[pullquote quote="This album is a powerful fusion of the music community's respect for Amnesty's life-affirming work and for Bob Dylan's enduring brilliance" credit="Producers Jeff Ayeroff & Julie Yannatta"]This year marked 50 years of dedicated human rights activism by
Amnesty International, the organization that has set the standard for the movement for as long as most of us can remember. In honor of all the organizations contributions since it was founded in 1961, more than 70 artists have got together on Chimes Of Freedom; a unique compilation with over 75 renditions of classic [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Bob Dylan[/lastfm] tunes that are still as relevant today as ever.
The incomparable artistry and influence of [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Bob Dylan[/lastfm] has always been nothing short of groundbreaking, so when it came time do decide on a way to celebrate and reflect on the last 50 years of hard work and changes for the better that Nobel Peace Prize-winning organization Amnesty International has provided, Dylan’s music was more than a clear fit. Unfortunately, it’s not often enough that activism organizations like AI are able to successfully make such positive changes in the world for such a long period of time, so after 50 long years, its only fitting that a tribute album would feature songs written by an artist like Dylan who has had just as much of an impact on the world, for just as long.
Putting together a compilation like this in which so many people have to work as a unit was surely no easy task from any angle. However, it’s truly fascinating how everyone who contributed to Chimes Of Freedom from the artists, to session musicians, engineers and even producers all stayed true to the values of AI; going so far as to all work entirely pro-bono. The record is also produced by the same team that in 2007 helped put together Amnesty International‘s widely successful compilation record Instant Karma which similarly featured renditions of cover songs in this case by [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]John Lennon[/lastfm], as performed by a number of icons like [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]U2[/lastfm], [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Green Day[/lastfm] & [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]R.E.M.[/lastfm] in an effort to aid and raise awareness of the vile conditions in Darfur.
Click play below to see a classic video of [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Bob Dylan[/lastfm] performing Forever Young in 1993:
The material selected for Chimes Of Freedom is just as strong, relevant and well produced as its 2007 predecessor and puts on display an even more diverse cast of icons that span from as far back as the organizations inception to today. Seeing 19-year old [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Miley Cyrus[/lastfm] on the same record as 92-year old [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Pete Seeger[/lastfm] is not only an incredible idea, but more importantly a remarkable testament to the diversity that is at the heart of everything that AI does. The diversity of the record is truly its best element and genres featured are just as intriguing as its generation-spanning cast giving listeners a variety of genres to choose from including rock, rap, hip-hop, pop, jazz, blues, folk, and even country; so there’s without a doubt sure to be at least a few tracks for everyone on Chimes Of Freedom.
Check out a few of the many highlights from Chimes Of Freedom below and then click the ‘next’ button at the bottom of this page to see the full list!
[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Pete Townshend[/lastfm] - Corrina, Corrina
[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Sugarland[/lastfm] - Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You (Live)
[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Adele[/lastfm] - Make You Feel My Love (Recorded Live at WXPN)
[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Maroon 5[/lastfm] - I Shall Be Released
[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Dave Matthews Band[/lastfm] - All Along the Watchtower (Live)
Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International is available today on Amazon and in AI’s Official Store.
See the full track listing!
