Dark Was the Night (album)

Dark Was the Night
Compilation album for charity by
Red Hot AIDS Benefit Series
ReleasedFebruary 16, 2009
Recorded2005–2008
Genre
Length130:19
Label4AD (DAD 2835)
ProducerAaron and Bryce Dessner of the National
Red Hot AIDS Benefit Series chronology
Red Hot + Riot
(2002) 		Dark Was the Night
(2009) 		Red Hot + Rio 2
(2011)
Singles from Dark Was the Night
  1. "Knotty Pine" / "So Far Around the Bend"
    Released: February 2, 2009
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Drowned in Sound8/10[2]
Gigwise[3]
Music Feeds[4][5]
Pitchfork8.6/10[6]
Robert ChristgauA−[7]
The Skinny[8]
Toro[9]

Dark Was the Night is the twentieth compilation release benefiting the Red Hot Organization, an international charity dedicated to raising funds and awareness for HIV and AIDS. Featuring exclusive recordings by a number of independent artists and production by Aaron and Bryce Dessner of the National, the compilation was released on 16 February 2009 (UK) and 17 February (US) as a double CD, three vinyl LPs, and as a digital download.[10] John Carlin, the founder of the Red Hot Organization, was the executive producer for the album. The title is derived from the Blind Willie Johnson song "Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground", which is covered on this collection by the Kronos Quartet.

  1. ^ Phares, Heather. "Various Artists, Dark Was the Night: Red Hot Compilation". AllMusic. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  2. ^ Skinner, James (2009-02-16). "Various — Dark Was the Night / Releases". Drownedinsound.com. Archived from the original on 2017-11-07. Retrieved 2012-02-12.
  3. ^ Hot right now (2009-02-13). "Various Artists – 'Dark Was The Night' (4AD) Released 16/02/09". Gigwise. Archived from the original on 2012-04-04. Retrieved 2012-02-12.
  4. ^ Music Feeds review (very positive; missing rating)
  5. ^ Music Feeds article by same reviewer, mentioning rating: "Now I know I gave Dark Was The Night a 10/10 as well..."
  6. ^ Plagenhoef, Scott (2009-02-26). "Various Artists — Dark Was The Night". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2012-04-09.
  7. ^ Christgau, Robert (April 2009). "CG: Dark Was the Night". Robertchristgau.com. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  8. ^ Album review by Gillian Watson. (2009-02-13). "Various Artists — Dark Was The Night". The Skinny. Retrieved 2012-02-12.
  9. ^ "Good was the Compilation". Toro Magazine. 2009-02-18. Retrieved 2012-02-12.
  10. ^ 4AD – News – Dark Was the Night – full artist list, artwork and release date confirmed Archived 2009-06-28 at the Wayback Machine