Playing For Change – Songs Around The World
by Bambi Weavil
Playing For Change – Songs Around The World
“As a human race we come together for birth, we come together for death. What brings us together in between is up to us. Stop and listen to the universal language of music and bring that positive energy with you everywhere you go.”
- Mark Johnson, founder of Playing for Change
For the past four years, the crew associated with Playing For Change, traveled around the world with recording equipment and cameras to find inspiration. They traveled streets and subways of Native American reservations, through African towns and villages, up to the Himalayan Mountains and beyond. What they found in this journey is a movement connecting the world through the universal language of music. This album is the collective statement from over 100 musicians spanning five continents. Many of them have not met in person but through their different cultures, these songs showcase the profound human connection and willingness to unite. Now more than ever, music like this is made to be heard.
“Stand By Me” performed by Santa Monica native Roger Ridley inspired the producers of this record on the streets. This song transformed Playing for Change from a small group of individuals to a global movement of peace and understanding. This track features over 35 global musicians.
“One Love”, the Bob Marley classic, and as far as I’m concerned one of the testiments of the world, is apart of the album courtesy of the lead vocals of Keb’ Mo, Mermans Kenkosenki from Congo, “Tula” Tal Ben Ari from Israel, Vusi Mahlasela from South Africa and more. Recording and filming began in Dharamsala, India and features artists from around the world representing the message of one love and coming together.
“War / No More Trouble”, another Bob Marley classic, couldn’t reflect the current state of the world more. Artists like Rocky Dawuni from Ghana team up with the legendary Bono from Ireland and create synergy and unity in inspiration. The global artists from this track represent musicians who have seen and overcome conflict and hatred with love and the spirit of perseverance.
“Biko”, the Peter Gabriel cover features Rocky Dawuni and Keb’ Mo’, that testifies that the “eyes of the world are watching now” in a effort to remember the past and come together for the future to create a better world together.
Playing for Change also features a original song by Spain’s Pierre Minetti that speaks of unity with the lyrics “let’s don’t worry my brother, in this world we are all the same, we must find peace” and features over 20 musicians from four continents that are connected through the message and the music.
One of my favorite songs of all time, “Talkin’ Bout A Revolution,” written and originally recorded by Tracy Chapman, fits this album perfectly. The lead vocals feature Mermans Kenkosenki, and Jason Tamba, and was recorded in South Africa during the construction of the Ntonga Music School, the first Playing for Change Foundation project. The artists of this recording have seen the horrors of the war in Congo directly and can take a incredible stance in the emergence of the Music Revolution.
“Love Rescue Me”, written by U2 and Bob Dylan, was recorded with the Omagh Community Youth Choir in Northen Ireland. Their performance moved U2’s Bono and The Edge. The youth chior was established in 1998 after a tragic bombing terriorized Omagh, Northern Ireland. Love has rescued and taught them how to overcome their differences and it’s a great model to the rest of the global community.
The album itself concludes with “A Change Is Gonna Come”, the Sam Cooke classic sung by Clarence Bekker and Grandpa Elliott, and was recorded in New Orleans in front of thousands of people. They sing with the heart of the soul and conviction of the change that is needing to come.
Please support this inspiring and amazing musical project, which includes a special DVD, by purchasing here.
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