Let's Roll is the latest album honoring and mourning those who died in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Todd Beamer was on United Flight 93, and uttered the words "let's roll". Along with three other passengers, he forced the diversion of the plane that was headed for the White House. Produced by Tony McAnany (Point of Grace, Chant), the album features thirty-three artists or groups, two US Congressmen, and several of Beamer's friends, all of whom waived their royalties to support the Todd M. Beamer Foundation.
Diversity is definitely a large part of the package here. CCM staples Steven Curtis Chapman and dc Talk are here, but so are Wynonna, Chaka Khan, Phil Keaggy, and Yo-Yo Ma. "Lord's Prayer" is the group effort here, with nineteen different artists contributing to the finished product.
None of the songs here are of the same quality as Neil Young's "Let's Roll" or Bruce Springsteen's "My City of Ruins," but there are some songs here that stand on their own merits. "Light of the World" by Jennifer Knapp is better than most, while "Carry On" by Wynonna shows her in fine voice, in the same area as Ashley Cleveland or Bonnie Raitt.
"Interlude" is a nice guitar piece by Nick Moroch and Don Potter, and "Daily Bread" by Phil Keaggy and David Hentschel is wonderful. Lila McCann on "Who Else Could It Be?" is a mixture of Jewel and Carolyn Dawn Johnson.
Most of the rest of the album is forgettable. The title track by dc Talk will be a radio staple, but only because of the artist involved. "Horizon", done by 38th Parallel, does its best to imitate the old dc Talk style: a melodic verse, followed by rap/rock, then another melodic verse.
Overall, Let's Roll is like most tribute albums a few hits, a few misses, and songs that don't seem memorable. While I admire the efforts of the artists here and the spirit in which the album is offered, the Todd M. Beamer Foundation is probably better served if you send them a check for $25.00, rather than purchasing this CD.
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Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Elizabeth AngellOur country was awakened to a new light after September 11th 2001. So many people were heroes that day. This CD is dedicated to the memories of so many lives that were taken away from us in just a few precious seconds. We now realize that the acts of a few can affect so many. The life of Todd Beamer is one that has been a media focus this past year. Even though this CD may be titled from the…
