Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund.
It kicked off with a one-two punch with the event's curator, American pop star Lady Gaga, who urged everyone to "smile though your heart is aching" with a take on Nat King Cole's Smile. She was followed by fellow American Stevie Wonder, with an emphatic tribute to Lean On Me by Bill Withers, who recently died.
It set the tone for the rest of the event, which was hosted by three of the biggest late-night television show hosts in the United States – Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Fallon – who injected the right amount of humour and gravity, when necessary.
Interspersed with videos of do-gooders and video calls to healthcare workers and medical experts, there was the consistent message to stay home and flatten the curve, "to give scientists the time to find a cure" as one doctor put it.
It was a sombre reminder that the coronavirus is still a clear and present danger.
But beyond the seriousness, there were some serious singing chops on display, as American pop star Lizzo lit up the screen with her cover of Sam Cooke's A Change Is Gonna Come.
Meanwhile, American singer John Legend and British crooner Sam Smith served up the cross-continental collaboration of the day with their impeccable harmonising on feel-good number Stand By Me by Ben E. King.
Perhaps the most intriguing part of it all was getting to peel back the curtain and peek into the lives of these superstars who were performing from their homes.
British singer Elton John, for instance, offered a rousing rendition of his song I'm Still Standing, played on a grand piano in his garden.
Meanwhile, Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder managed to make a church organ look cool by playing River Cross on the instrument that just so happened to be in his music room.
Pianos were a popular choice. Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas sang a trademark whispery version of Sunny, popularised by Marvin Gaye, while Taylor Swift drew on one of her own songs – the emotionally charged Soon You'll Get Better.
The special was also preceded by a six-hour pre-show, featuring performances by the likes of Adam Lambert, Niall Horan and Jennifer Hudson.
Besides performances, the two-hour global special was also peppered with messagRead More – Source
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