Finding: The Weight, played for change

Brilliant.

Playing for Change launched the 50-year-old classic “The Weight” with musicians performing together across five continents, including heavyweights Robbie Robertson and Ringo Starr.

Playing for Change logo on Facebook, public domain

The organization describes itself as a movement “created to inspire and connect the world through music, born from the shared belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people.

“Our primary focus is to record and film musicians performing in their natural environments and combine their talents and cultural power in innovative videos we call Songs Around the World. Creating these videos motivated us to form the Playing For Change Band—a tangible, traveling representation of our mission, featuring musicians met along our journey; and establish the Playing For Change Foundation … dedicated to building music and art schools for children around the world.”

Links:

The Weight on Playing for Change

Rolling Stone reported the details, such as how everyone played at the same tempo, in the same key,  seamlessly.  https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/robbie-robertson-the-weight-ringo-starr-video-885980/

Notes:

Written by Robbie Robertson, with Ahmed Al Harmi: Oud; Ali Boulala: Acoustic Guitar; Chango Spasiuk: Accordion; Char: Electric Guitar; Hutch Hutchinson: Bass; John Cruz: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar; Keiko Komaki: Piano; Larkin Poe: Vocals, Guitar; Lukas Nelson: Vocals, Electric Guitar; Marcus King: Vocals, Electric Guitar; Mermans Mosengo: Vocals; Rajeev Shrestha: Sitar; Ringo Starr: Drums; Robbie Robertson: Vocals, Electric Guitar; Roberto Luti: Resonator Guitar; Robin Moxey: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar; Roselyn Williams: Vocals; Sanjay Shrestha: Congas; Sherieta Lewis: Vocals; Sol Homar: Percussion; Taimane: Ukulele