Mainstream music stars have been coming together all over the globe to assist in the Haitian earthquake relief efforts, from the recent Hope For Haiti Now telethon to the allstar "We Are The World" remake to Simon Cowell's new "Everybody Hurts" charity single. But the new Haiti benefit single helmed by Pogues rebel Shane MacGowan may be the coolest charity effort yet, and it will reach an entire new audience.
MacGowan has recruited Nick Cave, the Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde, Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie, the Sex Pistols' Glen Matlock, the Clash's Mick Jones, and even part-time musician Johnny Depp and Depp's actress/singer girlfriend Vanessa Paradis for a charity cover of Screamin' Jay Hawkins' witchcrafty classic, "I Put A Spell On You." It may seem like an odd choice for a Haiti tribute, but it's a great song with a voodoo theme, and it's for a great cause--and as MacGowan told Britain's Channel 4, it's intended to be an "alternative" to the more poppy charity efforts out there.
"I Put A Spell On You" will be released in March 8, and proceeds will go to Concern Worldwide, a Dublin-based charity that has been working in Haiti for 16 years. The results ought to be interesting, and if the song generates Haiti revenue among edgier music fans who wouldn't ever think of buying "We Are The World" or "Everybody Hurts," then Shane and his hipster colleagues have done their job.
Check out some behind-the-scenes recording footage below: