46664: The Event

“AIDS is no longer just a disease. It is a human rights issue,” says Nelson Mandela, who's working in conjunction with musicians, artists, businesses, and charities to raise awareness and money for 46664 (his old prison cell number), a global drive to fight HIV/AIDS, which afflicts some 40 million worldwide--26 million of whom reside in sub-Saharan Africa. The centerpiece, media-wise, is this widely televised/Internet-streamed November 29, 2003 concert in Capetown, South Africa, where two dozen-plus musical acts performed before a crowd of 40,000. As with most “event” concerts, the results here are mixed, with moments both ridiculous and sublime. Yes, there's the huge disconnect between the message (thousands dying every day from AIDS) and the medium (the concert opens with a nano-skirted Beyoncé and leggy posse doing a--to quote Mystikal--“shake yo ass” routine to “Crazy in Love”), but there's always something rather surreal about rock stars (the ultimate haves) fighting for the poor, sick, and oppressed (the ultimate have-nots). And, yes, the concert itself is a sprawling, ungainly affair that not only tries to be all things to all ears but also constantly interrupts the music for PSAs (Nelson Mandela's onstage speech is eloquent; Ms. Dynamite showering the front rows with condoms is not; and Yusuf Islam's--i.e., Cat Stevens--plea for “shared humanity” no doubt will ring a little hollow to Salman Rushdie). Still, for every Danny K (who?) sharing his first single (“Hurts So Bad,” which is as absolutely insipid as it sounds), there are some genuine musical jewels here: Peter Gabriel's “Biko,” Johnny Clegg's “Asimbonanga,” Jimmy Cliff's “Many Rivers to Cross,” and the reunited Eurythmics' “Here Comes the Rain” and “Sweet Dreams” (which has Oprah jammin' in her box seat next to Mandela). Still, because Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen were instrumental in getting the show kicked off, there are far too many tunes from the grossly-misnamed Queen's Greatest Hits, Volume 2 (although it's hard to resist the sight of the Soweto Gospel Choir singing the opening to “Bohemian Rhapsody” and the Tina Turner-channeling Anastacia does a fair job on the vocals for “We Will Rock You”). Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo, DVD extras include a 25-minute behind-the-scenes documentary, the 28-minute “Spirit of Africa” documentary, musician interviews, and more. Bottom line, as always: the cause rises well above the nitpicking. Recommended. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)