Various Artists "Sgt. Pepper Knew My Father"

You have to hand it to the Brits. They rally around their causes. At least their artists do. The Beatles started it. Maybe they didn't, but I like to think they did. George Harrison's Concert For Bangaladesh spawned a trillion fundraisers in the years since. Band-Aid, USA For Africa, etc. If you were a teen in the 80s like I was, you remember the flurry of compilations intended to aid somethingoranother. They were usually sponsored by music magazines and featured bands, that in hindsight, could probably use the money themselves about now.

This is the first in a series of what I like to call "Great Compilations" (said in monster truck pull voice). I spent a good amount of time last night going through some fantastic collections, for profit or not, and culling some good material. You'll get some in the coming days, weeks, whenever.

For starters, here's 1988's Sgt. Pepper Knew My Father, a 13 track benefit album for the charity Childline. I have no clue whether or not this charity still exists, but it was intended to provide support for kids in abused households. Random British bands of the day offer renditions of songs from the Beatles' tripped out 1967 concept LP. I've spared you Wet Wet Wet's "With A Little Help From My Friends" and the traumatic "Fixing A Hole" by Hue & Cry.

However, gems include the perfect pairing of The Wedding Present with a pre-Heavenly Amelia Fletcher, Billy Bragg with Cara Tivey (a vocalist who sung with Everything But The Girl and Lilac Time), and Australia's criminally underrated, Triffids. Wow, a triple play! I'm getting better all the time at this. Take today to donate like, a dollar or something, to a charity, or even a friend in need. Holy shit, what the hell is happening to me?

The Wedding Present ft. Amelia Fletcher GETTING BETTER
Billy Bragg ft. Cara Tivey SHE'S LEAVING HOME
The Triffids GOOD MORNING, GOOD MORNING