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////// Sire Records to Release "Body of War:
Songs That Inspired an Iraq War Veteran" on March 18th,
2008
Eddie Vedder, John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Bright Eyes,
Neil Young, Lupe Fiasco, Roger Waters, Serj Tankian, Blow
Up Hollywood, Ben Harper, and More Featured on Double-CD Compilation
Benefiting Iraq Veterans Against the War
CD Curated by Tomas Young, Iraq War Veteran and Subject of
Award-Winning 2007 Documentary "Body of War"
Album Pre-Order and Special Footage Available at bodyofwarmusic.com
BURBANK, CA--(Marketwire - February 22, 2008) - "Body
of War: Songs that Inspired an Iraq War Veteran," a double-CD
compilation of songs curated by Iraq war veteran Tomas Young,
will be released by Sire Records on March 18, 2008 -- two
days before the fifth anniversary of the United States' invasion
of Iraq. Young, now 26, was shot and paralyzed from the chest
down after serving in Iraq for less than a week. His heart-wrenching
and inspiring story is told in the critically acclaimed feature
documentary "Body of War," produced and directed
by Phil Donahue and Ellen Spiro.
Young enlisted in the Army just two days after 9/11 intending
to fight those responsible for the terrorist attacks on the
U.S. He has transformed his personal suffering into political
activism. His powerful story and authentic voice serve to
question the war in Iraq that cost him his mobility, and convey
the moving journey of a young veteran's survival and adaptation
to his new life as a paraplegic.
Young personally selected each of the tracks that appear on
"Body of War: Songs that Inspired an Iraq War Veteran,"
including Eddie Vedder's previously unreleased, live version
of "No More," which was written specifically for
the "Body of War" documentary and performed with
Ben Harper at Lollapalooza 2007 in Chicago's Grant Park. This
music, Young says, serves as his personal 'soundtrack for
Iraq.' "The compilation record was an idea that grew
out of my love of music and my reliance on it before, during,
and after the war," he says. "The songs I selected
for the record were tracks that inspired, motivated, and at
times, literally saved me over the past few years."
"Tomas has taught me a great deal, and our friendship
has become one of depth and sincerity," Vedder adds.
"It has been a mind-expanding experience. I see how he
relies on the strength of the songs to help him through each
day. It is a true living example of the power of music."
The "Body Of War" music site (www.bodyofwarmusic.com)
goes live today and enables visitors to pre-order the "Body
Of War" double CD set.
All proceeds from "Body of War: Songs That Inspired an
Iraq War Veteran," which features original cover art
designed and donated by acclaimed political artist Shepard
Fairey, go to benefit the non-profit organization Iraq Veterans
Against the War (IVAW), as chosen by Young. Founded in 2004
by Iraq war veterans, IVAW's goal is to give voice to the
large number of active-duty service people and veterans who
are against the war, but are under various pressures to remain
silent. In September, Sire Records donated $100,000 to IVAW
in the name of Young, who is a spokesperson for the organization.
"Body of War" premiered at the Toronto International
Film Festival on September 11th, 2007, to unanimous critical
praise. Richard Corliss of Time magazine called it "a
superb documentary ... almost unbearably moving." Named
"Best Documentary of 2007" by the National Board
of Review, the film also took home the Audience Award for
Best Documentary at the Hamptons' International Film Festival,
and was runner-up for the People's Choice Award at the Toronto
International Film Festival. It will begin a nationwide theatrical
release in March.
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