Two Nepali musicians have been featured on a music video of a song “The Weight” alongside the legendary drummer Ringo Starr of The Beatles and Robbie Robertson of “The Band“. Sanjay Shrestha of 1974 AD and Rajeev Shrestha of Sur Sudha collaborated with 15 other musicians around the world, on a song that was written and composed by Robbie Robertson of popular band “The Band.”
Sanjay Shrestha of 1974 AD at 3:50 mark
Play for Change Foundation was behind this project where they recorded local musicians from 10 different countries performing the same song, interpreted in their own style.
One of the representatives for Playing for Change was at one of Sanjay’s concerts a few years ago. Sanjay told Nepalisite.
“We met after the concert and he really liked what I was doing musically and said I should be a Playing for Change artist and I happily agreed and was honoured to me offered such an opportunity.”
Breaking down the boundaries and overcome distances between people
Rajeev Shrestha of Sur Sudha at 3:03 mark in the video below.
Video was recorded in 2017, and took almost 2 years to complete the production. “We made it brick by brick, starting with Robbie,” co-founder Mark Johnson of Play for Change, told The Rolling Stones. “That’s what makes this special.
“We could never have never assembled this group in the studio. You need to go there, and then when you go there, you’re where they feel comfortable. You hear that in the music.”
“We’re excited to share our newest Song Around The World, “The Weight,” featuring musicians performing together across 5 continents. Great songs can travel everywhere bridging what divides us and inspiring us to see how easily we all get along when the music plays. Special thanks to our partner Cambria® for helping to make this possible and to Robbie Robertson, Ringo Starr and all the musicians for joining us in celebrating 50 years of this classic song”, Play For Change wrote on their youtube page.
Both Sanjay and Rajeev have been part of the collaboration in the past as well. Play For Change have featured other Nepali musicians in the videos in the past as well.
Below are the videos that were released in the past including few other Nepali musicians.
Waayau Haha playing guitar at 28 seconds mark on With My Own Two Hands,” by Ben Harper
Raju Maharjan playing Tabala on Imagine by John Lennon at 2:31 mark in the video below.
Rameshwor Maharjan at 2:30 mark
Sanjay at 2:43 mark on a song “With My Own Two Hands,” by Ben Harper
Playing For Change is a movement created to inspire and connect the world through music, born from the shared belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. Our primary focus is to record and film musicians performing in their natural environments and combine their talents and cultural power in innovative videos we call Songs Around the World. Creating these videos motivated us to form the Playing For Change Band—a tangible, traveling representation of our mission, featuring musicians met along our journey; and establish the Playing For Change Foundation—a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to building music and art schools for children around the world. Through these efforts, we aim to create hope and inspiration for the future of our planet.
Learn more: http://playingforchange.com
Sanjay wrote on his facebook, “I have been lucky enough to have played and collaborate with lots of great artists over the years but who would have thought I would get to play on a track where Ringo Star is playing the drums. Honoured to to be a part of a historic song with such great musicians from around the world. Also, proud and happy to be representing Nepal through music. Thank you Playing for Change.”
Rajeev wrote on his facebook, “I have been fortunate enough to collaborate with lots of great artists from all over world. It’s a such an honor and privileged to play on a track where the living legend Ringo Star ( drummer of the historic band The BEATLES ) is playing the drums and featuring legendary Robbie Robertson. Honoured to to be a part of a historic song with such great musicians from around the world. Feeling so proud and happy to represent Nepal through music. Thank you so much Playing for Change.”
