Fabulous: Music from the Ceremonies of the Gay Games VI

1. You Gotta Go - Des ree
2. You ll Never Walk Alone - Hammerstein, Oscar
3. Sexual Revolution - Gray, Macy
4. Why? - Steinbachek
5. This Is My Life/I Am What I Am - Newell
6. Suffragette City - Bowie, David
7. Dali Mana Gamarada - Robertson, Damien
8. Celebration - Kool & the Gang
9. Shackles (Praise You) - Campbell, Warren
10. Free - Ultra Nate
11. Think - Franklin, Aretha
12. I m Every Woman - Ashford, Nick
13. Believe - Brown, Jocelyn
14. A Deeper Love - Cole, D.
15. We Are Family - Rodgers, Nile

It really is FABULOUS!!! - Compilation CD s aimed specifically at the gay market are usually hit and miss affairs. Often they can be filled with wonderful, uplifting tracks that stir our emotions and fill us with an elated feeling of happiness and a sense of belonging. Sometimes though, they are nothing more than cheesy affairs packed to the brim with gay athems and monotonous dance beats put out onto the market to sell a bucket load and therefore earn a profit. Fortunately, FABULOUS falls into the former catagory.The Sydney 2002 Gay Games were a huge success. Gay men and women from all over the world came to Sydney not only to participate in their sport (or artistic endevour), but to also come together as one big family and make new friends and share experiences from other cultures. The music on this CD, from the opening ceremony, has been carefully choosen to reflect that sentiment. The tracks on this CD are:You gotta be (Shauna Jensen) - A wonderful beginning to the CD, this track explores becoming aquainted with your own emotions, dealing with them, and no matter how hard life seems to get, love will save the day . Starting from a slow, pensive mood and working up into a mellow dance beat, this song is very inspiring.You ll never walk alone (K D Lang with the Sydney gay and lesbian choir) - A track recorded exclusively for the CD, I had tears and goosebumps by the end. A very inspiring and uplifting song that gives the message that there are others out there that share your emotions and experiences. Sexual Revolution (Leah Howard) - starts from a slow tempo and building up to a wonderful uplifting dance tempo, this explores the concept that we are able to be free amongst ourselves in our own communities, which is a wonderful liberation when dealing with other negative stigma in our lives.Why (Bronski Beat) - very eighties, but very danceable and inspiring with an important message about first love, coming to terms with internalised homophobia and fighting homophobia. This is my life/I am what I am (Judi Connelli) - Judi is a very successful and well respected cabaret/musical theatre performer in Australia with many many years in showbusiness. It is wonderful to hear her sing this medley of these 2 empowering sounds, pouring raw emotion into them. Judi s classical voice combined with modern dance beats provide a song that is very uplifting. Suffragette city (Paul Capsis) - Paul is an alternative cabaret artist/rock musician and actor here in Australia. He is not afraid to challenge the norm , and on this song we have pure rock with a 70 s feel dealing with themes of being on the edge - of not only straight society, but within the gay community itself. He asks for tolerance for being individual....which is a trait becoming less acceptable in the gay community where labelling people and trying to define them is becoming a way of life.Dali Mana Gamarada (Deborah Cheetham) - a very mellow, atmospheric and relaxing song to promote internal reflection and meditation. Starts quietly and builds up with a dance track. Has a wonderful world music feel to it...Celebration (Kool & the Gang) - the original 70 s get up and party anthem. Appropriate for the gay games and the times in our lives when we should be celebrating ourselves and each other.Shackles - praise you (Mary Mary) - modern dance track dealing with the theme of breaking free and inspiring to be yourself. A wonderful track to dance to.Free (Ultra Nate) - a more mellow dance track, with the theme of being free to do what you want to do . Obviously the target state of being for all gays and lesbians everywhere - overcoming our inhibitions and internalised homophobia.Think (Aretha Franklin) - I think everyone has heard this song at least once! The ultimate empowering song giving encouragement to stand and fight for the right not to be discriminated against and trying to get others to take responsibity for their discrimination.I m every woman (Chaka Khan) - a classic dance track, inspiring to lesbians and gay boys who worship female icons. Dance and be free!!!I Believe (Jamestown feat. Jocelyn Brown) - another dance track about reaching out and giving your love to others and being receptive to love from others. Very appropriate in the gay community as we seem to be heading towards a direction of crass commercialism and uncaring attitudes.A Deeper Love (Clivilles & Cole) - somewhat of a dance music ballad , this explores the theme of learning to love yourself - learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all (as Whitney used to sing!)We are family (Sister Sledge) - another 70 s track, and one that perfectly sums up the theme of the gay games and the gay community in general. Despite our differences, we are connected through our sexuality and hopefully we can get over our current state of segregation to become a loving, caring, sharing family .I don t think I have ever come across a CD containing a more diverse set of tracks that are so uplifting and inspiring to gays and lesbians everywhere. Listening to this CD will have you forgetting your blues and making you smile - and hopefully thinking more about yourself and your fellow gay brothers and sisters.