My friend Tomas Doncker told me he was planning to go in the studio next Monday and record a cover of Nick Lowe’s “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace Love And Understand” in support of peaceful protests in Ferguson, where he might also play.
A terrific song and you just know Doncker’s version is gonna be devastating and brilliant and it got me thinking of protest songs for the people of Ferguson. I have somewhat liberal friends who agree with the verdict but I don’t. In the end if the Police Force is 98% white and the population of Ferguson is 98% black, this is, to put it simply, apartheid. Ferguson was a travesty, they indict a tuna fish sandwich for having too much mayo in this country but they didn’t think a killing that caused a town to go up in flames was worth a closer look? that’s bullshit. whenever people are taking sides solely on racial grounds about a town in the South, history has taught us the whites are wrong.
But that isn’t this, this is suggestions for Ferguson protest album.
Fight The Power – Public Enemy – Spike Lee set the Bronx on fire to this tremendous and ultra-aggressive (and accurate) protest song. The beat is marshall and the call is completely unequivocal.
There’s A Riot Going On – Sly And The Family Stone – 0:00 minutes of silence
Stand – Sly And The Family Stone – peaceful self respect, almost folk funk… now that is nothing ever invented
Fuck the Police – NWA – Complete agitprop, no way round in, no way out.
Police And Thieves – Junior Marvin – Just to keep everything and everybody honest –remember, there is a thin line between rioting and looting.
A Change Is Gonna Come – Sam Cooke – Where you’ve been and where you’re going
American Skin (41 Shots) – Bruce Springsteen – Sage and sorry advice from Bruce, it might not save our brother in their conflicts with the police but it certainly won’t harm.
RESPECT – Aretha Franklin – The very least we can expect from those who are paid to protect us.
One Love/People get ready – Bob Marley – Two greats, Curtis Mayfield is the other of course, and this where we stop.
