'Hope for Haiti Now': Sincere Brilliance

George Clooney ‘Hope for Haiti Now’ via BBC NewsLast night’s ‘Hope for Haiti Now’ telethon represented a flawless example of great taste, enormous talent and celebrity understatement on behalf of the Haiti relief effort. The only singer even introduced was Haitian singer Emeline Michel, doing a version of Jimmy Cliff’s ‘Many Rivers to Cross.’

The star list was awesome, depending on your age. If you didn’t know them, the music was terrific, with no props or multi-media extravaganzas. A simply elegant stage, with photos from Haiti, was the backdrop. In the age of excess, the setting was perfect.

A-Listers talked to donors at ‘Hope for Haiti Now’. Photo via BBC News‘Hope for Haiti Now’ was produced by Joel Gallen and hosted by George Clooney, Wyclef Jean and Anderson Cooper.

Alicia Keys opened the two hour telethon, singing ‘Prelude to a Kiss’. Madonna looked fantastic fronting a choir to sing ‘Like a Prayer’. Bono and the Edge of U2, joined Jay Z and Rihanna, playing second fiddle at moments, in a new song written for the occasion, ‘Stranded’

Bono and Rihanna, with Jay Z, performed in London for ‘Hope for Haiti Now’. Photo via LATimesIt’s true, for example, that Bono didn’t perform full throttle, but I sensed that Jay Z needed the limelight, as did Wyclef Jean. Last night saw no turf battles. Everyone was focused on Haiti, and what a breath of full air wonderfulness that was.

The LATimes gives Bono more prominence; I didn’t see it.

Anyone who mocks the sincerity of ‘Hope for Haiti Now’ should be sent there to work on the relief effort. It was a glorious evening for the entertainment industry. Anne more via LATimes

You can still donate at HopeforHaitiNow.org.