cd review Archives - Dad of Divas

CD Review – Tennessee Christmas by Amy Grant #Giveaway

November 30, 2016 by dadofdivas 6 Comments

Amy Grant, one of the most iconic and beloved songwriters in Christian music, has released her first all new Christmas album nearly 20 years. features an updated recording of the Amy Grant Christmas standard, Tennessee Christmas, 6 new songs and traditional Christmas favorites Baby, It’s Cold Outside (featuring Vince Gill), O Come All Ye Faithful & Joy To The World. This brand new album showcases Amy’s classic vocal with intimate and mellow arrangements, interspersed with personal stories and holiday memories. Featuring a team of acclaimed producers, this medley of seasonal tracks is sure to be a record that is returned to year after year.

Christmas music has become synonymous with Amy Grant over the years, which has led to over 2.7 million Christmas albums sold in her career. This season, Grant will embark on a west coast Christmas tour and stop at the iconic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee with husband Vince Gill for 9 shows.

Purchase the Album on or iTunes

My Take on the CD

I have been a big fan of Amy Grant for years. I think one of the first Christmas albums that I remember my parents playing over and over again was the original that Amy Grant put out many years ago. While she has had numerous other albums and Christmas albums over the years, this was the first that truly embodied the meaning the family that the holiday brings to my home. This album provides you with a glimpse into her life and into the traditions that are important to them. This insiders view of this iconic singer was so much fun and I found that there were no songs on the album that I would say that you should skip, in fact you may even want to listen to them a couple of times.

My faorite songs on the album are probably Tennessee Christmas and Christmas for You and Me, but I truly enjoyed all of the songs and you will too!

Giveaway

How would you like to get a copy of this for yourself or your family? All you have to do to enter is:

Leave a comment with your favorite holiday song.
Share this giveaway socially and comment below on where you shared this.
ENTER THE GIVEAWAY! –

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CD Review – Furious ( @vineyardmusic )

September 23, 2011 by dadofdivas 57 Comments

About the CD

Vineyard Worship artist and worship leader Jeremy Riddle has announced the release of his new studio album entitled, Furious. The album is set for release on September 20 via NewDay Distribution.

Riddle began production on the album nearly a year ago with Dove Award winning producer Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin, Matthew West, David Crowder Band) at the helm. Cash’s contribution forms the backbone of the album which also features production from Bobby Hartry, a long time Riddle collaborator. The project follows Prepare The Way: Live, an album recorded in front of a live audience in Corpus Christi, Tex., earlier this year from Vineyard.

Riddle describes Furious saying, “It’s hard to come up with words that depict the magnitude of Christ’s love – the depth and width of it. Furious doesn’t work outside of the context of love; we tend to translate the word as angry, but I see it as a super-powerful force; stronger, deeper, broader than our vocabulary can fully describe.”

Four years on the road as a touring worship leader eventually took its toll on Jeremy, so in January 2011, the former jr. high youth pastor came on staff as worship community pastor at Bethel Church in Redding, Calif. Working under pastors Brian and Jenn Johnson, Jeremy facilitates a worship community of over 200 people within the church.

“My wife (Katie) and I have always had a heart to serve the local church and never wanted to do the full-time travel thing for very long, so it felt like a good time to transition into something different,” Jeremy says. “I’ve developed such an appreciation for the fruit that has been sowed from my life – personally and artistically – by being part of a local community.”

Consequently, several of the tracks on Furious are also featured on Be Lifted High, the most recent album from Bethel Church.

“These songs are a reflection of being part of something bigger than just me,” Jeremy says. “Through some significant growth in understanding and living out humility from a very independent place, I’ve shifted into a place where I can’t even claim this record is completely inspired by me. There are so many elements of the album that could never have flowed from me had I not been connected to people walking out life with me.”

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vineyard-Music/18257532074

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/vineyardmusic

Website: http://www.vineyardmusic.com/vm/

My Take on the CD

The CD contains twelve Christian songs. They are upbeat and speak of God’s love.
Some of the songs reflect how God’s love is deep, wide, strong and glorious , and He calls us as His sons and daughters to live our lives in His Word. In the same vein , God’s love never fades and He never gives up on us. We have an assurance that there is no fear in the light of God’s love for us.

Jeremy sings songs of worship and praise to God. He reminds us that everything we have is because of God’s love for us.

Other songs speak of God’s son Jesus. The songs remind us of the love of Jesus. How He died on the cross for us and was always faithful to his Father.
The song “THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD”, takes the popular scripture verse and reminds us that each day we choose how we will spend our day and what kind of choices we will make. The song encourages us to choose God’s way. Look to the Bible to find the source of how we should spend each breathing moment of our lives. A life that is given to us by God through the sacrifice of His only son Jesus.

The CD is easy to listen to and the words will lift you up in the celebration of being Christian and living the life God has planned for you.

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Cantilena: Night Songs from Around the World

September 22, 2010 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

About the CDYellow Tail Records is proud to announce the new release “Cantilena: Night Songs from Around the World,” a collection by award winning classical guitarist Hilary Field and vocalist Patrice O’Neill. Also featuring virtuoso acoustic duo Mike Marshall and Darol Anger, Grammy award winning English hornist Nancy Rumbel, and principal musicians from the Seattle Symphony and Pacific Northwest Ballet orchestras, this disc spans the globe with international and classical night songs and lullabies for grownups…and their kids! For more information and sound samples, please visit www.cantilenahome.com

This new CD, which is due to be released on September 21, 2010, is a follow up to “Siente: Night Songs from Around the World.” Siente, released in 2007, was awarded the Parents Choice Gold Award, NAPPA Gold Award, iParenting Media Award of Excellence, was a finalist for the Independent Music Awards Children’s Album of the Year, and was featured in Fit Pregnancy and Parenting Magazine.

My Take on The CDWith smooth sounds and wonderful musical blend this duo was made for each other. These songs are great for our bedtime routine and the girls seem to like them as well. As a musician I am always listening for quality blends and sounds and these two artists were great! I highly recommend that you all grab this CD for yourself!

If this CD Sounds like one you would like in your own home you can find it on Amazon!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site’s Terms of Use for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Paul McCartney & Wings’ legendary Band on the Run to be reissued on 11/2

September 20, 2010 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

MPL and the Concord Music Group are pleased to announce the reelease of Paul McCartney & Wings’ iconic Band on the Run on November 2nd, 2010. Heralded as one of the greatest albums of all time, the GRAMMY winning, smash # 1 album – originally released December of 1973 – yielded the immortal title track and world-wide hit “Jet” becoming Wings’ most successful and celebrated album ever.

Paul McCartney personally supervised all aspects of the Band on the Run reissue. The remastering work was done at Abbey Road using the same team who recently remastered the complete Beatles’ catalog.

Band on the Run will be available in a variety of formats originating with the single disc digitally remastered, essential 9-track standard edition. The 3 disc (2CD, 1 DVD) special edition features nine bonus audio tracks (including the top 10 smash “Helen Wheels”), rare footage of the McCartneys in Lagos and behind-the-scenes at the famous album cover shoot, original Band on the Run promotional video clips, the One Hand Clapping television special (highlighted by studio performances filmed at Abbey Road in 1974) all with beautifully enhanced packaging. Collectors will be especially thrilled by the 4 disc (3CD, 1 DVD) deluxe edition which adds an extraordinary 120-page hard bound book containing many unseen and unpublished photos by Linda McCartney and Clive Arrowsmith, album and single artwork, downloadable hies audio versions of the remastered album and bonus audio tracks, a full history of the album complete with a new interview with Paul and expanded track by track information for all four discs. The deluxe edition also includes a special Band on the Run audio documentary (originally produced for the 25th Anniversary edition.) The original remastered album and bonus audio content will also be issued in a 2 disc 180gm audiophile vinyl edition that comes with an MP3 download of all 18 tracks. Lastly, the standard and deluxe versions of Band on the Run will be available digitally worldwide.

The musical achievement of Band on the Run is nearly matched by the amazing story behind its creation. Intrigued with recording abroad in the summer of 1973, McCartney searched for a list of studios around the world. Spotting one in the remote location of Lagos, Nigeria, he became enthralled with the idea of recording in Africa. Days before departure, lead guitarist Henry McCullough and drummer Denny Seiwell quit the band leaving the entire project to the three core members, Paul, his wife Linda McCartney and band-member Denny Laine (along with recording engineer Geoff Emerick). Recorded in August and September of 1973 (with further work done at AIR Studios in London in October 1973), they persevered through a tumultuous, yet creatively invigorating 2 month recording process battling difficult studio conditions, oppressive heat and a dangerous mugging at knife point. The thieves made off with the demo tapes (among other valuables), forcing the band to record the entire album from memory.

Band on the Run triumphed both critically and commercially. The album topped the US album chart 3 separate times, won a Grammy and went on to sell more than 7 million copies. Upon the release of Band on the Run, then Rolling Stone reviewer Jon Landau famously gushed, “The finest record yet released by any of the four musicians who were once called The Beatles.”

Paul is currently playing five songs from the album on his ‘Up and Coming Tour’. Live favorites over the last 8 years of touring have included “Jet”, “Band on the Run” and “Let Me Roll It”. In 2008 when Paul played a free outdoor show to over 500,000 people in Kiev, a Ukrainian poll listed “Mrs Vandebilt” as their all time favorite Paul McCartney song. It’s been included in the set ever since. At the start of this tour Paul added “Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five” to the set.

Band on the Run marks the first release from the Paul McCartney Archive Collection, an ambitious reissue program that encompasses 40 years of cherished, classic material from the most successful songwriter and recording artist in music history. It’s also the initial physical release of the recently announced agreement between McCartney’s MPL and Concord Music Group to globally market and distribute McCartney’s venerated solo and Wings catalog.

BAND ON THE RUN TRACKLIST:

Remastered Album
1. Band on the Run
2. Jet
3. Bluebird
4. Mrs Vandebilt
5. Let Me Roll It
6. Mamunia
7. No Words
8. Picasso’s Last Words (Drink to Me)
9. Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five

Bonus Audio Tracks
1. Helen Wheels
2. Country Dreamer
3. Bluebird [from One Hand Clapping]
4. Jet [from One Hand Clapping]
5. Let Me Roll It [from One Hand Clapping]
6. Band on the Run [from One Hand Clapping]
7. Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five [from One Hand Clapping]
8. Country Dreamer [from One Hand Clapping]
9. Zoo Gang

Audio Documentary
Remastered documentary disc originally produced for the 25th Anniversary release of Band on the Run. Featuring interview contributions from Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney, Denny Laine, Geoff Emerick, Tony Visconti, Al Coury, Clive Arrowsmith, James Coburn, John Conteh, Kenny Lynch, Michael Parkinson, Christopher Lee, Clement Freud, and Dustin Hoffman.

DVD
1. Band on the Run Music Video
2. Mamunia Music Video
3. Album Promo
Featuring Band on the Run, Mrs Vandebilt, Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five, Bluebird
4. Helen Wheels Music Video
5. Wings In Lagos
6. Osterley Park
7. One Hand Clapping

Paul McCartney Official Site: http://www.paulmccartney.com/
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/PaulMcCartney
MySpace Page: http://www.myspace.com/paulmccartney

Pre-order Links:

Family Impact Parenting Products

September 19, 2010 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

About the ProductsAre Your Kids Driving You Nuts?

The Are Your Kids Driving You Nuts? is a 115-page parenting resource manual. It teaches you how to avoid parent traps like Control, Anger, Rage, Arguing, Lying, etc. Dr. James Jones has a down-to-earth approach that teaches the principles of correct parenting with humor and common sense. You will find practical, easy to understand solutions to many common parenting problems–and they really work!

My Take on the BookA humorous, but insightful book on the pitfalls that many of us fall into as parents and what we need to be thinking about if we are to survive. I know that I have definitely struggled with a number of the issues that Dr. Jones talks about in the book, and the nice thing about this book is that it does not make you feel stupid for having difficulty. On the contrary, Dr. Jones make you feel empowered and willing to take on a new challenge one at a time. This will definitely be a book that I will be reading over and over as I make the change myself for the better!

If you have an interest in this book you can find it on Amazon!

The 3 Nevers

Single CD

$35.00

Dr. Jones most popular CD. Find out how to immediately improve your family relationships.

My Take on the CD

I was given a sample of this audio CD. I was impressed by how straight-forward, humorous and self-effacing the speaker was. He made me think twice about some of the practices that I was using with my own child and I can say that I would definitely have listened to the whole lecture if I had been given the chance. Family impact offers 16 full length CD’s for families on a number of issues. If all of the other lectures follow the same mantra of this, I would highly recommend that you also listen in to gain some great insights into your own parenting skills.

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Here come the Rattles – A Great New Kids Music Group

September 16, 2010 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

About the GroupArmed with a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed fusion of classic rock and power pop, The Rattles are on a roll! Parents, kids, and music lovers of all ages have been singing unanimous praises for ‘RATTLE ON’ (August 17^th), the lively full-length debut from this furry musical menagerie – composed of life-long friends Gus, Sal, Hal, and Kitty.

Acclaimed parenting author and ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’ Editor, Susan Heim referred to the album as “unique”, “catchy”, and “awesome” while Blissful Bee Blog recommended it to “anyone who has children that love music.” The Clever Mommy Chronicles drew comparisons to The Beatles, They Might Be Giants, and Rilo Kiley, and raved, “Really, truly, the CD is fantastic. In fact, I was disappointed because it only has nine tracks. I found myself wanting more. That’s pretty big for a kids’ CD!”

To celebrate the ‘RATTLE ON’ album release, The Rattles recently unveiled their snazzy new official website, RattlesRock.com. This fully decked-out, colorful little corner of cyber-space allows The Rattles’ biggest fans to read up on the band’s back-story, listen to some groovy tunes, scope out a slew of tour photos, play interactive games, and shop for official band gear at the online store. There is even a special section for parents!

Also in support of their debut release, The Rattles are launching a special presale for ‘RATTLE ON’ offered directly to the fans, starting on August 10^th. All fans that purchase the album before its official release will receive a deluxe package with Rattles gear and a CD with one bonus video, courtesy of The Rattles themselves!

Stay tuned for more news about upcoming videos and tour dates!

The Rattles

‘RATTLE ON’

Release Date: August 17, 2010 – In Digital and CD Format

Full Tracklisting

Rattle On
Lucky Sam’s Banana Stand
Shipwreck in the Sky
Wavy Lane
Goodbye Yesterday
1-2-3 Count on Me
R-A-T-T-L-E-S
Monday Morning Drive
Apple of My Eye

My Take on the Group My kids love listening to music so I am always willing to try out a new group! The kids were definitely intrigued with the cover art on this album and once we put the CD on they were hooked! The music was definitely upbeat and catchy and were tunes that even adults can love. As a person who always liked They Might Be Giants, I found this group to be similar (but geared more towards kids)!

Want to know more about the Rattles – follow them on Twitter –http://twitter.com/therattlesband

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Flannery Brothers Release Another Great Album!

August 28, 2010 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

About the Group
Winners of thirteen prestigious awards, including the Lennon Award for Best Children’s Song in the 2008 John Lennon Songwriting Contest, the Flannery Brothers are known for their engaging, easy-going, “jam session in our living room” style of family music. With influences ranging from Jonathan Richman and The Beach Boys to Harry Nilsson and the Muppets, the band is dedicated to creating musical experiences that are honest, organic, fun, and respectful of kids and their families.

Responding to the overwhelming success of their first two albums, Love Songs for Silly Things and Move Over Lullabies … It’s Time for Wake Up Songs, the Flannery Brothers look ahead with great anticipation to the October 19 release of their third CD, The New Explorers Club. The New Explorers Club invites everyone in the family to go exploring. Filled with danceable, clappable, singable, family-friendly rock songs, The New Explorers Club enthusiastically encourages seeking adventure and viewing the world with a fresh perspective. While songs about submarine diving, kite flying, and pirates might be expected in this context, listeners may be surprised to hear a reggae number about lying down on the kitchen floor or an exciting boogie woogie tune about swallowing a bug!

My Take on the Album

Full of high energy fun lyrics, the New Explorers Club is a great album for kids and parents alike. With a mix of both musicality and rhyming listeners are brought into a world of fun and enthusiasm. I have to say that my favorite track on the album was Pirate or Parrot, but I also liked Green Submarine as well.

From my kids they all stated that they loved the album and have asked multiple times (in a row) to listen to the album, which is always a great sign!

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CD Review & Giveaway – Monkey Monkey Music

July 27, 2010 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

About the CD
NYC-based singer/songwriter Meredith LeVande could truly be termed a “Renaissance woman of children’s music.” Meredith not only holds undergraduate degrees in Women’s Studies and English, she also has a master’s degree in music and a law degree! Drawing from all these disciplines for her multi-faceted work with children, Meredith heads up a project with the marvelously mischievous moniker Monkey Monkey Music, with a focus on “putting the child back into children’s music.”

Five years ago Meredith’s debut album, Monkey Monkey Music with Meredith LeVande, became an instant hit with families nationwide, was a Parenting magazine “Pick,” and was in rotation on Sirius Satellite Radio, earning a grassroots reputation as a classic children’s recording. Meredith LeVande has, since 2005, devoted herself to performing for children in intimate settings, becoming a favorite among NYC area families and creating a repertoire that has grown organically due to her one-on-one interactions with children of virtually every culture imaginable.

With the new Monkey Monkey Music CD, What Are the Odds?, Meredith has created something remarkable, finding the middle road between baby songs and pop band songs where kids’ lyrics are simply added to music that would otherwise be played for adults. Meredith’s music is not only child-friendly, it’s truly child appropriate, developed with the healthy growth of the young child in mind.

My Take on the CD

This CD Rocks! There is so much musical variety on this CD that it made my head spin (in a good way). From fun lyrics to catchy musical lines, I and my girls were asking for more. We really liked the variety on the CD as there is something there for everyone. Meredith does a great job at drawing in her listeners and I believe that you will find her to be a hit as well!

If this CD is one you want for your own collection you can find it on Amazon!

Giveaway

How would you like to win this CD? All you need to do 1) Subscribe to the Dad of Divas Reviews Site and 2) Leave a note on Dad of Divas on Facebook about your favorite childrens’ musician and 3) Leave a comment here about what you are looking for in childrens music. (Leave username in comment below) The contest will run for one week and will end on August 2, 2010.

Bonus Entries

Blog about my Giveaway by linking back to this post (1 entries per blog post. Please leave each entry in separate comments with your URL link in order for it to count)

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Subscribe to this blog
Follow me on Twitter (@dadofdivas) (leave username in comment)
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Share this giveaway on Twitter, Facebook or any forum, including the name of the prize and a link to this post. Here I’ll make it easier on you, copy and paste this:” @dadofdivas is giving away a Monkey Monkey Music CD – http://dadofdivas.blogspot.com/ ” (Then leave the link to your post. One entry per place per day)

Make sure you comment separately for each task after the required entry task so you will get credit for each one ~ and leave your e-mail where you can be contacted.

This contest will run until August 2, 2010 at approximately 11:59 pm Eastern.

Winner must be a resident of the U.S or Canada.

Winners are chosen at random, if you want all your chances counted, make sure you leave individual comments, not all of them in one!

Winner has 48 hours to contact me or another name will be chosen.

CD Review – Lee Ritenour’s 6 String Theory

July 24, 2010 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

About the CD

It’s hard to believe that 2010 marks 50 years since Lee Ritenour starting playing the guitar, setting in motion a career that legends are made of.   A career that has earned him 19 GRAMMY® nominations, a GRAMMY Award, numerous #1 spots on guitar polls, A Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian SJ Awards, and the prestigious “Alumnus of the Year” award from USC. During his illustrious career, he has recorded over 40 albums, with 35 chart songs and was a founding member of the group Fourplay, considered the most successful group in contemporary jazz. As a young guitarist his diverse musical style became the foundation of over 3,000 sessions, covering a broad spectrum of artists ranging from his first session at 16 with the Mamas and Papas, to Pink Floyd, Steely Dan, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Simon & Garfunkel and Frank Sinatra. On his latest endeavor, 6 String Theory, Ritenour celebrates the instrument that has allowed him this blessing, the guitar; — by producing and assembling a star-studded tribute with the greatest and soon- to- be greatest guitarists of our time.
            Set for release on Concord Records /Monster Music on June 29, 2010, for 6 String Theory, Ritenour is also among the twenty legendary world class guitarists starring on the recording, which he produced along with John Burk of the Concord Music Group. Joining him in this tribute to the guitar, the all-star line-up includes: George Benson, BB King, Slash, Steve Lukather, John Scofield, Robert Cray and Vince Gill among many other superstars. Blending rock, blues, jazz, acoustic, country and classical, they come together for a seamless project that promises to take the listener on a musical journey and exploration of the guitar. Also featured on vocals are BB King, Robert Cray, Vince Gill, Keb’ Mo’, Taj Majal, Joe Bonamassa and Jonny Lang.
            Ritenour also had a musical mission to help launch a new star of the guitar. To do so, he partnered with Yamaha Corp., Berklee College of Music, Monster Music, D’Addario Strings, and Concord Records to hold the international talent search, The Yamaha 6 String Theory Guitar Competition. Hundreds of contestants from over 45 countries posted YouTube videos to enter the competition with six finalists from around the world (one in each musical category) selected at a finals competition in Los Angeles in March 2010. Winning top honors was 16-year-old classical guitarist, Shon Boublil, from Montréal, Canada, who as the winner made his debut recording performance on 6 String Theory and received a four-year full scholarship to the Berklee College of Music.
            Ranging from 16 year old Shon, 18 year old, Joe Robinson (winner of Australia’s Got Talent) and BB King in his young 80s, 6 String Theory covers it all, from amazingly talented upcoming guitarists to the greatest guitarists of our time. It also shows the high esteem for which Ritenour is held by his peers enabling him to assemble such an awe inspiring cast of musicians to celebrate their mutual love of the guitar. Blending together styles, ages and musical colors, Lee Ritenour’s 6 String Theory promises to be one of the greatest guitar recordings ever made!

Lee Ritenour’s 6 STRING THEORY:
1 Lee Ritenour
2 BB King
3 George Benson
4 John Scofield
5 Steve Lukather
6 Vince Gill
7 Slash
8 Pat Martino
9 Mike Stern
10 Neal Schon
11 Robert Cray
12 Keb Mo
13 Taj Majal
14 Jonny Lang
15 Joe Bonamasa
16 Andy Mckee (acoustic virtuoso 30 million YouTube hits)
17 Guthrie Govan (Guitar Player Magazine New Talent of the Year 2009)
18 Joe Robinson (18 years old won Australia’s Got Talent)
19 Hotei (Japan’s rock guitar superstar)
20 Shon Boublil (16 year old winner of Yamaha 6 String Theory Competition)

My Take on the CD
This CD brought together some of the world’s greatest guitarists to put together an album that simply rocks! He has put together an album that shows the versatility and love of music that people can have, as well as highlights numerous forms of guitar and how one plays it.

If you enjoy guitar music, this CD will transport you and you will not be disappointed. I hope that there will be more albums coming out with such a collaboration of artists as was put together for this album in the future!

If you would like to have this as a part of your own collection you can find it on Amazon!

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CD Review – Playing for Change Live

July 24, 2010 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

About the CD

For the next chapter of Playing For Change’s improbable journey, founder and architect Mark Johnson assembled a band with musicians from around the globe, many of whom appeared in the now ubiquitous “Stand By Me” video (which has been viewed on the internet more than 30 million times). What started as a simple concept to virtually bring musicians from different cultures together via technology for the common purpose of promoting peace through music, resulted in a bonafide cultural phenomenon; but no one was quite sure what would happen when they all gathered for the first time for a special performance at Austin’s SXSW music conference in 2009. Sure, the Playing For Change story had captured imaginations around the world and their inspiring mix of togetherness, positivity and sterling musicianship had undeniably created a movement and surprised the music industry. But what would happen when they were actually on tour together? Could the Playing For Change idea live and breathe in the here and now?

The result was astonishing. After sold-out shows, critical acclaim and the smiles of thousands of new fans, the questions have been answered. On June 15^th, Playing For Change Records/Concord Music Group will release Playing For Change Live – a special two-disc CD/DVD containing a ten-song audio CD and a fourteen-track DVD, documenting the Playing For Change Band’s triumphant 2009 world-tour.

On Playing For Change Live, the PFC band is captured all over the world including riveting performances from the U.K.’s Glastonbury Festival, Vancouver, Madrid, Los Angeles and the Santa Monica Pier where the project’s extraordinary journey began. The band’s incredible energy and brilliant musicianship is evident on Bob Marley’s “One Love,” a medley of 4 Non Blondes’ and Bobby McFerrin’s ‘What’s Up”/“Don’t Worry Be Happy”, the 1959 American R&B gem “Fannie Mae (with Keb’ Mo!) and original band compositions like Titi Tsira’s “Fela ngaye” and Louis Mhlanga’s “Children Of The World” just to name a few. Guest appearances also include reggae legends, Toots Hibbert on the Otis Redding classic “I’ve Got Dreams To Remember” and Ziggy Marley on his own “Love Is My Religion.”

The DVD also contains the 90-minute film “On The Road With the PFC Band” chronicling the band’s improbable story of strength, support and harmony. The video log’s remarkable backstage, behind-the-scenes, performance and interview footage includes personal insights and inspiring moments from touring members: percussionist Mohammed Alidu (Northern Ghana), vocalist Clarence Bekker (Amsterdam), drummer Peter Bunetta (Los Angeles), vocals/harmonica Grandpa Elliott (New Orleans), vocals/percussionist Mermans Kenkosenki (Kinshasa, DR Congo), guitarist Louis Mhlanga (Zimbabwe), bassist Reggie McBride (Detroit), guitarist Jason Tamba (Kinshasa, DR Congo), vocalists Tal Ben-Ari “Tula” (Israel), Titi Tsira (Gugulethu, African township in the Western Cape) and PFC founder Mark Johnson. Along the way, we get to know the musicians and discover the emotional stories of perseverance and hope that enabled them to take part in this globally celebrated effort.

With its stirring call for reconciliation and cross-cultural unification, the global music collaboration/multi-media project; Playing For Change has struck a deep and powerful chord worldwide. Founder, filmmaker, and Grammy winning producer Mark Johnson was looking for musicians for his film, Peace Through Music when he captured a mesmerizing performance of the Ben E. King classic “Stand By Me” by legendary street singer, Roger Ridley in Santa Monica. Mark then took the show on the road. In New Orleans, he put headphones on beloved local street performer, Grandpa Elliott, who harmonized with Ridley’s soulful rendition of the song and he was on his way. Using innovative mobile technology and traveling the world, he filmed and recorded more than 100 musicians, largely outdoors, in parks, plazas and promenades, in doorways, on cobblestone streets and amid hilly pueblos. Each performance created a new mix in which the artists are all performing together, albeit hundreds or thousands of miles apart.

In April of 2009, Hear Music/Concord Music Group released the CD/DVD Playing For Change – Songs Around The World and shocked the music world when it debuted in Billboard’s Top 10. The accompanying documentary Playing For Change – Peace Through Music, was broadcast nationwide by PBS that summer.

Recording musicians in some of the poorest parts of the world also inspired PFC to establish the Playing For Change Foundation, which offers resources – including facilities, technology, musical instruments and education – to musicians and their communities. Currently, PFCF has constructed and opened two schools in South Africa and Ghana, as well as programs that we are developing and/or operating in Mali, Nepal, Rwanda, and Jamaica.

For more information on Playing For Change visit, www.playingforchange.org, www.playingforchange.com and www.concordmusicgroup.com

1. Fannie Mae

2. Don’t Worry

3. Back To Your Roots

4. I’ve Got Dreams To Remember – featuring Toots Hibbert

5. Fela Ngaye

6. Children of the World

7. Love Is My Religion – featuring Ziggy Marley

8. Mado

9. One Love

10. Stand By Me

DVD

1. Fannie Mae

2. Don’t Worry

3. Back To Your Roots

4. I’ve Got Dreams To Remember – featuring Toots Hibbert

5. Fela Ngaye

6. Sugar Sweet

7. Children of the World

8. Love Is My Religion – featuring Ziggy Marley

9. Mado

10. What’s Up/Don’t Worry Be Happy

11. One Love

12. End Credits/Stand By Me

Bonus Tracks

1. Amazing Grace

2. Imidiwan Afrik Temdam

The Film

“On The Road With the PFC Band”

Directed by Mark Johnson, Kevin Krupitzer and Jonathan Walls

Produced by Mark Johnson, Raan Williams, Joel Goulder and Jeremy Goulder

Executive Producers: Norman Lear and Whitney Kroenke

Associate Producers: Dave Bacon, Greg Johnson, Enzo Buono, Ant Rich

Music Produced and Edited by Mark Johnson and Enzo Buono

Stereo Music Mixed by Greg Morgenstein and Mark Johnson at Enormous Studios, Los Angeles, CA

Video Editing: Jonathan Walls and Kevin Krupitzer

My Take on the CD
I had found out about Playing for Change earlier this year when I reviewed one of the other CD’s from the project and I was happy to see this collaborative effort that was now out there! I have to say that when I put it into the CD player I was a bit blown away by the sound of the music itself.

The music was superb, and I was entranced by the raw music that was shared by all of these artists. Simply playing this makes you want to take part in the live concert and watching the video content just takes you there. I know for me this will be one that I will play again and again.

If you would like to have this as a part of your own collection you can find it on Amazon!

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