Playing for Change is producer Mark Johnson's multimedia project intending to tie the world together via music. Johnson traveled the globe between 2004 and 2008, finding musicians in every corner of the world, from African villages to the streets of Santa Monica, then recorded them, usually singing American rock and pop classics, for this 2009 charity album. Many of the ten songs here are quite familiar — Ben E. King's "Stand by Me," Peter Gabriel's "Biko," Tracy Chapman's "Talkin' Bout a Revolution," U2's "Love Rescue Me," Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come," and Bob Marley's "One Love" and "No More Trouble" — and even if the arrangements aren't necessarily faithful, they are familiar, blending in elements of blues, gospel, folk, reggae, and African music that's eclectic but not exotic. That familiarity isn't just due to the heavy presence of blues singer Keb' Mo' — who sings on three tracks here — and Bono's cameo, but also how Johnson's discovery Roger Ridley is essentially a soul singer in the vein of Ted Hawkins and how all the material, even Pierre Minetti's written-to-order "Don't Worry," is presented in the form of Western pop music. This does help give Playing for Change a broad potential audience, one that might find itself introduced to new rhythms, harmonies, and textures thanks to this good-hearted project.

Talkin' Bout A Revolution - Afro Fiesta

Biko

Already a familiar face to the playing for change supporters, grandpa elliot has been a key contributor to the original playing for change album. Now due to his popularity from this release, grandpa elliot has headed to the studio for a solo album. A legendary new orleans street performer whose debut album sugar sweet will be released on the 20th of november, grandpa elliott has been entertaining audiences in the french quarter for over sixty years, but his popularity has gone global in the last year after the playing for change hit viral video for 'stand by me', featuring 37 musicians from all over the world received over 30 million views on sites like youtube and vimeo. Grandpa is the first artist to be signed to playing for change records/concord music group. Another playing for change project which sees some proceeds go to the pfc foundation that build music schools around the world in poverty stricken areas. 


This Little Light Of Mine (Medley)

One Love

Children of the World

Don't Worry

At Playing For Change we are dedicated to providing you with the best possible music quality and listening experience. That is why we’re now offering our newest album, Playing For Change 3 "Songs Around The World" CD/DVD on vinyl!! This LP is pressed on 180 gram black vinyl, with 2 sides of music from around the world, including BONUS tracks “Clandestino” featuring Manu Chao and “United”! The album features performances from Keith Richards, Sara Bareilles, Andres Calamaro, Toots Hibbert from Toots & The Maytals, Cesar Rosas and David Hidalgo of Los Lobos, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Keb Mo, and Taj Mahal in addition to a song produced by Jackson Browne. This vinyl format is a limited edition, so be sure to preorder your copy now if you want to spin “PFC3” on your turntable!

United

Playing For Change Band members Mermans Mosengo and Jason Tamba both left their native country of the Congo more than fifteen years ago in search of a better life. They met for the first time in South Africa, where they formed the band Afro Fiesta. Their music mixes different influences such as Roots Reggae, Makossa, and Congolese rumba. They use music to educate and inspire the world to find positive solutions for the Congo and all of humanity.

11 Congo To The Mississippi

Afro Fiesta | Music is My Ammunition

Playing For Change Band Live in Brazil showcases the band's energetic performance at their sold-out concert at the Opera de Arame in Curitiba, Brazil. With songs such as "Get Up Stand Up," "Pata Pata," and the song that started it all, "Stand By Me," this album is sure to be a classic.  Also includes PFC Band original songs such as Matinda, Back to your Roots, Mokumba...  We raised enough money at this benefit concert to open a new Music School in Curitiba, Brazil!

A Change Is Gonna Come  PFC Live In Brazil

Yahamba, Live at the Bluesfest, Byron Bay - Australia

Playing For Change is a movement created to inspire and connect the world through music. In 2005, producer Mark Johnson created the concept of the Songs Around The World by uniting musicians from many different countries and cultures performing on the same track. Mark and a small crew traveled across 5 continents with a mobile recording studio and cameras with the vision to build a global family through the power of music. The first song released was a version of "Stand By Me" featuring over 35 musicians from 10 countries who had never met in person. Since then, this international version of "Stand By Me" has been viewed over 100 million times online, and the PFC movement has expanded with the creation of the PFC Band, and the PFC Foundation that creates music schools around the world.

Yahamba, Live at the Bluesfest, Byron Bay - Australia

Playing For Change

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