A few weeks ago, I wrote a scathing review of the song "We Are The World." While the cause was good, the song itself was terrible. Now, we have another charity single released, but it's performed by only one person–American Idol winner Kris Allen. In cooperation with Idol Gives Back and the U.N. Relief Fund for Haiti, all proceeds of his cover of The Beatles' "Let It Be" will go to both Haitian relief efforts and other beneficiaries of Idol Gives Back. Again, for the purposes of the review, I'm reviewing the song as a song.
It's always a daunting task to do a Beatles cover, especially for a song as popular and as powerful as "Let It Be." Kris Allen delivers a stripped-down cover of the song with only an acoustic guitar, piano and minimal percussion for instrumental accompaniment. In a word, his cover was respectable. What sets Kris Allen apart from other American Idol contestants and winners is that he does not over-sing. I believe Simon Cowell actually knocked him for that, saying that he sounds like someone jamming in his garage. Unfortunately, Mr. Cowell, that laid-back, raw sound is the source of much of Kris Allen's appeal and success. While many people tend to be distracted by vocal runs and curves, Allen focuses on just singing the song. This track is no exception. He sings this classic without much fuss, changing just enough of the song to suit his style without completely overshadowing the original. It is not groundbreaking or extraordinary by any means, but it certainly does the song justice.
Unlike the horrific "We Are the World," Kris Allen delivers a simple rendition of a well-known classic, "Let It Be." He is releasing this track to benefit Haitian relief as well as charities supported by Idol Gives Back. It is a solid song well-worth the purchase price ($1.29 on the iTunes store). Allen's cover is a good song for a good cause, and I encourage everyone to give it a listen and help out.
RATING – 7.5/10
To purchase and help out, please visit: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/let-it-be-live-single/id358781951