Feature Song: “The Weight”
While there are still a few months left until the end of this year, the list of musical talent that we have lost this year is unfortunately a long one. Jeff Beck, Jimmy Buffett, Sinead O’Connor, Tony Bennett, David Lindley, David Crosby, Burt Bacharach, and Barrett Strong are just a few of the notables who have left us, but we can console ourselves with the fact that their music and collective accomplishments will continue to enrich our lives and, no doubt, future generations’ lives. As you might have already figured out by this installment’s featured song, there is one notable name missing from the above, and that is Robbie Robertson. My buddy Randy Dafoe did a wonderful job of paying tribute to this incredible talent (https://mostlymusiccovers.com/2023/08/09/robbie-robertson-july-5-1943-august-9-2023/ , but I wanted to share two videos by Playing for Change (PFC), a music collective that I have featured before, as my form of tribute. Although I know there is some, shall we say, “controversy” surrounding this particular song from The Band’s debut album, “Music From Big Pink” (1968), PFC’s cover of this song, which features both Robbie Robertson and Ringo Starr along with musicians across five continents, is nothing short of amazing. I have lost track of how many times I have listened to it since August 9 of this year.
The second video, also from PFC, was recorded a few weeks after Robertson’s passing, and features the PFC Band – Jason Tamba (vocals, guitar), Mermans Mosengo (vocals, guitar), Peter Bunetta (drums), Roberto Luti (slide guitar), and Roberto Vally (bass). It is a special tribute performance and part of PFC’s “Live From Mark’s Park,” which just happens to be one of PFC’s co-founders’ backyard in Venice CA. Although the song they chose for this tribute was not written by The Band, Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” is certainly a fitting choice given the Band’s history with this song! Enjoy.
Playing For Change “The Weight” featuring: Robbie Robertson and Ringo Starr. Song Around The World. September 18, 2019.
Playing For Change Band Tribute to Robbie Robertson “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door. Live Outside August 23, 2023.
Los Angeles 2023
Had not heard either of these! The Weight was just phenomenal. It always amazes me how seamless the production can be with artists from around the world.
PFC does an amazing job putting these performances together with artists from all over the world. The sound quality, mixing, etc. are truly amazing. Glad you enjoyed both!
The Playing For Change performance of “The Weight” was pure magic. I enjoyed “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” too.
Soooooo good. I love Playing for Change