Date: 1 January 1989
Originally published in:
Written by:
JENSEN COMMUNICATIONS INC
STAR-STUDDED “SPIRIT OF THE FOREST” SINGLE AND VIDEO SET FOR GALA UNITED NATIONS PREMIERE JUNE 1989
(Burbank) – The first-ever collaboration of top musical artist to help rescue the Earth’s fast disappearing tropical rainforests will have its world premiere during a star-studded presentation at the United Nations on June 1. “Spirit of the Forest”, conceived, written, and produced by the English environmentalist band, Gentlemen Without Weapons, is a heart-wrenching anthem designed to draw international attention to this unparalleled global environmental crisis.
Over the course of several recording sessions in Los Angeles, New York, London, Rio, and the Brazilian rainforest itself (with native Caraja Indians), the final version of the song was completed. Among the artists heard on the record are David Gilmour of Pink Floyd, Belinda Carlisle, Ringo Starr, Thomas Dolby, Olivia Newton-John, Mick Fleetwood, Brian Wilson, Kate Pierson of the B-52’s, Donna Summer, and Joni Mitchell. In addition, Brazilian artists Ivan Lins, Gilberto Gil, and Djavan have also joined in. The single, a video, and a series of public service announcements will be released in conjunction with World Environment Day on June 5, endorsed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). All proceeds will go directly to organizations dedicated to rainforest preservation. The record will be released worldwide on Virgin Records.
Although covering just 7% of the world’s land surface, the equatorial rainforest belt contains half of all known species of plants and animals, and acts as a global atmospheric regulator. As third world nations, like Brazil, continue to burn, harvest, and plough under the forests for short-term human corporate gain, the Earth faces increasing danger from global greenhouse warming and desertification. Additionally, deforestation drives indigenous peoples from their ancestral homes. Scientists around the world agree that destruction of the rainforest is a planetary catastrophe of the first magnitude. The aim of “Spirit of the Forest” is to alert people everywhere that this is an issue of utmost importance to all life on earth.
Every minute, an expanse of rainforest the size of twenty football fields is destroyed. That equals an area the size of the state of New Hampshire every day! The release of “Spirit of the Forest” is designed to raise both the voices and funds in this unprecendented challenge to all life on Earth.
“Spirit of the Forest” participants are as follows:
LOS ANGELES
Thomas Dolby
Joni Mitchell
Richard Page (Mr. Mister)
Marc Jordan
Mick Fleetwood
Billy Burnett
Belinda Carlisle
Rita Coolidge
Michael Des Barres
Bonnie Raitt
Brian Wilson
Olivia Newton-John
Don, Sweet Pea, & Sir Harry Bowens (Was Not Was)
Ivan Lins
Amy Sky
Peter Bogdonovich (PSA Only)
Charles Fleisher (PSA Only)
plus representatives of ten Indian tribes
LONDON
David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)
Kate Bush
Ringo Starr
Jon Anderson (Yes)
XTC
Fish (Marillion)
Louise Goffin
Chris Rea
Kim Wilde
Mark Brezezicki (Brother Beyond)
Nathan Moore
Sam Brown
Trevor Steele (Escape Club)
Andy Fairweather Lowe
Bruce Foxton
Frank Dunnery (It Bites)
Shikisha
Johnny Warman
NEW YORK
Donna Summer
Iggy Pop
Lacy J. Dalton
Richie Havens
L.L. Cool J
The Ramones
Taylor Dayne
Deborah Harry
Kate Person (B-52’s)
Lisa Bonet and Lenny Kravitz
David Clayton-Thomas
Little Steven
Africa Bambaataa
Jungle Brothers
Betsey Johnson (PSA Only)
Andie McDowell (PSA)
Joe Franklin (PSA)
Rich Stevens (PSA)
Richie Stats (Plasmatics)
Holly Vincent (Holly and the Italians)
Dolette McDonald
Raging Hormones
UNITED NATIONS LAUNCH AND RELEASE
On June 1st Richard Branson and Earth Love Fund (ELF) Rainforest Appeal in conjunction with the U.N.E.P will launch the record, video and documentary at the U.N. This programme is also being planned to link in with a global environment telecast held at the Lincoln Centre, New York. The release of the single and video will be on World Environment Day, Monday June 5th.
The single will be double “A”-sided with star artists performing on both sides and will be released world-wide through Virgin Records. The video and documentary, directed by Storm Thorgerson and produced by Lana Topham – Picture Music International will also be on world-wide release.
All proceeds from the record, song-writing, publishing and video will be donated to the programmes dedicated to saving the Rainforests of the world.
The following recording studios have given their services free:
Sarm West – London
Mayfair – London
Great Lindford Manor – Milton Keynes
Eden – London
Snakerranch – London
RCA Studios – New York
RCA Studios – Rio de Janeiro
Complex Studios – Los Angeles
Air Studios – London
The following artists participated on the single:
SPIRIT OF THE FOREST
A-side
UP FROM THE CANOPY I CAN SEE – Chris Rea
A THOUSAND CHAINSAWS COMIN’ FOR ME – Mr. Mister, XTC
FOR MILLIONS OF YEARS THIS HAS BEEN MY HOME – Dave Gilmour
TURN AROUND, TURN AROUND, IT SOON MAY ALL BE GONE – Brian Wilson, Louise Goffin
INDIANS – Tukano Chant.
THEY’LL NEVER BREAK THE SPIRIT OF THE FOREST
THEY’LL NEVER CUT THE HEART FROM THE TREE OF LIFE
THEY’LL NEVER BREAK THE SPIRIT OF THE FOREST
OH, OH, OH, OH, OH, OH, OH, – Belinda Carlisle, Bonnie Raitt, Rita Coolidge, Olivia Newton-John, Louise Goffin, Shikisha, Sam Brown, Kim Wilde, Donna Summer, Debbie Harry, Taylor Dayne, B52’s, Dolette Mcdonald.
I HEAR THE CRY OF THE YANOMAMI – Fish
THE KOOKABURRA AND THE GOLDEN MONKEY – Joni Mitchell, Olivia Newton-John
THOUSANDS OF ACRES UP IN SMOKE EVERY DAY – Ringo Starr
MILLIONS OF SPECIES FADIN’ AWAY – Belinda Carlisle, Bonnie Raitt
INDIAN CHANT – Caraja
THEY’LL NEVER BREAK THE SPIRIT OF THE FOREST
THEY’LL NEVER CUT THE HEART FROM THE TREE OF LIFE
THEY’LL NEVER BREAK THE SPIRIT OF THE FOREST
OH, OH, OH, OH, OH, OH, OH, – All ad. libs – Fish
- SOLO – Pink Dolphin, Bubbling Cassina (frog), Indris, Monkeys, Tiger
JAMAIS QUEBRARAO O ESPIRITO DAS MATAS – Gilberto Gil, Ney Matogrosso, Renato Russo, Djavan, Ivan Linns
JAMAIS CORTARAO O CORACAO NA ARVORE DA VIDA – Sandra de Sa, Rita Lee, Gal Costa, Marisa Monte
MATIPU, MAKUXI, WAIMIRI, PATAXO – Gilberto Gil, Ney Matogrosso, Renato Russo, Djavan, Ivan Linns
BORORO, TIKUNA, KANELA – Sandra de Sa, Rita Lee, Gal Costa, Marisa Monte
TUKANO, XAVANTE, JURUNA, GUARANI, KAYPO – All the Brazilians
UP FROM THE CANOPY I CAN SEE – Debbie Harry
FLAMES OF EXTINCTION COMING FOR ME – Sam Brown, Escape Club
HANGING IN THE BALANCE THERE LIES OUR FATE – Little Steven
TURN AROUND, TURN AROUND BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE – Kate Bush, Jon Anderson
THEY’LL NEVER BREAK THE SPIRIT OF THE FOREST
THEY’LL NEVER CUT THE HEART FROM THE TREE OF LIFE
THEY’LL NEVER BREAK THE SPIRIT OF THE FOREST
OH, OH, OH, OH, OH, OH, OH, – All
4th chorus – All
5th chorus – All
NO MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS WERE USED ON THIS RECORD
SPIRIT OF THE FOREST
AA-side
UP FROM THE CANOPY I CAN SEE – Chris Rea
A THOUSAND CHAINSAWS COMIN’ FOR ME – Kim Wilde
FOR MILLIONS OF YEARS THIS HAS BEEN MY HOME – Thomas Dolby
TURN AROUND, TURN AROUND, IT SOON MAY ALL BE GONE – Louise Goffin, Lacy J Dalton
(INDIANS CHANT) – Tukano
THEY’LL NEVER BREAK THE SPIRIT OF THE FOREST
THEY’LL NEVER CUT THE HEART FROM THE TREE OF LIFE
THEY’LL NEVER BREAK THE SPIRIT OF THE FOREST
OH, OH, OH, OH, OH, OH, OH, – Belinda Carlisle, Bonnie Raitt, Rita Coolidge, Olivia Newton-John, Louise Goffin, Shikisha, Sam Brown, Kim Wilde, Donna Summer, Debbie Harry, Taylor Dayne, B52’s, Dolette Mcdonald.
I HEAR THE CRY OF THE YANOMAMI – Donna Summer
THE KOOKABURRA AND THE GOLDEN MONKEY – Joey Ramone, Iggy Pop
THOUSANDS OF ACRES UP IN SMOKE EVERY DAY – Taylor Dayne
MILLIONS OF SPECIES FADIN’ AWAY – Richie Havens
INDIAN CHANT – Caraja
THEY’LL NEVER BREAK THE SPIRIT OF THE FOREST
THEY’LL NEVER CUT THE HEART FROM THE TREE OF LIFE
THEY’LL NEVER BREAK THE SPIRIT OF THE FOREST
OH, OH, OH, OH, OH, OH, OH, – All
- SOLO – Chris Rea, Dave Clayton Thomas
JAMAIS QUEBRARAO O ESPIRITO DAS MATAS – Gilberto Gil, Ney Matogrosso, Renato Russo, Djavan, Ivan Linns
JAMAIS CORTARAO O CORACAO NA ARVORE DA VIDA – Sandra de Sa, Rita Lee, Gal Costa, Marisa Monte
MATIPU, MAKUXI, WAIMIRI, PATAXO – Gilberto Gil, Ney Matogrosso, Renato Russo, Djavan, Ivan Linns
BORORO, TIKUNA, KANELA – Sandra de Sa, Rita Lee, Gal Costa, Marisa Monte
TUKANO, XAVANTE, JURUNA, GUARANI, KAYPO – All the Brazilians
UP FROM THE CANOPY I CAN SEE – Brother Beyond (Nathan Moore)
FLAMES OF EXTINCTION COMING FOR ME – Rita Coolidge
HANGING IN THE BALANCE THERE LIES OUR FATE – Jon Anderson
TURN AROUND, TURN AROUND BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE – Was not Was
THEY’LL NEVER BREAK THE SPIRIT OF THE FOREST
THEY’LL NEVER CUT THE HEART FROM THE TREE OF LIFE
THEY’LL NEVER BREAK THE SPIRIT OF THE FOREST
OH, OH, OH, OH, OH, OH, OH, – All
4th chorus – All
5th chorus – All
Fade – Eagle Dance – Tukano
NO MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS WERE USED ON THIS RECORD
EARTH LOVE FUND
Rainforest Appeal
18 Well Walk
London NW3 1LD
Tel 01-431 0550
Fax 01 431 0551
EARTH LOVE FUND – RAINFOREST APPEAL: SPIRIT OF THE FOREST PROJECT
THE RAINFOREST PROBLEM:
Destruction of the rainforest is the most crucial ecological issue facing our planet today.
The tropical rainforests are the oldest and biologically richest habitats on earth. Due in large parts to economic development projects, rainforests are disappearing at an alarming rate. Rainforests once covered about 14% of the earth’s surface; just since World War 2, half that area has been obliterated. The remains of the rainforest now exist mainly in the Third World countries of equatorial Africa, South America and Asia.
At the moment, one acre of rainforest is lost every second, one species every day, 40% of the world’s rainforests have been destroyed in the past 20 years.
The rainforests contain 50% of the total species of animal and plant life on our earth. A typical 4 square mile patch of rainforest contains up to 1,500 species of plants, 750 species of trees, 400 species of birds, 150 species of butterflies, 125 species of mammals, 100 species of reptiles and 50 of amphibians. 25% of our medicines originate in the forests and scientists have only just scratched the surface of medicinal cures for AIDS, cancer and other diseases.
The indigenous tribes are also being driven from their ancestral homes or killed – a savage loss to humans’ rights to follow their destiny.
The most important factor is Global Climatic change. Burning of the rainforests contributes to the “greenhouse effect”, which will eventually lead to devastation on a massive scale; these severe changes will affect every living (and as yet unborn) person.
During the nest 10 years, mankind will make one of his most crucial decisions ever: to let the destruction of the Tropical Rainforests of the world become total, or to find ways of halting this devastation of one of our planet’s richest resources.
THE PROJECT – HOW IT CAME ABOUT
Gentlemen Without Weapons (GWW), an A&M recording group originally wrote the song to support the Friends of the Earth rainforest ball, a gala fundraiser held in London last November. The group, along with U.N.E.P’s Ruth Strassberg and a dedicated team of organisers have pulled together over 50 top international recording artists from around the world to record the song. So far during February, March and April there have been five recording sessions in L.A, New York, Rio de Janeiro and in the Brazilian forest with native Caraja Brazilian Rainforest Indians taking part in the chanted chorus.
The song “Spirit of the Forest”, is created entirely with natural sounds sampled into a Fairlight. A large proportion of the sounds are of rainforest creatures facing extinction.
The L.A. session also included representatives from eleven native American tribes, providing a spiritual connection with their South American brothers and sisters so directly affected by deforestation. In a fashion similar to “band aid” different artists individually perform lines while the entire ensemble sing out the song’s moving chorus.
THE UNEP CONNECTION
In January ’89 the United Nations Environment Programme (U.N.E.P) launched the “Transmissions” project with GWW and A&M records. The project was created to foster awareness for environmental issues and it was the first time that the media, international dignatories and diplomats joined the music industry for such an event.
Many of these artists are contributing tracks to a “Spirit of the Forest” album to be released later in the year. This will be a compilation of both original and existing tracks with environmental themes.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT
The activities surrounding the “Spirit of the Forest” project and related efforts are designed to raise public awareness of the disappearing rainforests and the threat to all life on earth which the wanton destruction of our rainforests presents.
Various strategies for accomplishing this objective include:
- Using media to call public attention to the critical need to avert ecological and climatic disorder by protecting the rainforests.
- Increasing awareness among Western consumers and businessmen (importers, wholesalers, manufacturers, retailers) about the links between use of tropical products and rainforest destruction.
- Alerting consumers to choices they have which will help protect rainforests.
Funds will be distributed solely to projects dedicated to saving the planet through saving the rainforests, tribal peoples, wildlife, plant-life and millions of years of genetic information.
The Earth Love Fund, a registered charity (no. 328137) has been set up by GWW to administer the proceeds of the project. All revenues received from donations, airplay, sales and other commercial exploitation will be placed in tax-exempt, non-profit organisations.
The trustees of ELF have spent considerable time and care in examining various projects which will further their overall objectives and an advisory council has been set up to channel the proceeds into direct-action programmes which will prevent further destruction of the rainforests and raise awareness on a global scale.
The council comprises of:
DR. NOEL BROWN – DIRECTOR OF UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME
KOY THOMPSON – FRIENDS OF THE EARTH
RANDALL HAYES – DIRECTOR RAINFOREST NETWORK ACTION (USA)
IVAN HATTINGH – DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION WWF FOR NATURE (UK)
LIZ HOSKEN – GAIA FOUNDATION
JOSE LUTZENBERGER, LEADING BRAZILIAN ENVIRONMENTALIST
together with other leading scientists and experts in the field and the Forest People themselves.
The power of music is very strong – the message of this record is very direct:
LET IT BE HEARD.