I really don’t understand why some people are complaining so much about this project. As Mark said, it’s bigger than the artists, it’s a cause. It’s like one of those guitars that get signed by dozens of musicians for charity and someone says the signatures ruined the instrument. Come on, guys.
I think the secretness of it played at least some part in the strange welcome of the project. I don't understand why everything needs to be so cryptic these days in the era of social media. Just say it's a reworking of "Going Home" on day 1 and nobody will have their expectations broken. You can also release additional teasers/videos/interviews in the process (of 2 years!) getting more attention to the cause, instead of suddenly releasing it.
I don't know, there are many ways to deal with the situation. This time and build-up was barely used at all, and the effect after the release will be weaker I'm sure. Their goal is to raise as much money as possible right?
On top of that, the musical qualities of the "product" also matter. Who said it doesn't matter only because it's a good cause? It's Mark Knopfler's most famous instrumental composition and his legacy if you want, and the first time in years that he worked with so many other artists, dream collaborations right there. David Gilmour's wife posted pictures with him and Mark, people went nuts — finally, they are working together! Mark and Sting are working together! Dogs and cats are living together.
As the random guy said in the recent video upon listening to the track, this new version is hip and cool but he'd better stick to the original. See, mixed opinions even in the freaking BBC documentary promoting the project.
