I am not going to lie, I always regarded We are the World by USA for Africa as very much the poor relation to Band Aid's Do they know it's Christmas?
And although they are vastly different types of song in the main I still hold that view.
Having now watched this documentary I can at least hold this effort in higher regard.
This is not quite riveting stuff but close to it, I was a bit 50/50 on adding it to my list, could something really be referred to as The Greatest Night in Pop?
My answer is, quite possibly, yes.
Over just shy of 100 minutes we are taken across the journey of this song from Harry Belafonte's first "idea", through the pivotal roles that Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones and Stevie wonder played.
Through to the tortuous execution in that room at A&M studious that went on "all night long".
Excellent contributions from Lionel in the main, Bruce Spingsteen, Huey Lewis and Cyndi Lauper, it always helps to hear from the people that were actually there at the time.
The extensive archive footage was invaluable too!
Of special note and I am far from Bob's biggest fan, the seemingly impromptu speech that Bob Geldof gave before recording started was about as spot on as one could imagine or hope for.
The talent on display here dwarfs that on hand for Band Aid by some margin, so many genuine icons and legends.
Last but not least, facts are facts, Bob Dylan cannot sing and I still do not know why Dan Aykroyd was involved.
All in all, this is exemplary documentary making, a must watch!
#TheGreatestNightInPop.
And although they are vastly different types of song in the main I still hold that view.
Having now watched this documentary I can at least hold this effort in higher regard.
This is not quite riveting stuff but close to it, I was a bit 50/50 on adding it to my list, could something really be referred to as The Greatest Night in Pop?
My answer is, quite possibly, yes.
Over just shy of 100 minutes we are taken across the journey of this song from Harry Belafonte's first "idea", through the pivotal roles that Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones and Stevie wonder played.
Through to the tortuous execution in that room at A&M studious that went on "all night long".
Excellent contributions from Lionel in the main, Bruce Spingsteen, Huey Lewis and Cyndi Lauper, it always helps to hear from the people that were actually there at the time.
The extensive archive footage was invaluable too!
Of special note and I am far from Bob's biggest fan, the seemingly impromptu speech that Bob Geldof gave before recording started was about as spot on as one could imagine or hope for.
The talent on display here dwarfs that on hand for Band Aid by some margin, so many genuine icons and legends.
Last but not least, facts are facts, Bob Dylan cannot sing and I still do not know why Dan Aykroyd was involved.
All in all, this is exemplary documentary making, a must watch!
#TheGreatestNightInPop.