Moore Compiles Music That Inspired 'Fahrenheit'
On the same day Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11" is released on DVD and its soundtrack issued on CD, Sony BMG Music's Epic Soundtrax will release a compilation of songs the documentary director says triggered his muse. Due Oct. 5, "Songs and Artists That Inspired Fahrenheit 9/11" boasts cuts by Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, System Of A Down, Pearl Jam and the Clash, among others.
"When I make a film, I take my portable CD case and place in it a series of albums which contain music that reflects the mood I am in and the reasons that are motivating me to make this film," Moore explains. "The songs on this CD are either the actual songs that made up our 'on-the-scene' soundtrack, or they are by artists whom I have listened to over the years and have given me much inspiration."
In addition to a dozen anthems, most of which are well known, are two new songs, including the first music from former Rage Against The Machine singer Zack De la Rocha in five years. Produced by Trent Reznor, De la Rocha's "We Want It All" is the first single from the compilation.
"Seeing 'Fahrenheit 9/11' was like hearing Dylan's 'Masters of War' or Public Enemy's 'Bring the Noise' for the first time," De la Rocha says. "It wasn't just about melody, great production or hard rhymes -- it was the weight of the argument and what the piece forced me to consider."
Coincidentally, the set's other new track comes from De la Rocha's former Rage bandmate, Tom Morello. Now a member of Audioslave, the guitarist appears here as the Nightwatchman, the name given to his acoustic singer/songwriter solo project.
Moore describes Morello's "No One Left" as "both beautiful and haunting -- and painfully true. Death in New York, death in Baghdad, it is all to be mourned. Tom sings, the guitar is acoustic, and I am compelled to play this song over and over."
The compilation opens with "I Am a Patriot (And the River Opens for the Righteous)," a Little Steven & the Disciples of Soul song that was frequently performed by Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder during appearances supporting Ralph Nader's 2000 Green Party Presidential bid.
Dylan contributes "With God on Our Side," while Springsteen offers a live version of "Chimes of Freedom" and Pearl Jam chip in with a concert cover of "Masters of War."
Moore says he found strength in the plight of the Dixie Chicks, who became pariahs in the country music community after disavowing a Texas connection to President Bush during a London concert. "Their courage -- and the abuse and censorship that they had to sustain and overcome -- did much to get me through this past year," he says.
The compilation features the Chicks' Vietnam War tale "Travelin' Soldier," a No. 1 title on Billboard's Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in March 2003.
Sony BMG Music plans to donate half the net profits from U.S. sales of the disc to the Fallen Patriot Fund. Selected by Moore, the charity was established to help families of U.S. military personnel who have been killed or seriously injured in the current Iraqi conflict.
Here is the full "Songs and Artists That Inspired Fahrenheit 9/11" track list:
"I Am a Patriot (And the River Opens for the Righteous)," Little Steven & the Disciples of Soul
"Chimes of Freedom" (live)," Bruce Springsteen
"With God on Our Side," Bob Dylan
"We Want It All," Zack De la Rocha
"Boom!" System Of A Down
"No One Left," the Nightwatchman
"Masters of War" (live), Pearl Jam
"Travelin' Soldier," Dixie Chicks
"Fortunate Son" (live), John Fogerty
"Know Your Rights," the Clash
"The Revolution Starts Now," Steve Earle
"Where Is the Love?," Black Eyed Peas featuring Justin Timberlake
"Good Night, New York" (live)," Nanci Griffith
"Hallelujah," Jeff Buckley