From the Wikipedia: “Red Hot + Blue is the first in the series of compilation albums from the Red Hot Organization… It features contemporary pop performers reinterpreting several songs of Cole Porter, and the title of the album comes from Cole Porter’s musical Red, Hot and Blue.
“Released in 1990, it sold over a million copies worldwide and was heralded as one of the first major AIDS benefits in the music business. The accompanying ABC television special [which I watched at the time] featured music videos for the songs. The clips portrayed the societal effects of AIDS.”
Yes, a good cause, to be sure. But also great music. It made my list of the top 25 albums previous 25 years back in 2010.
Lest you think the AIDS crisis is over: According to UNAIDS:
“There were approximately 36.7 million people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS at the end of 2016. Of these, 2.1 million were children (under 16 years old).
“An estimated 1.8 million individuals worldwide became newly infected with HIV in 2016 – about 5,000 new infections per day. This includes 160,000 children (under 16 years).”
Here are some US stats.
There were several followup albums to Red Hot + Blue. These are just the ones I own:
Red Hot + Dance (1992)- features three new songs by George Michael
No Alternative (1993) – alternative rock
Sexual Healing – Soul Asylum
Red Hot + Country (1994) – music from the classic country and rock genres performed by seasoned old and new country music artists, often together
Teach Your Children – Suzy Bogguss, Kathy Mattea, and Crosby, Stills and Nash
The T.B. is Whipping Me= Wilco and Syd Straw
Red Hot + Rio (1996) – a contemporary tribute to the Bossa nova sound, especially the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim
Use Your Head – Money Mark
Red Hot + Rhapsody (1998) – celebrating George Gershwin
Summertime – Bobby Womack and The Roots
A Foggy Day In London Town – David Bowie and Angelo Badalamenti
By George (& Ira): Red Hot on Gershwin (1998) – compilation of previous cuts
Red Hot + Riot: The Music and Spirit of Fela Kuti (2002)
By Your Side – Sade
16 songs (plus two ringers) of the 20 songs from Red Hot + Blue HERE.