The now biennial Rainforest Foundation Benefit was held last night at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Sting is the architect of the show each year and his wife Trudie Styler is the producer.
This years show was titled Baby It's Cold Outside. This years show featured Performances from Sting, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, Idina Menzel, Darlene Love, Ronnie Spector, Chris Botti, The Manhattan Girls Choir, Vittorio Grigolo and special guests Jennifer Nettles and Gina Gershon.
The massive house band included musical director Narada Michael Walden and Will Lee and Felicia Collins from the CBS Orchestra(Former Band for Late Night With David Letterman).
The show opened with an extended version of Carol of the Bells from the house band. The arrangement was reminiscent of the Trans Siberian Orchestra version. After that, the artists came out to perform, more often than not, a song and then introduce the next performer. Sadly, there were very few moments where the artists shared the stage together, which was very common in the early years of the benefits.
Chris Botti and James Taylor did perform together after the initial opening, and Mr. Botti left after that having a performance that night at The Blue Note. Mr. Taylor once again shared the stage with Indina Menzel for Baby It's Cold Outside, and Bruce and background vocalist Lisa Fischer sang Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out together.
After Bruce, Jennifer Nettles performed Do You Hear What I Hear? where all the artists joined her midway through.
In earlier years, it was very common for one artist to share vocals or add instrumental accompaniment for another artist. It may have been limited rehearsal time which accounted for this.
Overall it was a very good show and one for a good cause, so there is not much that you can complain about.
Here is the setlist:
Carol of the Bells - All Star Band
Winter Wonderland - James Taylor & Chris Botti
Soul Cake - Sting w/Gina Gershon on juice harp
Speech by Trudie Styler
Let It Go - Idina Menzel w/Manhattan Girls Chorus
River(Joni Mitchell cover) - James Taylor
The Cherry Tree Carol - Sting
Aria from Pagliacci - Vittorio Grigolo
Empty Chair - Sting
Nessum Dorma - Vittorio Grigolo w/Manhattan Girls Chorus
Frosty the Snowman - Ronnie Spector
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - Ronnie Spector
Last Christmas(Wham cover) - Sting w/Backing Vocalists
Christmas(Baby, Please Come Home) - Darlene Love
Baby It's Cold Outside - James Taylor & Idina Menzel
Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree - Darlene Love
I Wish it Could be Christmas Everyday(Wizzard cover) - Sting
Santa Claus is Comin' to Town - Bruce Springsteen
Merry Christmas Baby - Bruce Springsteen
Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out - Bruce Springsteen & Lisa Fischer
Do You Hear What I Hear? - Jennifer Nettles & All
Joy to the World - All
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