Music with a mission

For the third consecutive year, a companion CD accompanies the annual "Concert For A Cause" event. "Concert For A Cause III: A Benefit Recording For Luzerne County Head Start," is now available at all Gallery of Sound stores. And because everything - the music, the artwork, the pressing and the distribution - has been donated, all money from CD sales will go directly to Luzerne County Head Start, an excellent facility that provides educational services for low-income children.

This year's CD contains 10 tracks and is once again loaded with terrific songs from some of the region's best bands.

'Concert For A Cause III: A Benefit Recording For Luzerne County Head Start' is available at all Gallery of Sound stores. The album, which sells for $5, contains songs from some of the region's best bands.

Here's a rundown, track by track:

• "Rainy Labor Day" by Jared Campbell. This fabulous tune from Campbell's latest CD, "Rest Out," seems like the perfect song to kick off the album. "I start my journey today ..." Campbell sings with a touch of wonder in his tone. That's exactly what the kids of Head Start are doing, and that's exactly what we're trying to help them with.
  
  
• "Get Up" by Plus 3. This soaring rocker comes from the band's forthcoming CD, "Late Nights and Lost Causes." It's got great vocals, great guitars and a nice message, and it will certainly make you eager for the release of the group's new album, due out in just a few weeks.
  
  
• "Keep Me Turning On" by Bent Blue. Perhaps the best song from the group's excellent and fiery new CD, "All The Numb Souls," it's just as good as any modern-rock song you'll hear anywhere and clearly defines the ever-expanding Bent Blue sound.
  
  
• "Pieces of You" by k8. This driving yet melodic number comes from k8's critically acclaimed debut album, "Something Out of Nothing." I must have played this tune at least a dozen times on the Sunday-night "Music On The Menu Live" radio show, and if for some reason you still haven't heard it, simply pick up the CFC III album. One listen, and I think you'll see why.
  
  
• "My List of Things" by The Badlees. Big news, here. This jangly, reflective mid-tempoed gem is the first new song from these guys in three years. Though the band's next album won't be out until later this year, it's been kind enough to give us an early listen. That alone will probably send some of you out to the Gallery of Sound to pick up the album.
  
  
• "Dedicated" by Mighty Fine Wine. A witty little ditty, penned by MFW's John "Fud" Zavacki and taken from the band's latest "Vino Vidi Vici" CD. Twenty years ago, this tune could have been on the soundtrack to "The Breakfast Club." John Hughes would love it, and you probably will too.
  
  
• "Winner" by Kermit Alphonso of The Collective. Relax. Kermit isn't going solo, and all is well in The Collective camp. He simply decided to record this Lenny Kravitz-flavored, positive-thinking tune with some other friends and musicians. Fans of Kermit take note: This song will not appear on The Collective's next album, and "Concert For A Cause III" is the only place it's available.
  
  
• "Ode to Hazel" by Six Second Yellow. This song, taken from the group's album, "The Harmony Lane Sessions," serves as a fine introduction to these relative newcomers who formed on the campus of Wilkes University. It's breezy and romantic, plus it's got a cool melody and some intriguing percussion.
  
  
• "Shoulders of Fate" by 40-Lb. Head. A touch of pessimism and sarcasm graces this thinking-man's number, taken from the group's "Third Shift" album. The Head, always community-oriented, has been a part of CFC since its beginning, dating to the "Concert For Karen" shows, and it has always shouldered its role as one of the region's most popular bands very well. Good guys. Good song.
  
  

The album closes with a cover of The Beatles' "Blackbird," which I recorded specifically for this album. Lyrically, it seemed like a perfect match, and it is dedicated to the children of Head Start.

All the acts contributing to the album will perform at "Concert For A Cause III," set for The Woodlands Grand Ballroom on April 20. Also appearing will be UUU, Crush, popShop, Bad Hair Day and Flaxy Morgan.

"Concert For A Cause III" is a limited-edition album, and only 1,000 have been pressed. The artists donated the songs, Cinram Manufacturing donated the pressing, and the Times Leader paid for the artwork, designed at no cost by Jim Rosensteel. Saturation Acres Recording studio mastered the CD at no cost, and the Gallery of Sound is distributing the album at no cost. Thus, every $5 you spend will go directly to Luzerne County Head Start.

10 songs. Five bucks. All for the kids.

Pretty good reason to visit the record store this weekend.

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