Ferry Aid - Let It Be

Ferry Aid were a British-American ensemble group, brought together to record the song 'Let It Be' in 1987.

The single was released following the Zeebrugge Disaster, which had occurred on 6 March 1987 involving the capsizing of the MS Herald of Free Enterprise ferry, which killed 193 passengers and crew. All proceeds from sales of the single were donated to the charity set up in the aftermath of the disaster.

The recording was organised by The Sun newspaper, after they had sold cheap tickets for the ferry on that day. 'Let It Be' was written by Lennon/McCartney and originally recorded by The Beatles in 1969.

Artists to have contributed and performed solo spots on the song are as follows (in order of appearance):

Paul McCartney
Jim Diamond
Boy George
Sara Dallin, Keren Woodward and Nick Kamen
Paul King
Mark King
Taffy
Andy Bell
Pepsi & Shirlie
Mel and Kim
Jaki Graham
Gary Moore (guitar solo)
Mark Knopfler (guitar solo)
Kim Wilde and Nik Kershaw
Edwin Starr
Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot
Ruby Turner
Kate Bush

The closing choruses of the song feature an ensemble choir featuring many of the above performers as well other recording artists, including Bonnie Tyler, Errol Brown, Hazel O'Connor, The Nolans, Rick Astley, Jim Diamond, Doctor and the Medics, Alvin Stardust, Steve Strange, Mandy Smith, Su Pollard, Maxi Priest, Howard Jones, Samantha Fox, Linda Lusadi, Jimmy Somerville and members of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Go West, The Alarm and Bucks Fizz.

The B-side of the 7 inch single is a gospel version of 'Let It Be', made up on the spot by improvising. The 12 inch single has 'Let It Be (Mega Message Mix)' on the B-side.

Click the link below to downoad the following:
Video
Single Version
Gospel Jam Mix - B-Side

http://www.mediafire.com/?trswzu3r21ig7

Ferry Aid - Let It Be - Video

Band Aid II - Do They Know It's Christmas

A new version was recorded under the name of Band Aid II in 1989, produced by the popular Hit Factory team of Stock, Aitken and Waterman and featuring a number of the year's most accessible artists, including Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Lisa Stansfield and Bros. Bananarama also appeared, making Sarah Dallin and Keren Woodward the only artists to appear on both versions (although they couldn't be heard on the first). The song again reached #1 for Christmas, raising more money and also making it the final number-one single of the 1980s and it was final song to be played on Top of the Pops in the Eighties, whom of it was the original version of the song.

This version, released in 1989 was produced by British songwriting and production team formed of Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman known as Stock Aitken Waterman. The only artists from the original Band Aid to be featured again on this version were Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward of Bananarama. This version topped the UK Singles Chart for three weeks, but ultimately achieved far less historical significance and status than its predecessor.

On Friday 1 December 1989, Bob Geldof called Pete Waterman to ask if he would consider producing a new version of the song featuring the big stars from that time. Waterman immediately cancelled his wedding (planned for that very day) and began calling up the artists. With just two days' notice, on Sunday 3 December, recording took place at PWL Studios in South London. Present in the studio was Bob Geldof, wife Paula Yates and six-year-old daughter, Fifi Trixiebelle, who was eager to meet Jason Donovan.

Production continued through the Monday, and by Tuesday 5 December the song was aired for the first time on London's Capital Radio. Advance sales of the record reached 500,000 and a number-one was inevitable. The song was released the following week on 11 December and spent three weeks at number one, becoming the 9th biggest selling song of the year, outselling Madonna's "Like a Prayer".

Participants
The line up for the Band Aid II project consisted of (in alphabetical order):

Bananarama
Big Fun
Bros
Cathy Dennis
D Mob
Jason Donovan
Kevin Godley
Glen Goldsmith
Rolf Harris
Kylie Minogue
The Pasadenas
Marti Pellow
Chris Rea
Cliff Richard
Jimmy Somerville
Sonia
Lisa Stansfield
Technotronic
Wet Wet Wet

Click the link below to download the following:
Video
single Version

Link removed by request from PWL Recordings

Band Aid II - Do They Know It's Christmas - Video