Few things inspire pride in the human condition more than when people lend not only their time to worthy causes but their talents as well. The charity album is not a new idea, but few have the twist of musicians being on the album with many of the very people they are working to help. This is the concept of Kevin Moyer's "Live From Nowhere Near You: Volume 2". It is described on the cover as "A Benefit Concept CD: Collaborating Street Musicians + Professionals with the Profits Going to the Homeless and Street Youth Programs of Charity OUTSIDE IN". A worthy cause indeed, and with 3 CDs, 64 songs, 80+ contributors, and over 3 and half hours of music, many hours and talents were lent in the making of this project.The album has a jaw dropping line up including: The Strokes, Modest Mouse, The Dandy Warhols, Ryan Adams, Bright Eyes, The Helio Sequence, Wilco, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, and members of many other popular bands like Pearl Jam, The Shins, Menomena, and The Decemberists. Much of it is brand new music, but there are also special previously unreleased demos and acoustic versions of old favorites.
Of course it falls into the common pitfalls of any compilation albums, with artists of such variety and differing genres, of inconsistency and frantic concerns of where it is going next. But considering the subject matter of the album these issues are not only appropriate but add a tangible feel to the sense of immersion. "The Streets" are woven throughout and are a reoccurring character reminding the listener not to assume they know what is coming around the next corner. Musical interludes like the take off of the Jimi Hendrix classic "Little Wings" called "Winging it" by Skeeter, and "A Piano in New York" by Thomas Lauderdale of Pink Martini move the story forward as the journey from block to block continues.
