Does anyone remember the childhood game “Telephone?†A group of people pass a whisper from person to person and see how the whisper changes as it moves through the group. The Voice Project is like a musical version, but better. One musician covers another, hopefully inspiring the covered artist to continue the chain.
The project was inspired by a group of women from Uganda who are using their voices and songs to rise above the horrors of war-ravaged Uganda, Southern Sudan and Eastern Congo.
The Project’s latest participant is Billy Bragg, who covers Joanna Newsom’s “On a Good Day†from a London hotel room. Here’s the full story courtesy of the Voice Project:
This one’s kind of a great story; the ladies in Uganda had covered Joe Purdy’s “Suitcase,” then Joe covered REM, and then Mike Mills did Billy’s “Sing Their Souls Back Home.” Shortly afterwards Mike saw Billy at SXSW, told him he had covered his song and gave him the whole story. Next thing you know we’re emailing to set up a session with Billy, we made plans to catch up with him at his hotel room during a layover in London… Enjoy.
For more on the Voice Project visit their web site.
Billy Bragg covering Joanna Newsom’s “On a Good Dayâ€
Mike Mills covering Billy Bragg’s “Sing Their Souls Back Homeâ€
Peter Gabriel covering Tom Wait’s “In the Neighborhoodâ€
Joseph Arthur covering Peter Gabriel’s “Shock the Monkeyâ€
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.