Toast To Freedom

May

2012

Toast To Freedom

'Toast To Freedom' an exclusive commemorative song dedicated to human rights activism around the world and performed by nearly 50 artists, is released today by Amnesty International.

Written by music veterans Carl Carlton and Larry Campbell, performers include Levon Helm, Kris Kristofferson, Carly Simon, Angelique Kidjo, Ewan McGregor, Donald Fagen, Warren Haynes, Keb Mo, Eric Burdon, Taj Mahal, Marianne Faithfull, Rosanne Cash and the Blind Boys of Alabama.

'Amnesty should have their very own song to sing in happy times and in struggling times.' says Carlton. 'To celebrate both small and monumental victories, to comfort loss and overcome pain.'

The track, released to coincide with World Press Freedom Day, is available for purchase online worldwide and proceeds will benefit Amnesty International. Read more about how the song came together here.

'Toast To Freedom' was inspired by Carlton, a longtime supporter of Amnesty International, who teamed up with entrepreneur Jochen Wilms and Art for Amnesty founder Bill Shipsey, longtime collaborator with U2 in their work with Amnesty International.

The basic tracks were recorded at the legendary Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, N.Y, and following Helms death on April 19, Wilms said: 'Levon was one great soul. I am so grateful we got to work with him, his outstanding band and team in his barn in Woodstock. He was an inspiration and our muse. The song “Toast To Freedom” is dedicated to Amnesty International but in a certain way is now a 'Toast To Levon' and a celebration for him as well: Truth, heart and soul were always part of Levon’s DNA and are the essential basis of Amnesty International and our project. We will miss him and love him forever.'

Visit the Toast To Freedom website. Buy the song from iTunes.

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louiequeano - 10 May, 2012

TOAST TO FREEDOM

The song sweetly laid those encouraging words "nobody's free till everybody's free" and this is particularly true to Ericson Acosta one of those Filipino artist/musician locked up for more than a year now and all 350 political prisoners whose only crime is to protect freedom from those who wish to crush it. Let all musicians and artists of the world unite to free all whose human rights are violated and abused. - Louie Queano (FMWM- Migrante Canada)

greydogblues - 09 May, 2012

ditto that thought louiequeano

well said. the song is lovely, too ~

louiequeano - 04 May, 2012

Long Live Musicians of the People!

Musicians should serve to benefit people by raising awareness to issues that confronts their day to day existence. Such important issues as human rights violations and all forms of abuses should be exposed through music and arts so that people of the world are informed and encouraged to fight and resist. (LQUEANO-FMWM/Migrante Canada

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