Salaam Suite music & lyrics by Paul Livingstone - fretless & fretted guitars, requintos, sitar & voice www.tanpura.com
Salaam Suite features members of Ozomatli, Quetzal & Kan Zaman Ensemble, check out their websites below, To see musician details click on lyrics of each song posted and the musicians & instruments are listed on individual tracks.
“When pressed by the demands of inner truth, men do not easily assume the task of opposing their government's policy, especially in time of war. We are at the moment when our lives must be placed on the line if our nation is to survive it’s own folly. Every man of humane convictions must decide on the protest that best suits his convictions, but… WE MUST ALL PROTEST.” - Rev. Martin Luther King , April 4th 1967
Sounds Like
It began with a song at the outbreak of the war in Afghanistan and is a blend of Middle Eastern rhythms & melodies and a cool Latin rock groove. ‘There’s a Day’ is a positive wake up call and commentary song on the sad state of affairs in our great country and the results we have had on the people the world over.
When America decided to ‘fix’ Iraq, this one song began to evolve into a world music suite. ‘Salaam Suite’ includes authentic Arabic music, Latin, funk, hip-hop, country & reggae styles in a funny & irreverent musical collusion. Described in words it's certainly sounds dodgy but I believe it works! The subject matter includes war, social & economic injustice, human rights, loss of liberties & the coercive use of the media. It is all presented in a very straightforward, simple, musically catchy manner.
Listen in & let me know what you think of the songs.
Performing on Salaam Suite are members of international touring ensembles two time Grammy winners Ozomatli; Quetzal & Kan Zaman. These Los Angeles based artists represent some of the most culturally diverse, creative & outspoken popular & traditional ensembles.
In a collection of whirling and humorous fresh protest songs, laments, unity anthems, & world Hip Hop grooves, themes & improvisations of traditional Arabic music flow in and out while incorporating a myriad of authentic and popular styles including Mexican & American folk, reggae, country, Indian, funk & rock n roll sounds.
Combining diverse world music & popular styles these songs pull together cutting edge youth culture and authentic world music traditions with a message to call us into positive change for the world.
Salaam Suite is a collaboration of diverse world music & popular artists calling for a renewed spirit of progressive change in the American consciousness. Creating a sense of unity and lifting a unified voice for human rights and dignity for all people is what this music is about.
These songs express an honest reflection on the American situation today. As we recognize the difficulty of the present situation, but we also see that NOW IS THE TIME for great opportunity & change! With opposition to war so strong around the world, we stand at an unprecedented place in history. Salaam Suite is a positive message of empowerment of our personal roles in shaping a unified vision of peace, justice and true democracy for us all, here in the United States and around the world.
peace in ~ Paul Z
Paul Livingstone & Salaam Suite's Friend Space (Top 7)
Thanks for the add. ¶ People hear only what they want, so facts alone won't wake them; they'll need inspiration too. An echo of an echo of Buddha or Jesus becomes encrusted in ritual, and loses context and content. Still, we write what we can. Try to hear the questions behind people's questions. ¶ This world's diverse evils have a common root: Bullies, liars, thieves, and murderers — in market, government, and elsewhere — believe we're all separate, motivated only by self-interest, greed, fear. They want us to share that belief, for they use it to justify themselves, to keep us apart, to control politics and the economy, perpetuating war, poverty, and ecocide. Their power comes not so much from cabals as from trojan memes, ubiquitous propaganda, implicit in ads and in their framing of the news. ¶ But they're mistaken about our motives. You and I have found love inside ourselves and our friends. It's in everyone, if only we can wake them, for we're all one flesh and blood. Let's spread that vision, for until we do our other advances will be minor and temporary. The bureacracy of brutality cannot stand if we open the eyes of its workers. ¶ What is human nature? Our task is not just to describe what we see, but to choose what we hope to become. The ideological battle between love and fear shapes the world, and its outcome is not yet written. Watching, voting, shopping are not enough. If you haven't already, join the global conversation, in whatever way feels right for you. Worldwide enlightenment has no precedent, no rules; we must discover and erase them en route. Make love not war is as serious as Orwell and as light as "Chocolat." ¶ For a start, just talk with people; that may not sound like much, but really it's huge. Spread the word. Each of us knows only part of the song, but keep singing, hoping, resisting, questioning. Hand in hand, we may heal this world yet. — Eric
i miss your music. please include me on the email list. I haven't gotten one in quite some time. when are you playing in Sun Valley again? that was so cool! also the friends place you played at with the Arohi release party. loved that too! God bless and keep you under his wings, Amii
Dear Brother Paul - Aahhh, good! We connect in Our-space.
Really enjoy your tunes and hope more and more people hear your phenomenal musicianship - your talents deserve to be heard.
Transcendent is just awaiting a few last tweaks including some fretless bass by Tony Franklin but it is essentially finished. I burned some preview copies for a concert in September and would be happy to send you one - just send me your mailing address!
woooow you ain't gunna believe me...i did this offer to get a REAL bag with a wallet from Coach absolutely FREE and it totally came!! since i KNOW its not a hoax now, i'm going to act real fast and get some more to give to people as gifts..you ought to go get a few as well LMAO! isnt the one they sent me dope?
