In 2009, more than half our weddings have been out of the city so we spent a bit of time in our car driving. One of the things I always do upon leaving the house is to play the song Stand By Me from the Playing For Change CD. Usually, I would blast it loud and start singing to it, much to the chagrin of Di, who thinks I’m insane. =)
The PFC concept was started by Mark Johnson who travelled around the world to record various artists performing the same song in their own ways. The music is then seamlessly melded together into a final version that is so rich with the personality and cultures of the performers. I think this is one song that is better experienced as a video because the songs were mostly recorded on the streets or neighborhoods where these artists live and perform.
The best part of this song was the performance by Grandpa Elliot. I actually saw him live while I was at New Orleans a few years ago (I didn’t know who he was at the time). He is one remarkable man. When he starts singing, you cannot help but stop and forget where you are going and what you are doing. Hopefully one day, I can see him perform live again.
You can read about the Playing For Change concept and buy their music on the web site www.playingforchange.com. Also visit their Vimeo channel to see more videos and additional documentary footage.
Thank you all for being here with us last year. I hope this little number would get you as amped up about the new year as it does for me.