It is no surprise to anyone who either knows me well, or has followed my music diaries over the years, that my favorite musician throughout my life is and has been Peter Gabriel. I’ve seen him in concert more than any other major artist, and in every one of those concerts, he ended the show with the same song — Biko. Released in 1980, it was written after Gabriel heard of South African anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko’s 1977 death in police custody, it is one of the songs that galvanized my belief that music has — and should have — a political voice. If you don’t know the lyrics, they’re here.
So it was a wonderful surprise when I learned that late last year, Gabriel had re-recorded this incredible song for Playing For Change’s Songs Around The World series. The information on the Youtube upload of the song states:
In honor of Black History Month, we are proud to bring the message of Peter Gabriel’s “Biko” back to the forefront, 40 years after its initial release. Inspired by the death of anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko while in police custody, this song’s relevance still holds true with the unfortunate police brutality that continues to take place in the USA, Nigeria and many places around the world.
Here, have a listen, then join me across the Story Break…
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It features an incredible list of musicians:
FULL SONG CREDITS: Angélique Kidjo (Benin), Dynamic Music Collective (USA), Peter Gabriel (UK), Jason Tamba (Congo), Meshell Ndegeocello (USA), Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe (USA), Sebastian Robertson (USA), Silkroad (USA), Silkroad’s Cristina Pato (Spain), Silkroad’s Yo-Yo Ma (USA), TAIKOPROJECT (USA), The Cape Town Ensemble (South Africa), Tushar Lall (India)
It had been my intent to bring a single song from each artist to this diary but as I began to listen, I found it an impossible task. In some cases there is simply SO much music, I can’t pick just one. In others, I was unable to find something to present. So I will leave you with links to explore on your own, and I hope you do!
Angélique Kidjo — singer-songwriter and longtime activist, her Youtube channel is here.
Jason Tamba — A guitarist since making his own instrument at seven. I couldn’t find an artist channel on Youtube but I did find a playlist of his music as well as a collection of his Playing For Change videos.
Meshell Ndegeocello — singer, rapper, and consummate bassist. If you know her only from her collaboration with John Mellencamp, you are missing out on so, so much. Youtube channel here.
Sebastian Robertson — performer as well as producer, he’s also an author, composer and studio engineer.
Yo-Yo Ma — Extraordinary cellist and ambassador for the power of music to cross cultures and create community. His Youtube channel is here.
Cristina Pato — Galician bagpiper (yes, there are pipers in Spain!), and the first woman to release a solo gaita (the pipes) album. Her Youtube channel is here.
TAIKOPROJECT — they describe themselves as a modern, American-style taiko drum ensemble. As a huge percussion fan, I shall hang out at their Youtube channel, here.
The Cape Town Ensemble — There’s not a lot of information to be found, but this ensemble has the most beautiful sound! There’s a playlist of their songs on Youtube.
Tushar Lall — Founder of The Indian Jam Project, translating contemporary music to classical Indian instruments. His Youtube channel is here.
Unfortunately I was unable to find anything for the Dynamic Music Collective, or to find music performed by the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe before my publishing deadline arrived. I apologize for the omissions.
I hope you find music to engage you in what I’ve shared tonight. Please, share your own in the comments!! But first, on to tonight’s Tops!
TOP COMMENTS
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From Tomtech (just after we published last evening):
This comment by allisonchains, from abluerippleinohio’s We are not doing any of these actions ever!!!🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
And a highlight:
El Mito highlighted this one by zatachimaru, from Eight Reasons why Democrats Handled the Issue of Witnesses in Just the Right Way by GoodNewsRoundup.
TOP MOJO
Top Mojo for yesterday, February 14th 2021, first comments and tip jars excluded. Thank you mik for the mojo magic! For those of you interested in How Top Mojo Works, please see his diary on FAQing Top Mojo.
TOP PICTURES
Top Pictures for yesterday, February 14th 2021. Click any picture to be taken to the full comment or picture. Thank you jotter!
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To close, a live version. It ends as always… “What happens next is up to you”
“It is better to die for an idea that will live, than to live for an idea that will die.” — Steve Biko