Inspiration and Peace Through Music

“Until the colour of a man's skin
Is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes.” ~Bob Marley

Peace Through Music, Playing for Change. A coming together through music created by Mark Johnson and developed by Mark and Jonathan Wells over the last four years with incredible talents from all over the world.

During the month of August the new DVD movie of Playing for Change is featured on the PBS channels. Check your listings for it. And visit the website Playing for Change.

This was recorded live at the Starbucks Leadership Conference in New Orleans featuring Grandpa Elliot of New Orleans and Clarence Bakker of Amsterdam, Netherlands and currently Spain, singing the late Sam Cooke’s incredible song, A Change is Gonna Come.

Some time ago I blogged about their song One Love. And on my other blog I posted today their song, Stand by Me.

~Linda

Sam Cooke, A Change is Gonna Come, Jon Bon Jovi, Bettye Lavette

Today I again watched Obama’s Inaugural Concert. This song, A Change is Gonna Come, written in 1963 by popular gospel, R&B, and pop singer, Sam Cooke (1931-1964), was recorded in 1964. During the concert it was very well done by Bettye Lavette and Jon Bon Jovi.

And I think Jon and Bettye singing A Change is Gonna Come said it all. It brought forth the sentiments, the emotions, that so many of us were feeling with our new President and the change we are undergoing. The shift of energy, the acceptance of diversity that has been so evident.

Sam Cooke, a young talented black man, was active in the Civil Rights Movement and it was that and Bob Dylan’s Blowing in the Wind (Peter, Paul and Mary) that inspired his writing of A Change is Gonna Come. From 1957-65 he apparently had 29 Top Forty Hits. I loved his music. Probably my favorite of his was You Send Me. I remember playing the 45 rpm record over and over again. But I think I also loved every song he sang.

Read more about Sam Cook and listen to an award winning Documentary “Sam Cooke, A Change is Gonna Come,” by radio station (90.3 WCPN) on his life and music. Funding provided by the United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland, Inc. It’s very good.

~Linda