PLAYING FOR CHANGE
Ξ April 27th, 2009 | → | ∇ General |
I have always been inspired by music. It is the rare time that I do not have music playing while I am creating in my studio. Whether it is classical, classic rock, folk, jazz, rhythm & blues or progressive I find that it soothes the soul. When I was teaching painting classes my students would often ask for music that I had introduced them to over time. I was pleased that they felt that this rhythm was helpful for them as well. I remember working once with someone that rarely listened to music and he commented on how it made him feel more relaxed and able to work. I will often times play my harmonicas along with the music while I paint. This is the only instrument that I play because I can do it while I paint. I also take great joy in singing along and harmonizing. I have come to memorize many lyrics over the years. About a year before leaving Manitoba a group of guys began jamming in my studio. One of them heard me playing my harmonica’s in the other room while they were jamming away in the other end of the building. He asked me to join in. I was a little timid at first, not having played in front of many people before and not with accomplished musicians such as they. I had a ball on Thursday nights after that. Sadly I was in the process of packing up to leave and said goodbye to those evenings. My last evening in Winnipeg found me in the studio jamming until very late. The sense of kinship that filled the room and the electricity was overwhelming every time we played together. I really miss that.
Tonight a good friend from Winnipeg introduced me to one of the greatest web sites I have seen. He sent a link that I will post at the end of my story. The link that he sent is also here. The song “Stand by me” as played by musicians from all over the world is a tremendously uplifting experience. The quote in the email is
“No celebs, not missed neither. Musicians from all over the world, people living in and of the reality. Each playing his own version of given theme ‘Stand By Me’ (B.B.King). It all has been filmed without previous arrangements , set-ups, they are just improvising. Music comes to life ad hoc and in public. It’s an awesome thing to hear, and such a good thing to feel. No joke you will FEEL IT.”
I have been informed by some of my music loving friends that it was not B.B. King but Ben E. King that should be credited for the song.
I was moved by watching this video as was my 16 year old son Jesse. He could not wipe the smile from his face. I hope that you feel the same way if you take the chance to view it.
ENJOY!
http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2539741 “Stand by me”
http://www.playingforchange.com/episodes
Playing for change
Playing for Change is a multimedia movement created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music.
on April 28th, 2009 at 9:10 am
Andrew,that was awesome! Gut reactions: such a good song choice(one of my favorites), couldn’t quit smiling, brought a tear to my eye and then, I wished that I could paint the faces of some of the singers. Ohhh such faces! Such joy! I will play this every morning. Thanks!
on April 29th, 2009 at 10:05 am
Hi Andrew, this is Rick the drummer from your Wpg studio, better known as the woodshack. Same sense of kinship fills this video. Hope to jam with you on your next visit. Imagine if the rest of the world could feel this same kinship, we could all Live…Laugh…Love…
on April 30th, 2009 at 8:43 am
Simply awesome… proof that music is one of the few things in this world that connects people on a human level, rising above cultural, political or religious barriers. Love it! Thanks for posting.
on May 25th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
The use of music in peace education (and music therapy) probably is worth several thousand percent more ROI than money spent on weapons and military hardware and half-baked initiatives from a corporate boardroom.
The Playing for Change episodes are each magical (including their latest War - No More Trouble). What a great use of technology, imagination, and common sense with a limited budget!
When will sanity prevail and we come to our cultural sensitivities?
All the best with your harmonica playing! Anything comparable to Toots Thielemans’ playing?!