Youssou N'Dour

On this charity extravaganza, artists as varied as Green Day, Regina Spektor, Corrine Bailey Rae and U2 cover gems from John Lennon's solo catalog. Many acts stick pretty close to the originals, even Xtina Aguilera and Big and Rich. No problem there -- you'll find newfound wisdom in playing it safe once you hear Aerosmith's reggae spin on "Give Peace a Chance."

This album to aid Amnesty International's labors in Darfur is too much of a noble thing: two
CDs of solo Lennon covers that should have been one. Some stars just pass through the
songs (Jack Johnson, Avril Lavigne) or give their all for naught (Christina Aguilera's wrong
superdiva finale in "Mother"). But U2 and R.E.M. respectively energize "Instant Karma" and
"#9 Dream" like true fans, and Corinne Bailey Rae's lonesome-gospel fire in "I'm L... More >