The Aslan CD to aid Beslan is now available.

Flukey

6 weeks ago today the tragic end to the Beslan hostage crisis unfolded. On the following day in the Phoenix Park in Dublin, an open air concert was held. A Dublin band called Aslan were one of the acts. On arriving on the stage they dedicated their first song to the people effected by the events in Beslan. This song was one of their big hits called "Crazy World". On a major radio phone-in show on the following Monday many people called in telling that Aslan were the only band to have mentioned Beslan at the concert.

Many people rang up suggesting that Aslan should re-release Crazy World and that the proceeds should go to Beslan. An Irish charity that has worked in Russian orphanages for the past 6 years, To Russia With Love, had set up an account for donations specifically for Beslan. Thousands of euro have since been lodged by the public into the account. According to their website, which I have just checked, €258,475.24 has been donated to date.

The CD was released last week. It has 3 different recordings of Crazy World, plus a movie taken from the concert in the Phoenix Park that day with their introduction, their dedication of the song and the song itself. All proceeds are going to To Russia With Love. The CD costs only €2.95. I bought my copy today. It is currently nuber 4 in the Irish charts and the hope is that it will reach number 1. Get out and buy a copy.

To Russia With Love

From Aslan's website:
Aslan

ASLAN RELEASE CHARITY SINGLE IN AID OF THE
'TO RUSSIA WITH LOVE' CHARITY
Supported by EMI and O2 Ireland

Aslan will release 'Crazy World' which they performed at O2 In The Park on Saturday, 4th September in aid of the 'To Russia With Love' charity. The single is scheduled for release on October 7th.

Aslan dedicated the song 'Crazy World' to the victims of the Beslan school disaster at the show, in what was a very moving and emotional moment. The introduction to the song featured 32 children on stage each with a flag representing each county in Ireland. Doves were also released into the air, representing a call for peace in the world.

The charity single was sparked by Christy Dignam's interview on Joe Duffy's Live Line programme on RTE Radio 1 on September 9th, in relation to their dedication in Phoenix Park. Christy offered the song to anyone who would be willing to release it for the charity.

EMI have had a long association with Aslan and are delighted to be able join with them in support of such a worthwhile cause. EMI will cover the marketing, sale and distribution costs. O2 Ireland will cover the manufacturing costs and all profits will go to the 'To Russia With Love' Charity. EMI confirmed on Live Line on Friday 10th September, the single will be released and available in record stores from October 7th.

pickarooney

You are having a laugh...

This is something you'd see on spoof radio - Aslan to re-release Crazy World for the 14th time - Christy's really off the skag this time!

monkeyfudge

It was my understanding that Aslan masterminded the school seizure in Beslan...

oh wait... that was Aslan Maskhadov...

JackKelly

what/who exactly is the money going to help?

woosaysdan

TimAy wrote:

what/who exactly is the money going to help?

all proceeds are going to the 'to russia with love' charity

Big Ears

woosaysdan wrote:

all proceeds are going to the 'to russia with love' charity

and what exactly do they do ?

woosaysdan

to russia with love

CLONTARF-based charity has launched an appeal for the victims and families involved in the devastating events in Beslan, Russia last week. ‘To Russia With Love’ has been working in orphanages in Western Russia for the past six years and those involved in the charity felt great sorrow as the drama unfolded on our TV screens.
The charity has set up an emergency account at AIB Artane and is hoping for a good response from Northsiders.
Nicola Corrigan an employee at ‘To Russia With Love’ told The Northside People that everyone at the charity was absolutely devastated over what occurred in Beslan.
“We have many colleagues and friends in Russia and it was really terrible what happened,” she said.
“We were trying to think of what was the best thing to do and we came up with the idea of this appeal. We are suspending our own charity’s operations for two weeks and concentrating solely on the Beslan appeal.
“To Russia with Love is in close contact with the Irish Ambassador to Russia, Mr Justin Harman, and the Russian Ambassador to Ireland, Mr Vladimir Rakhmanin.
“Our charity will oversee the distribution of all monies raised in conjunction with those based locally in Beslan and Dr Rochelle, the head of the International Foundation for Children in Catastrophes and Wars in Russia.
“The monies will be used for all the post-trauma procedures deemed necessary to help the victims and their families.”
The founder member of the charity, Debbie Deegan, is currently over in Russian at one of the orphanages, which they help and support.
Ms Corrigan said: “The atmosphere is very grim as you can imagine.”

Flukey

As I stated in the original post, To Russia With Love has been working in Russia for the past 6 years. The idea of releasing the record was not from Aslan themselves. Many people, including myself though I was not on air, rang Liveline on the Monday suggesting that it be released to help those that suffered in Beslan. It came as a reaction to the dedication of the song to the people of Beslan by Aslan on the Saturday. The proceeds are going to the charity, not to Aslan. It has been supported by EMI, O2 and Paradise Productions who were involved in the concert. For €2.95 it is a bargain and it is going to a very good cause. Go out and buy it. In case any of you are wondering, I have absolutely no connection to any of the people involved in this. I just think people should buy it.