has the record available as of today, and the physical CD will be in stores, including amazon, Songs for Tibet - The Art of Peace
Also Mark Pellington has just completed a video for The Art Of Peace Foundation:
It seems that the world has sat up and taken notice of the ‘Great Firewall of China.’ This state sponsored apparatus of 30,000 people monitors emails of Chinese citizens and blocks any website deemed controversial to the Chinese government, including sites containing the word Tibet. Check out Amnesty’s initiatives that we supportAmnesty International and www.SaveTibet.org that targets the Great Wall. Indeed, it is the only campaign we presently support because we feel it is so vital for the world to understand.
I had met with the Dalai Lama back in May in London and when asked what we in the West could do to help the Tibetan people, he had an amazing answer. He said, paraphrasing here, “If you care about Tibetans, then you care about justice. If you care about justice than help all those that lack freedoms, especially freedom of speech and press. If people had this then so many problems in the world would disappear, including for Tibet.” The wisdom of these words took awhile to penetrate my mind, but when I saw the wisdom of his words, I set out on a course. Since then, I have focused all our energies (outside of making the album) on the Great Firewall. It was my belief that if people really understood what was happening to Chinese citizens that they would be outraged.
Some very interesting things will begin to emerge over the next week. First, there will become widespread knowledge this apparatus exists – most people have not heard about this. Athletes and journalists will now be within the firewall and unable to access many things that they have taken for granted. It’s an amazing experiment, if you think about it. What happens when 20,000 Western journalists experience a taste of what it is like to have freedoms stripped from them? Judging by the initial reactions in every major newspaper around the world, they’re not too happy. I couldn’t have thought of a better breeding ground for discontent. This should not only raise the issue over the next week or two, but hopefully more than a few journalists will begin probing a bit deeper into this issue. Perhaps they may even report on it not for their own sakes alone, but for the sake of the 1.2 billion people living under Chinese control every day, including the people of Tibet.
The Chinese government has used this extreme censorship to control what the Chinese people think about their history, the history Tibet and of the Dalai Lama. The Chinese government has skewed information so much about the Dalai Lama that they refer to him as a “wolf in monks robes.” Now of course nobody living in the free world would ever think of one of the most universally beloved people in the world this way. The Chinese government is making these statements for the benefit of their citizens, who can only surf websites that verify these views. More on this soon, but now onto another interesting aspect of the Great Firewall…
US corporations aid and abet the Chinese government by building and supporting the Great Firewall. Corporations from Cisco (who defends themselves by saying they are politically neutral – they just supply what their customer wants) to Google that does no evil (at least in Western countries where the media focuses). Here’s why: The reason someone in China can’t access certain sites is because of controls that the ISPs have on all Internet traffic in China. Companies like Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, Facebook, Myspace, etc have all modified their technology to allow the Chinese government to filter information and suppress the Chinese population – and now Olympic athletes and journalists. Their argument is weak: 1) It is better to allow some information to flow rather than none and 2) If they didn’t do it then somebody else would.
The latter argument is like saying if I didn’t supply a murderer a gun, then somebody else would. Our government does not take kindly to this line of argument in the case of a murder, but somehow it has not been high enough on the radar to apply to the 1.2 billion people under Chinese rule. The argument about some information is better than none is completely wrong. The example of the Dalai Lama is perfect. By allowing only certain information about the Dalai Lama to be accessible to Chinese citizens, the government has created a generation of people that detest the Dalai Lama. How can this help with peace at all? Instead, we see the opposite. Limited information is hardening a generation of Chinese people to an amicable solution with Tibet. How can they make peace with a man that is, “a wolf in monk’s robes??” It is not the citizens’ fault. It is the Great Firewall of China and the people that control it and the minds’ of the Chinese people. Much more to come about this…
There has been some discussion about what will be on the record. Well here is the track listing:
Disc: 1
1. Hide & Seek 2 (Imogen Heap)
2. Send Your Love - Art of Peace Remix (Sting)
3. Versions of Violence - Recorded in dressing room in Cologne, Germany (Alanis Morissette)
4. Belief (John Mayer)
5. Better (Regina Spektor)
6. We Are All Made of Stars - 2008 (Moby)
7. Making Noise (Damien Rice & The Cheshire Project)
8. More Than This - Campfire Take (Vanessa Carlton)
9. Nothing Fades- Kosen Rufu Version (Duncan Sheik)
10. Where Are You Going - Live in Barcelona (Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds)
Disc: 2
1. Song Of Sand - Great City Version (Suzanne Vega)
2. All The Good In This Life (Garbage)
3. Hope - Live for The Art of Peace (Rush)
4. Madonna On The Curb - Peace Mix (Jonatha Brooke)
5. In These Times - the Concord Mix (Joan Armatrading)
6. All My Mistakes - Featuring Tarira (Teitur )
7. Alive In The World (Jackson Browne)
8. Better Way - Live in Six Fours les Plage (Ben Harper)
9. The Heart Of The Matter Underlying Mix (Rupert Hine)
10. To Heal - and Restore Broken Bodies (Underworld)
The album is coming together. The outpouring of support from all corners of the earth and all aspects of the music industry has been incredible. We began the project in May and we will have a 20 track double album finished in nearly 2 months - completely unheard of in the music business. The unbelievable effort by so many artists, managers, studios, record companies etc has been breathtaking. Though the Olympics and Tibet are always at the front of our minds these days, I think I’ll just chat about all the amazing music we have received…
Duncan Sheik’s song is profoundly beautiful. His appreciation of Buddhist thought comes through clearly on this lucid new recording of “Nothing Fades.” Like so many others, his treatment of the song was exactly what we were hoping for – a recording where the strength of the words come shinning through and is supported by beautiful music. He knew exactly the song he wanted to record and its message is perfect.
We also received a recording that Rush just did a few weeks back for us at a concert. Alex Lifeson did a rendition of ‘Hope’ that really breathes and let’s you appreciate the subtleties of the composition. It differs from the studio version in tempo and tone. This was a fantastic contribution on so many levels (our only acoustic instrumental). Personally, I have been a huge Rush fan since my younger years when Alex ‘taught’ me how to play guitar by trying to imitate his playing for years by listening repeatedly to Rush albums. We received the song coincidentally when Rush was coming to town. I went to the show and got there right when they hit the stage. What a show – over 3 hours of amazing performances, one great song after another.
Suzanne Vega’s track is a contemplative and evocative song called “Song of Sand.” The music and words invite you to swim in a world with space that only Suzanne’s phrasing can create. Almost by what it doesn’t say, in almost a Haiku-like wisdom way, it begs the question, “What good can ever come from violence?” Suzanne is another voice I have had in my life/heart for many years and feel blessed to have on the album.
Teitur delivered an intriguing and nuanced song called ‘All My Mistakes.’ Besides having a wonderful message of finding positive perspectives, there are some treats that one doesn’t hear often. He is from the Faroe Islands, which is the most northern part of the UK, approaching Iceland, and he used a Faroese choir to accompany him. They have a very unique way of singing that is very hard to describe, but a delight to hear.
I have many of John Mayer’s albums and love them all. I was eagerly awaiting the track he was delivering and it is amazing. It is an acoustic version of ‘Belief’ that is energetic, bold and inspiring. Not much more needs to be said – it is perfect. It is getting late and still so many deadlines need to be achieved before the launch.
A few more tracks are coming in – it will be close to hit our deadline. Fingers crossed please…
Momentum for the project is really building. After Sting posted our press release this Wednesday, several major publications and news outlets called. We’ll be talking to them soon…very exciting. We have received amazing emails from all over the world. Many Tibetans and Tibetan groups have sent their support.
And the musicians keep coming!! If everyone delivers a track that wants to, it will be a double album…We’ll keep you posted. The next 2 weeks should very exciting regarding who will deliver what.
Regina Spektor has delivered a delicious acoustic piano version of ‘Better.’ Her beautiful lyrics and wonderful piano abilities accentuate her creative way of singing – with some nice surprises.
I spent the day catching up on news from Tibet. There have been many unpleasant things involving Tibet, China and the Olympics. This story, described by a monk who escaped, tells how Tibetan monks were killed randomly at their monasteries in retaliation for the protests that occurred a few months back in Tibet.
Story Here
The Chinese have jailed 1,000 Tibetan monks until after the Olympics for no reason except to ensure that there will be no ‘unrest.’ The Chinese government expects peace to result from treating a revered potion of the Tibetan population this way. It is a very shortsighted strategy that will backfire in the long-term. Story Here
A major source of unrest between China and Tibet stems from the Chinese government trying to convince its citizens that the Dalai Lama is a “Jackal in monk’s robes.” Of course nobody outside of China believes this, but since there is no freedom of speech and press within China, the government can tell its citizens that the Dalai Lama is evil and the Chinese government is well intentioned and benevolent. Some Chinese actually view the Tibetans as ungrateful for their ‘liberation’ and don’t understand their dissatisfaction. A whole generation of Chinese are being brought up on this view. It is a very tragic situation that will only breed unrest between China and Tibet. Story Here
This past week, Barack Obama said he will not attend the opening of the Olympics. This is the opposite opinion of President Bush, who will attend. President Bush believes that it would be an insult to the Chinese people not to attend. The Dalai Lama agrees with President Bush’s position. The Dalai Lama believes that the Olympics will be a great source of pride for the Chinese people, who have also suffered much under Chinese rule and live without many freedoms. He always distinguishes between his ‘Chinese brothers and sisters’ – the citizens of China – and the Chinese government’s policies, which he opposes. I would not like other people to think that my government’s policies are a direct reflection of my own beliefs. We should afford the Chinese citizens this same courtesy. Boycotting or denying the Chinese citizen their accomplishment of hosting the Olympics will cause the opposite reaction that boycotters hope to achieve. Due to their lack of freedom of press and speech, Chinese citizens have no idea why other countries would shame them by not attending the opening. The average Chinese citizen has very little access to anything true about Tibet. The resulting reaction from a boycott, as was the case with the attacks on the torch, would allow the Chinese government to raise nationalistic fervor and radicalize the Chinese citizens even more against the Dalai Lama and Tibet. We must work to find a Middle Way’ and raise awareness of the lack of freedoms by all those under Chinese rule. But how does one support the Olympics, the athletes, the Chinese citizens while still opposing Chinese policy in Tibet? Let’s have a think….Story Here
We are working feverishly to complete the “Songs for Tibet – The Art of Peace.” The outpouring of support by so many people has been overwhelming. Droves of people have donated their time and effort to the project to make it a reality…in just 2 months! The artists, their management, record companies, lawyers, graphic + web designers, numerous volunteers etc, etc. Today, the Jacobson Howard Gallery in NYC and Underworld offered to host our press conference and release party in August! It will take place in tandem with Underworld’s amazing ‘Beautiful Burnout’ art exhibit. An incredible and beautiful gesture by all.
Many of us understand in our guts that something major is going on, that Tibet, the Dalai Lama and their way of life is precious and in jeopardy. But nobody knows what they can do to make a real difference. This project, as potentially insignificant as it may be in effecting true change in China, gives people a voice, a vehicle to allow their hopes and prayers to have a means of expression.
The Buddhist concept of ‘dhana’ (charity) echoes often in my mind with this project. Dhana, according to Buddhist tradition, not only enables the recipient to prosper materially, but it transforms the humanity of the giver. Dhana help us recognize our interconnected nature and the deeper happiness that arises from compassion for others. The outpouring of effort by so many for a cause much bigger than our selves has been humbling. I think I can speak for many involved that we have been profoundly transformed by the process of our small contributions to “Songs for Tibet - The Art of Peace”.
Tibetan prayer flags are written with blessings and hung outside for the winds to blow compassion and happiness to all of humanity. This album is a prayer flag – prayers and blessings from scores of people involved to make this album to be carried by electronic winds.
Before I go to bed & begin another 16 hour day of controlled chaos, the music…
We envisioned an acoustic, ‘not overly produced,’ album that would allow the words and emotion of the songs to speak to the listener at a heart level. The subject matter and clarity of the song was most important to us as well as hearing the human center from which the music emerges.
Sting was one of the first people to deliver a track for the album. Without hesitation he wanted to help and knew the song he would contribute. This is in the midst of his world tour with The Police! I thought it was going to be impossible, but thought it worth asking at least. Sting worked with Rupert Hine, the inexhaustible producer of the album, to create an incredible Latin-vibe version of, “Send Your Love.” Jorge Strunz (of Strunz and Farah, who I have been a long time fan for 20 years) did an amazing job on the guitar. Within 5 seconds of hearing the song, I was in love.
Tomorrow will hold new adventures, I am sure. New artists keep coming on board daily. More on this as they sign up….
The Art of Peace Foundation is a 503.1(C) non-profit founded on the Dalai Lama’s belief of “Universal Responsibility.” Regardless of nation, culture or religion, our compassionate and benevolent treatment of one another is an essential path for discovering our deepest peace and happiness. By understanding our common humanity our actions will transform the world in beneficial ways.
Grounded in the Dalai Lama’s vision of nonviolence, we engage the world in a proactive way. Where there is violence, our voices must be heard. Most people embrace peace and compassion as guiding principles of life. It is only when we speak through a unified voice that the strength of compassion and nonviolence can be fully harnessed. We want to lend our voices to these efforts.
We do not rely on donations, but ask you to support projects that resonate with your beliefs and interests. This concept of ‘action through transaction’ allows you to become an integral part of building the foundation’s vision.
Besides raising awareness and engaging areas of conflict around the world, the funds the foundation raises are distributed to peace-related projects that are dear to the Dalai Lama.
For 2,500 years the world has studied the Chinese classic, “The Art of War.” We believe that humanity is at a point where we can now only progress through “The Art of Peace.”
