Concert For New York City Compilation

The basic rules for all benefit concert CDs apply here. That is to say that there's the requisite mix of established music legends, rock heroes and pop stars, they're all playing their hits and their stage banter and audience applause makes you feel all warm and tingly inside. The only problem is — like with the majority of benefits — there's nothing really groundbreaking or show stopping (save for The Who and Billy Joel, whose two N.Y.-themed songs bring chills). And, because there's such a mix of performers, any real flow to the concert is interrupted by jarring styles: it's impossible to shove Destiny's Child, Eric Clapton and Buddy Guy, the Backstreet Boys and Mick and Keef one after another without some disjointedness. Oh, and if you're opposed to extremism, you will find the rah-rah U.S. jingoism cloying. You've been warned.