"One Giant Leap" was a masterpiece of an album. The idea was simple, travel the world, record a bit here, a bit there, throw in a few credible celebrities and a pop star, spread the word of love and bang-success!
Its been a few years since the release of this inspiring album (A must listen for any music fan) and I'm glad to report that another producer and film maker have taken the "One Giant Leap" template and have set about doing something much the same. Music is a very powerful tool and it is refreshing to see that some people still believe that change can be brought about through music. There is also something very wonderful about the process of recording guitar in New Orleans, vocals in Africa and then stitching it all together on a laptop. It almost restores faith in humanity!
The real beauty in this, is of course the fact that this is a true expression of the art, the love for music and film. No record label, no marketing scam, no bright lights, fancy videos.
Just people and music.
This cover of Stand By Me was recorded by completely unknown artists in a street virtual studio all around the world. It all started with a base track--vocals and guitar--recorded on the streets of Santa Monica, California, by a street musician called Roger Ridley. The base track was then taken to New Orleans, Louisiana, where Grandpa Elliott--a blind singer from the French Quarter--added vocals and harmonica while listening to Ridley's base track on headphones. In the same city, Washboard Chaz's added some metal percussion to it.
And from there, it just gets rock 'n' rolling bananas: The producers took the resulting mix all through Europe, Africa, and South America, adding new tracks with multiple instruments and vocals that were assembled in the final version you are seeing in this video. All done with a simple laptop and some microphones.
The real beauty in this, is of course the fact that this is a true expression of the art, the love for music and film. No record label, no marketing scam, no bright lights, fancy videos.
Just people and music.
This cover of Stand By Me was recorded by completely unknown artists in a street virtual studio all around the world. It all started with a base track--vocals and guitar--recorded on the streets of Santa Monica, California, by a street musician called Roger Ridley. The base track was then taken to New Orleans, Louisiana, where Grandpa Elliott--a blind singer from the French Quarter--added vocals and harmonica while listening to Ridley's base track on headphones. In the same city, Washboard Chaz's added some metal percussion to it.
And from there, it just gets rock 'n' rolling bananas: The producers took the resulting mix all through Europe, Africa, and South America, adding new tracks with multiple instruments and vocals that were assembled in the final version you are seeing in this video. All done with a simple laptop and some microphones.