Legendary Led Zeppelin bassist, John Paul Jones has lent his extraordinary talents to a good cause, appearing in a brand new music video to perform Led Zepp’s When The Levee Breaks alongside 17 artists of note from around the world.
Each artist recorded their parts remotely for the video, which also features guitarists Derek Trucks and Buffalo Nichols, drummer Stephen Perkins, harmonica player Ben Lee, singers Susan Tedeschi and Elle Marja Eira, among others. Jones recorded his part at the Royal Botanic Gardens in England.
Proceeds from the project are to be divided among several environmental and philanthropic organizations, such as Conservation International, American Rivers, WWF, and, the projects namesake, the Playing for Change Foundation.
Co-producer of the track, and son of the beloved frontman of The Ban, Robbie Robertson, Sebastian Robertson, said in a statement: “Looking at When the Levee Breaks through the lens of producing a song to raise awareness for key environmental organizations truly felt like a plea for climate justice. The wailing guitars, harmonica and vocals all in harmony for Mother Earth.”
John Paul Jones told Rolling Stone: “It’s a great cause, and I really liked what Sebastian and the team are doing. The videos are all so well put together and a joy to watch.” Watch below.
‘When The Levee Breaks’ feat. John Paul Jones [Playing For Change | Song Around The World]
Led Zeppelin released their cover version of When The Levee Breaks on their 1971 fourth album, aka Led Zeppelin IV. The track was originally composed in 1929 and recorded by Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie as a reflection on the catastrophic Great Mississippi Flood of 1927. Jones reflected no the timelessness of the track, that seems to find new meaning with every passing year, saying:
“It seems that little has changed since 1927 or even 2005 with [Hurricane] Katrina. It’s still a really powerful track, both musically and lyrically.”
Find out more about the Playing For Change Foundation, here.
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