Many
bands that flame out in a hail or cocktail of drugs, alcohol and/or
recrimination are bestowed iconic status unjustly, as if their
unfortunate demise — particularly if a band member dies — automatically
confers legendary standing. Sublime, though, was one of those few
groups about which you actually wonder how they would have aged were it
not for singer Bradley Nowell’s lethal overdose. Such was the
deliriously intoxicating mixture and fusion of their styles.
Filmed on the evening of October 24, 2005 at the Fonda Theater’s Music Box, Look at All the Love We Found: A Tribute to Sublime
gathers a group including Unwritten Law, Los Lobos, Ozomatli, Fishbone
and Blackalicious for a benefit concert to raise money for the
MusiCares Fund and its offshoot Hurricane Relief Fund, as well as offer
a nod of respect and acknowledgment of Sublime’s influence. By teaming
up with a few surprise guests to perform Sublime classics in
jam-session style and share memories of their experiences with the
group, these artists showcase how the love of music knows few borders,
and sounds and subsets of one ilk can inspire others irrespective of
dominant genre preference.
The song “Badfish” gets a nice workout from Long Beach Shortbus,
while The Ziggens take a pass at “Paddle Out.” Other numbers include
Jam Session’s offering of “Santeria,” which really suffers in
comparison to the loose-limbed glory of the original cut,
Blackalicious’ “Alphabet Aerobics,” Los Lobos’ “Pawn Shop” and Jam
Session’s “What I Got.” All in all, it’s a fine celebratory offering —
one that succeeds on its own terms while still generating a genuine
nostalgia for what might have been.
Clocking in just under an hour, alongside a 35-minute bonus CD, Look at All the Love We Found
is presented as a region-free disc. A music video for Fishbone’s
version of “Date Rape” is included (the song also rates well in
concert), along with an in-depth photo slide show and footage from the
album release party of the original disc of the same name. The audio
CD, meanwhile, includes Dr. Israel’s version of “Had a Dat,” Bedouin
Soundclash’s take of “Waiting for My Ruca,” Mishka’s stab at “Roots of
Creation,” the aforementioned Fishbone track, Brain Failure’s live
cover of “Get Out,” Mystic Roots Band’s take on “Don’t Push” and — in
an intriguing mash-up — The Banned and Public Enemy’s Chuck D joining
forces on “Ebin.” There’s also a gatefold color booklet with track
credits and photographs. B+ (Show) B (Disc)