Yet again, certain artists use their power and influence to take steps toward doing their part to help out during a bad situation. This time, a number of bands and solo artists have banded together to donate tracks to War Child:Hope, a charity album whose proceeds will go to the War Child foundation. The first War Child benefit record was released in 1994, with the money raised going to help children in war-torn Yugoslavia, while the proceeds now will fund relief efforts in Iraq. Amongst the artists involved are Travis, Moby, The Charlatans, Paul McCartney and David Bowie. While not all of the artists involved with the 17-tracks are currently known, certain information has been made available. New Order will cover Jimmy Cliff’s “Vietnam,” Avril Levigne will be one of a long line of artists who have tried their hand at the classic “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan, while three artists, David Bowie (”Everyone Says Hi”), Paul McCartney (”Calico Skies”) and Yasuf Islam/Cat Stevens (”Peace Train”), will reprise their own previously-recorded works. The album has an April 21 street date (via WEA) in the UK, with no known US release scheduled at this time.

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