Various artists - Released: The Human Rights Concerts 1986-1998

Amnesty International played an important role in the history of benefit concerts—even inspiring Irish rocker Bob Geldof to stage Live Aid in 1985. The human rights organization’s own concerts redefined the way music interacted with social causes. This stellar two-CD collection (a six-DVD box set is also available) brings together some of the biggest names in popular music. Bryan Adams singing “Summer of ’69” is just one of the highlights drawn from 1986’s A Conspiracy of Hope tour, while Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band racing through “Born in the USA” is a thrilling performance from 1988’s Human Rights Now! tour. Other standouts in the package include Sting’s moving delivery of “They Dance Alone” from 1990’s An Embrace of Hope concert in Santiago, Chile and Peter Gabriel’s thrilling duet with Youssou N’Dour on “In Your Eyes” from 1998’s The Struggle Continues concert in Paris. Taken as a whole, the 30 tracks form a powerful musical—and political—statement.