Gathering together brilliant artists including Baaba Maal, Keb Mo, Sandra de Sá, Taj Mahal, Tinariwen, Carlos Vives, Roger Ridley, Grandpa Elliot, Stephen Marley, Mermans Kenkosenki, Char and Toumani Diabate, this second release by Playing for Change, “Songs Around the World” is a refreshing collection of covers reinterpreted in a key of exotic mixture of raggae, dub, African drums, blues and soul.
“Playing For Change” is a multimedia music project created by the American producer and sound engineer Mark Johnson with his Timeless Media Group, that seeks to bring together musicians from around the world.
The project started in 2004 with the organization’s self described goal to “inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music”. The creators of the project, Mark Johnson and Enzo Buono, traveled around the world to places such as New Orleans, Barcelona, South Africa, India, Nepal, the Middle East and Ireland. Using a mobile recording equipment, the duo recorded local musicians performing the same song, interpreted into their own style. Among the artists participating, or openly involved in the project, include Vusi Mahlasela, Louis Mhlanga, Clarence Bekker, Tal Ben Ari (Tula), Bono, Keb’ Mo’, David Broza, Manu Chao and Grandpa Elliott.
The project’s first single “Stand by Me”, began with a Santa Monica street performer named Roger Ridley. The duo traveled the world, recording more and more musicians. All of these versions were considered for mixing a pastiche final version.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM&w=500&h=305]
This second collection is interesting and charming, I love the most the versions of Rolling Stone’s “Gimme Shelter”, Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground”, John Lennon’s “Imagine”, but the whole record is refreshing and exciting.
Disc 1 (CD):
1. Three Little Birds
2. Gimme Shelter
3. La Tierra del Olvido
4. Satchita
5. Music Is My Ammunition
6. Redemption Song
7. Higher Ground
8. Groove In G
9. Minuit
10. Imagine
Disc 2 (DVD):
1. Three Little Birds
2. Gimme Shelter
3. La Tierra del Olvido
4. Satchita
5. (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay
6. Music Is My Ammunition
7. Redemption Song
8. Higher Ground
9. Groove In G
10. Imagine
11. The Movement [Bonus Chapter]
Price: $15.99 – Buy
The change is up to you.
Playing For Change – Official Site
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJtq6OmD-_Y&w=500&h=305]
