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From my nationally syndicated feed...

SEAN LENNON & THE BEACH BOYS' AL JARDINE REMAKE 'GIVE PEACE A CHANCE' FOR BONO
by Howie Edelson

Sean Lennon has joined forces with Beach Boys co-founder Al Jardine to record a new, mainly A cappella rendition of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's global peace anthem, "Give Peace A Chance." The two gathered at Lennon's New York City apartment, along with Jardine's collaborator Larry Dvoskin, to cut the track, which will be among the many works, starting today (June 11th), that will be projected on the side of London's Tate Museum.

The project, which is being spearheaded by Bono's advocacy organization -- the ONE -- is the kickoff to the week-long "agit8", an artistic statement geared to force the world leaders meeting next week for the G8 World Summit to take a stand against world poverty. Artists are urged to record a new rendition of a notable protest song. Jardine, on his own, has also recorded and submitted his version of Pete Seeger and Lee Hays' folk classic "If I Had A Hammer."

Al Jardine set the scene for the historical session with the 37-year-old Lennon: "He meditates infrequently and so I said, 'Why don't we meditate together?' And he says, 'Yeah, wow, that'd be great!' And so I sort of started the session and then, about 20 minutes later, we came out and did this beautiful structure that we had gone over the night before, wasn't it? Over at his place. He's very, very smart. He tunes right into the A capella. . . the four-part harmonies that we did. His very favorite thing to listen to is from the (Beach Boys') Smile album, called, 'Our Prayer.' So, he wanted 'Give Peace A Chance' to have that vibe to it."

According to various sources, other artists also participating in the project include Sting, Elvis Costello and Mumford & Sons, Tom Morello, Kid Rock, Chris Daughtry, and will.i.am, among others.

There's been no announcement whether these new recordings will eventually be released to help benefit the cause at a later date.

Many thanks Howie,  good to hear.

Wonder if Smilley boarders should have a hear&beer at the Tate?

:beer

I'm no fan of the subject, it's too long & repetitive to me, but a cappella idea sounds intriguing. Very glad to know Al tries sth. new & collaborates with other musicians, no matter what kind of them - share general interests like TM & BBs fandom or completely different-minded.

As long as Bono isn't vocally or musically evident on the recording, it will be a must have for everyone's collection. 

You don't like his voice, right, Mr. Mill? As for me, I think Bono sings fairly good, though he won't be even in my Top-100 vocalists' ranking.

U2 and Bon Jovi are my two pet peeves as far as legitimate musical acts are concerned.  Obviously I'm not including people like Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and Justin Bieber in that conversation.  Btw: I love Pattie Boyd.  You ever see that commercial where she goes through the car wash?   ;)

Whoa!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuoZALcowTU

edit.Well a sample was there!

ONE presents Richard Barone & Al Jardine - If I Had A Hammer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-ON2O4UTUI

Thanks! That was neat!

Go Al! 

Damn! What a vocal.

Wow, blew me away. Al should do a folk cover album with these guys. Take like, one day.

Nice 8 string work by Al.

Good to see Al getting some respect in the world of music. He's so much more than a so-called guy waiting for a bus. Dennis was just jealous.

See if this one works.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJVwuTLW4lM

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Must be because the audio is not the same take as the video

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Holy moly, this made my morning.

Yup, like like like…!

Great videos, many thanks to you for sharing them, Pretty Funky! I liked the melody of the folk song, very optimistic, dig the banjo. And as usual, Al did terrific performance! Others were nice as well. Generally, I think I need to hear the Seeger's original & compare it with this tremendous cover. As for the shortie clip, it sounds beautiful, as a chant! Sean really has a better voice than John, unique in its own way. So all in all, it's a cool collaborative work! Quickly downloaded both songs via SaveTube.

2JohnMill: I see where you're coming from - I also have my own list of unfavorite artists, Bon Jovi is right there too. Re Patti Boyd: it's not her in the avatar, it's her sister Jenny, former model. Don't know how you mixed them, since they look so different. Anyway, I didn't know Patti showed up in a TV commercial, quite strange it's about car, not, say, cosmetics or mobile telephone.

That's right. I wonder where this unfunny bus-waiter "joke" originated. It's very unfair & utterly wrong to call Al like that.

You're showing your age there. She's as out of vogue as Bing Crosby.......

Wow-that's pretty cool. I may got shot down for saying this but on some parts Al reminded me of Neil Diamond. There's two guys who have managed to keep their voices intact

Just in case anybody was wondering...there is only one definitive version of If I Had A Hammer and its not Pete Seeger's original.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UKvpONl3No

What are you talking about???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxBabQ2kICU

Yes, indeed!  Ya got that right!!!

:lol

No wait...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2l95fuAVWs

Check out the bassist! ;D (00:01:09, for example). The audience is pretty scary, as well.


P.S. But I have to agree about the PP&M version. It's easily the most-listened-to song of my The Very Best Of Peter Paul and Mary collection. Pure bliss.

I'm definitely going to download all these suggested covers of "If I Had A Hammer". Shall listen to them & get my own idea which version is the best. Thank you, my friends!

Yeah, that Peter Paul and Mary version is incredible...sends chills. Mary Travers was years ahead of her time...not many young girls looked or moved like that in 1963.
Full version here...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkKrWMTlTfE

No no no..

http://youtu.be/lGIXrziSLCQ (http://youtu.be/lGIXrziSLCQ)

Agreed. As far as I'm concerned, Al has gone from being the dorky guy you tended to to overlook / disregard to being the coolest living Beach Boy. His vocals on the reunion album and tour were stellar!

Al sounds amazing as always.... and way to thumb that mandolin!

The Lennon track is most impressive... wonder who arranged the vocals?

That was great!  :lol

You don't prefer Al's version even after he does a shout-out for you Jon? Talk about gratitude!  :lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVS8pydRbVE

I'm hoping Al likes Peter Paul and Mary too! ;D

No no no no....

Best version right hur:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_sjBdiOF4M

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Love Al's Hammer remake. Here's to a full-on folkie album from Al!

All the guys are such prisoners of their musical legacy. More power to 'em when they break out of the shell and do what moves 'em.

Goodly said, Mr. Dah! Only one correction: Brian left off his shell to go solo very long time ago, back in 1988, as you must know but has forgotten for some reason. He continues to be a creative force. So, not all the guys are prisoned in cage w/o new musical ideas.

Al should really do a folk album!  He loves covers, he's in his element with the folk stuff!

This version blows the other versions away
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvoJQlhzHyU

I friggin' love Trini Lopez!

An interesting thought!

Did Brian ever really "break out of the shell" during the past 30 years? I wish he did! The Gershwin record (despite the somewhat unimaginative backing tracks) may be pretty close and judging from his vocal performance on that album it was something that got him at least very interested, which I suspect is a rare thing to happen.

Can I just take this opportunity to say that Bono is a little tax-dodging midget arsehole. Thanks.

You forgot the word pretentious.

And he wears sunglasses indoors. I once got into a lift with him. He was wearing sunglasses and looking all smug like he expected to be recognised, then looked at me in disgust when I didn't react to his presence.

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Fair enough about the eye condition. Less so about giving people evil looks for not being overawed by his existence...

I was going to suggest the Gershwin album as an example (although I do have a guilty pleasure for the 4/4 shuffle beat numbers, like They Can't Take That Away From Me). Perhaps Orange Crate Art could be another example.

Ain't Necessarily So has some dark Ira lyrics that are uncharacteristically Brian, which is why I found his rendition so refreshing.

Com'on Al. Call some young heavy cats down to Red Barn, such as Nickel Creek - you'll knock out an album in record time and it'll sell close to Postcard numbers.

The Ghost of Murry!

(http://i42.tinypic.com/nqnyaw.jpg)

WHY ARE WE YELLING?

Just going to quietly alter my earlier post, after a few suggestions and comments from other posters....

Can I just take this opportunity to say that Bono is a pretentious little tax-dodging midget arsehole, who writes crap songs. Thanks.

Brian knew how to deal with Bono  :lol

How so? Please tell me it involved Bono humiliation!

http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,8030.msg131760.html#msg131760 (http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,8030.msg131760.html#msg131760)

That was great. Hope Brian secretly knew who it was. I mean, when did you last see a waiter wearing sunglasses indoors...?

Orange Crate Art - yes, I agree! Given Brian is usually considered the most "artistic" Beach Boy it's quite disappointing that much of his solo career had him trying to recapture either Summer Days or Pet Sounds. In a way that's why I enjoy most of Sweet Insanity despite the record's many flaws.

Dude this is incredible, Al's voice keeps on getting better every day! he leads to do more lead for sure, wow.

I think Bono sings great... and U2 was a great band, it's just if you can hear Bono in a song, then you're reminded Bono had something to do with it, and he's incredibly annoying.  I'm not even sure it's possible to be more annoying than Bono is (I've tried).  Sean Lennon singing about wispy hippy stuff? I can handle it.  Al Jardine doing his best job on a John Lennon flower power song?  Sounds good.  Bono is just a little much, though...

Very well done, sounds awesome.  Somebody explain to me.... what Bridge has Al been hiding under for the last 30 years?  He's so fucking great, but yet hasn't done anything in forver. 

Sorry... needs more Brian.  I guess this stuff's harder to do than it seems.

Yeah but that condition is caused by WEARING SUNGLASSES INDOORS

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(http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lns2zqsjEK1qlqonqo1_500.jpg)

I think the only way some of us can be satisfied is if he does a live tv broadcast where bright light is blasted directly into his eyes and a panel of experts opine about it. For charity, of course. For starving Belgians. They are very hungry this time of year.

Al can plaintively strum an acoustic guitar in the background.

Count me in as one of those who'd like to see Al do an album of his fave folk stuff sometime. Heck, it would give him the perfect excuse to wear a striped shirt again.

But I wish the project shown above was connected to something besides Bono.

Jon Langford of the Mekons put it so well.  "A few times I've heard a new song on the radio and it started out sounding like it might be really good.  Then, suddenly, I get a sick feeling in my stomach, and a moment later, Bono starts singing."

Sony Bono is still alive?!??   >:D

After hearing all the versions suggested here + covers of Bobby Rydell & The Seekers, I made the conclusion that the best one is the subject (Al & Richard's tandem), close 2nd - by Peter Paul & Mary. I agree with Mr. Stebbins, it's a very cool rendition, Mary sang the song tremendously. Also agree with him that the Weavers' original is weak, too slow & uninspiring. Though the worst cover is obviously Pavone's, language-wise.
Now, I very enjoyed Andy Kane's reggae-stylized version, mostly because of the jazz orchestration. As for the vocs, sure, Kane isn't a good singer, yet he's got cool lisping accent. Generally, the video is good, I liked it for its positivity & friendliness, not to mention - for funny & awkward dancing/walking. Thanks to Nicko1234 for this YT wonder, now I know yet another name in show business, never heard before of that human.

OT but another little goodie from Al and friend.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynJuiPn5-Oc

Is that Bono without the glasses?

Cute.

 I noticed Al made sure his singing partner was seated, so as not to emphasize Al's height, or lack of....

This is the kid.

http://www.larsmuhl.com/uk/news/18_04_13.html

Guess by the website he is related to the Lars Muhl dude. Al sure has some interesting friends. ::)

Sorry, I only just read this comment. Cracking stuff. :lol

RangeRover is the best!

Nice collaboration. For an 8-year-old boy, Al's friend sings rarely in tune. Al himself was ace, as always.
One non-musical thing I noticed which I already knew before: Al has the sweetest smile I've seen in people! Very youthful & joyful! Especially at around the 7th sec., it can't be cuter than that. It's really hard not to love Al.

Generally, I'm happy that he tries sth. new other than just performs the BBs/solo songs.

Regarding Andy Cane comment, I actually was very serious about liking his version of If I Had A Hammer. Didn't think one bit of joking/being ironic.