EMI Music/Vector Recordings is set to release the highly anticipated recording Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration on March 31. The album features performances by 3 Doors Down, Al Green, Patty Griffin, Heather Headley, Jon Bon Jovi, Jonny Lang, Queen Latifah, Joss Stone with Buick Audra and many more (see below for full track listing). For the project, these world-renowned musicians collaborated with Gospel artists and several of today’s top Gospel Choirs to record renditions of some of the most loved and recognizable inspirational songs. It’s been said you don’t just hear gospel music you feel it. It’s woven through the fabric of the American spirit and history and its influence can be felt and heard around the world today and in the background of many of today’s most talented artists and musicians.
The album’s concept resulted from a close partnership between EMI Gospel and Vector Recordings and was produced by Ken Levitan, Bill Hearn, Jack Rovner, Ken Pennell, Drew & Shannon, Johnny K, Sanchez Harley, Obie O’Brien, Keith Thomas, Tommy Sims, Cedric Thompson, Simon Climie, Michael McDonald, Joss Stone and Buick Audra. Of the project, Bill Hearn, CEO of EMI Christian Music Group comments, “We wanted to create an album that honored the legacy of gospel music—it’s the backbone of the American spirit—but also create unique artist pairings that fans could find no where else.” Vector’s Ken Levitan adds, “Gospel music has always been not only spiritually and musically uplifting but also a great American art form. With this project we’ve taken artists who have been successful in other genres and combined them with this great art form to create new powerful music.”
While recording the record at Ocean Way Studio in Nashville, Jonny Lang notes, “(Gospel music) is really all I’ve been listening to for the last few years…it’s my favorite form of music…at least for now…” Lang goes on to say, “it’s such an honor to record with the legendary Fisk Jubilee Singers, their very first take on the song just blew me away. They’re such pros…quite an honor…” Additionally, Heather Headley comments, “It’s not everyday that you get the opportunity to revisit a classic song like “People Get Ready,” record it with a great producer like Keith Thomas, and sing alongside a legend such as Rev. Al Green. It really was a pleasure, and I had a great time doing it.”
Track Listing:
1. Jonny Lang & the Fisk Jubilee Singers “I Believe”
2. 3 Doors Down & the Soul Children of Chicago “Presence of the Lord”
3. Robert Randolph & The Clark Sisters “Higher Ground”
4. Jon Bon Jovi & the Washington Youth Choir “Keep the Faith”
5. Al Green & Heather Headley “People Get Ready”
6. Mavis Staples & Patty Griffin “Waiting for My Child To Come Home”
7. Michael McDonald & the West Angeles COGIC Mass Choir “Storm Before The Calm”
8. Angelique Kidjo “Redemption Song”
9. Aaron Neville & the Mt. Zion Mass Choir “A Change is Gonna Come”
10. Queen Latifah & Jubilation “Oh Happy Day”
11. Joss Stone & Buick Audra “This Little Light Of Mine”
More than just the words on the walls, Hard Rock International has remained true to its motto – “LOVE ALL” by continuing its pledge to serve others – since the company’s founding in 1971. Hard Rock is proud to announce the launch of The 2008 Global “Imagine There’s No Hunger” campaign to benefit WHY, a nonprofit organization that finds innovative solutions to hunger and poverty around the Globe. Hard Rock’s SERVE3 benefit compilation features new, never-before-released or rare tracks by a unique blend of major multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning and acclaimed recording artists, including Bruce Springsteen, Joss Stone, Avril Lavigne, Starsailor, My Morning Jacket and more. Setting the foundation for “Imagine There’s No Hunger,” artist and musician Yoko Ono has graciously donated her late husband John Lennon’s inspirational song “Give Peace A Chance.” With the exception of this classic, the songs on SERVE3 are new, electric or acoustic, and reflect the generosity of the artists that donated them to the project on behalf of serving those in need. SERVE3 will be available at select Hard Rock locations around the world and www.hardrock.com beginning November 4, 2008, with downloads available at digital retailers.
Download and Share Toby Lightman’s “Color” From SERVE3
Tracklisting For SERVE3:
1. Remember When The Music - performer - Bruce Springsteen
2. Love Has Made You Beautiful - performer - Joss Stone
3. Look At You (Jim’s Electronic Version) - performer - My Morning Jacket
4. When You’re Gone (Live From Toronto, Best Damn Tour) - performer - Avril Lavigne
5. Diane (Live From Bonnaroo) - performer - Robert Randolph & The Family Band
6. Complete Control - performer - The Charlatans
7. People Get Ready - performer - Ryan Shaw
8. Keep Coming Back (Live From Nashville) - performer - Marc Broussard
9. Military Madness (Graham Nash Cover) - performer - Starsailor
10. Mother Earth - performer - Micki Free
11. I Be Rockin’ It - performer - DMC
12. I Know It’s Over (The Smith’s Cover) - performer - The Chapin Sisters
13. Give Peace a Chance - performer - John Lennon
14. On A Night Like This - performer - Dave Barnes
15. Color - performer - Toby Lightman
16. Becoming (Remixed) - performer - Brilliant Mistakes
17. I Hope You’re Upset - performer - Middle Distance Runner
18. Heaven - performer - Scott Barnhill
19. Time - performer - Lisa Bouchelle
20. Jew Said Grace - performer - The Dead Tree
About WHY:
For more information, visit www.worldhungeryear.org.
From TorrentFreak.com:
Joss Stone, who won a Grammy last year, loves music, but hates the the music industry. In a recent interview she said that - unlike herself - most artists are brainwashed by the industry, and she encouraged people to share her music.
After the show a reporter asked her what she thinks of piracy, and people who download her songs off the Internet. Her response baffled the reporter, as she simply told him: “I think it’s great…” There was an awkward silence for a few seconds, the reporter probably expected to hear something else from her. “Great?,” he said.
“Yeah, I love it. I think it’s brilliant and I’ll tell you why,” Stone continued. “Music should be shared. […] The only part about music that I dislike is the business that is attached to it. Now, if music is free, then there is no business, there is just music. So, I like it, I think that we should share.”
“It’s ok, if one person buys it, it’s totally cool, burn it up, share it with your friends, I don’t care. I don’t care how you hear it as long as you hear it. As long as you come to my show, and have a great time listening to the live show it’s totally cool. I don’t mind. I’m happy that they hear it.”
Stone went on to say that most artists have probably been “brainwashed” by the record labels, when they discourage their fans from downloading music. Of course, Stone is not the only artist who actually wants people to share their work. Last year rapper 50 Cent made some positive remarks about filesharing, and Nine Inch Nails takes it even further, as they upload their music onto BitTorrent sites themselves.
These artists are spot on, in fact, several studies have shown that artists actually benefit from filesharing. The more music people share, the more CDs they buy and the more concerts they visit.
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