(New York, NY) — Amnesty International today releases “Toast To Freedom,” a new and exclusive commemorative song dedicated to human rights activism around the world and performed by nearly 50 artists, including the late Levon Helm, Kris Kristofferson, Carly Simon, Angelique Kidjo, Ewan McGregor, Donald Fagen, Warren Haynes, Keb Mo, Eric Burdon, Taj Mahal, Florent Pagny, Marianne Faithfull, Jane Birkin, Jimmy Barnes, Rosanne Cash, Shawn Mullins, the Blind Boys of Alabama, among others.
Written by veteran guitarist/producers Carl Carlton (Robert Palmer, Eric Burdon, Keb Mo) and Larry Campbell (Levon Helm Band, Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello), “Toast To Freedom” is the brainchild of Carlton, and longtime music industry executive, activist, and entrepreneur Jochen Wilms in collaboration with Art for Amnesty founder Bill Shipsey.
“Toast To Freedom,” which celebrates Amnesty International’s 50th anniversary, is being released to coincide with World Press Freedom Day. It’s available for purchase via online retailers worldwide via www.toasttofreedom.org. Net proceeds will benefit Amnesty International.
To mark the occasion as the song is launched, Amnesty International is asking people to take action on behalf of Chinese journalist Shi Tao and Tibetan filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen, both of whom are in prison for exercising their basic right to free expression. For more information and to take action, please visit:
http://www.amnestyusa.org/pressfreedomday
Suzanne Nossel, executive director, Amnesty International USA, said: “Toast to Freedom is an inspired tribute to millions of dedicated human rights activists all over the world. The songwriters salute every individual ‘united in the dream for victory,’ reflecting the spirit of our movement – that each of us can contribute to a better world. We are deeply grateful to all of the musicians involved in creating this gorgeous song.”
The basic tracks were recorded at the legendary Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, N.Y, affectionately known as “the Barn,” and where Helm, a four-time Grammy winner, stages intimate, multi-artist concert performances known as the “Midnight Ramble.” Producer/engineer Bob Clearmountain (The Who, Paul McCartney, Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen) produced the track, which was then sent out to artists, who added vocals.
“Toast To Freedom” was inspired by Carlton, a longtime supporter of Amnesty International, who suggested teaming up with Wilms on a commemorative project to mark the organization’s 50th anniversary.
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.”
Shipsey said of Helm: “On behalf of Amnesty International’s millions of members around the world I want to say how grateful we are to Levon Helm for his generous artistic contribution and support that will make a real difference to our life-saving work around the world. We in Amnesty owe him a huge debt. The best way to repay that debt to him is by continuing our work. Levon Helm created with 50 international musicians some musical magic for Amnesty. This happens when goodness and love combine with kindness and art to produce beauty and power leading to unarmed truth – still the most powerful thing in the universe.”
Filmmaker Natalie Johns of Dig for Fire captured all stages of the international production on video. Johns is known for her works with such artists as Jay-Z, Peter Gabriel and The Rolling Stones. The project will be featured in a short “making-of” documentary as well as a companion music video.
In 1962, Amnesty International evolved from a one-year campaign to free political prisoners -the inspiration of a British lawyer outraged by the injustice he saw worldwide — into a global movement fighting for justice, freedom and human dignity.
“Our hope from the very start was to bring the message of freedom and human rights to a global audience,” said Shipsey.
Toast To Freedom Music Video – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rou_8F9o-zk
The making of the “Toast To Freedom” video – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWNUulL_CsY
“TOAST TO FREEDOM” PERFORMED BY
| Amy Helm
Angelique Kidjo Arno Axelle Red Bertha Blades Blind Boys of Alabama Carl Carlton Carly Simon Christine & The Queens Christophe Willem David D’Or Donald Fagen Emmanuel Jal Eric Burdon Essie Jain |
Ewan McGregor
Florent Pagny Gentleman Jane Birkin Jerry “Wyzard” Seay Jimmy Barnes John Leventhal JP Nataf Keb Mo Kris Kristofferson Larry Campbell Levon Helm Mahalia Barnes Marianne Faithfull Matthew Houck |
Max Buskohl
Moses Mo Nacho Campillo Pascal Kravetz Rosanne Cash Shawn Mullins Sir Samuel Sonny Landreth Sussan Deyhim Taj Mahal Teresa Williams Vida Simon Warren Haynes Wayne P. Sheehy Zackary Alford |
Executive Producers: Bill Shipsey and Jochen Wilms
Produced by Bob Clearmountain
Co-Produced and Written by Carl Carlton & Larry Campbell
Information about imprisoned journalist Shi Tao and filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen
In April 2004, Shi Tao used his Yahoo! email account to send a message to a U.S.-based pro-democracy website. Police arrested him in November 2004, charging him with “illegally providing state secrets to foreign entities.” Shi Tao was sentenced in April 2005 to 10 years’ imprisonment and two years’ subsequent deprivation of his political rights.
Tibetan filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen in 2007 travelled throughout Tibet, filming interviews with Tibetans about the Olympic Games in Beijing. Soon afterwards, he was arrested and convicted of state subversion in a secret trail. His interviews were smuggled out of the country and made into a film, Leaving Fear Behind, which has been screened in more than 30 countries. Dhondup is still in prison and has reportedly been tortured and deprived of medical treatment.
About Amnesty International
Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 3 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.
For more information, please visit: www.amnestyusa.org.
