Various Artists – Playing for Change Live CD/DVD
Various Artists – Playing for Change Live CD/DVD
Grammy Award winning producer/engineer Mark Johnson had a dream; a dream that has emerged into a much-talked about series where people of all nations find common ground to make beautiful music. I have to thank public television for the opportunity to catch Playing for Change – Songs Around the World, where Johnson and his team circled the globe for musicians in the least likely (and sometimes dangerous) places – from the isolated plains to the mountaintops. It is apparent that Johnson thrives on the theory‘music is the universal language.’ This exciting celebration of music was the follow-up in a series – which launched with the 2004 film Playing for Change – The Cinematic of Street Musicians; introducing Roger Ridley from the streets of Santa Monica, California. Ridley’s raw emotional tenor turned Ben E. King’s pop classic “Stand by Me” upside down. By the power of headphones and a very busy recording engineers, Johnson synched Ridley with forty other singers and musicians including a Zulu choir recorded in their home country and another soon-to-be PFC favorite – popular New Orleans’ street musician, Grandpa Elliott. Highlights on Songs Around the World included a Bob Marley concert performance of “War/No More Trouble”(mixed with choirs from India & Ireland and U2’s Bono) and “Don’t Worry,” the first original PFC tune played by the composer Pierre Minetti from Spain with assistance from Eliott and many PFC friends. Johnson certainly taught his audience that no matter what culture they grew up with or music experience they brought to the table,the participants’ enthusiasm was absolutely priceless.
Eventually,a core group from the PFC series congregated for a tour in 2009 through several continents including Spain and North America. Playing for Change Live features a crackerjack ten-piece band (appropriately titled the Playing for Change Band), including Elliott who has his own disc culled from the PFC band performances – Sugar Sweet. Considering the personnel have worked together, face to face for a short time, their stage presence is electric and they manage to keep the audience jumping, smiling and singing along when called to do so.
Elliott’s charismatic personality and on-point harmonica playing are two of the reasons to check out PFC Live beginning with the blues-drenched “Fannie Mae.” “Don’t Worry” focuses on the confident vocal trio – Clarence Bekker (The Netherlands), Ruth ‘Titi’ Tsira (South Africa) and Mermans Kenkosenki (Democratic Republic of the Congo). Roots reggae legend Toots Hibbert (Toots and the Maytals) channels an R&B spirit with the Otis Redding classic “I’ve Got Dreams to Remember.” Tsira’s elastic voice rides on the North African/funky backbeats of “Fela Ngaye.” One bonus on the DVD version is Elliott’s poignant reading of “Amazing Grace,” providing further reasoning why music can stir souls for the better.
The main concern on PFC Live is when the musicians switch into ‘jam band’ mode where some of the vocal strength and musicality is stripped. Examples include the overextended melody onthe DVD – “What’s Up” (the only hit for the rock band 4 Non-Blondes)with Bobby McFerrin’s trademark “Don’t Worry Be Happy”; and “Mado” which begins with fluent African reggae lines before engaging into a much too drawn out guitar solo by an otherwise very competent guitarist Louis Mhlanga (Zimbabwe).
Judging by the audiences who fully appreciated these musicians, and rightfully so most of the time, Johnson’s dream of Playing for Change will probably grow more legs and inspire another installment for the PFC musicians who still continue tour in 2010.
Peggy Oliver
The Urban Music Scene