Watch Keith Richards Cover Bob Marley With Musicians Worldwide
Keith Richards collaborated with a number of worldwide musicians for a rendition of his reggae song “Words of Wonder,” off 1992’s Main Offender, and a cover of Bob Marley‘s “Get Up, Stand Up,” in order to raise awareness for the charity Playing for Change.
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The charity helps build music and art schools for children around the world and was created to “inspire and connect the world through music.” That’s exactly what the Rolling Stones guitarist did in the video, which premiered via NME, playing with musicians including bluesman Keb’ Mo’, Congo-born reggae artist Mermans Mosengo and Jamaican reggae singer Sherieta Lewis, as well as musicians like “Washboard Chaz” from New Orleans and artists from Uruguay, Zimbabwe and Mexico, among other places. All of the musicians, including Richards, play wearing headphones to stay in sync.
The song will appear on Playing for Change 3: Songs Around the World, a new CD and DVD set of artists including Los Lobos and Toots and the Maytal’s Toots Hibbert collaborating with artists like Argentinian rocker Andrés Calamaro and Taj Mahal, respectively. Other artists on the compilation include Sara Bareilles and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. The set will come out on June 17th.
It’s not clear when Richards recorded the track, but the Rolling Stones are taking a break from touring as frontman Mick Jagger mourns the death of his girlfriend L’Wren Scott, who died in March. The group, which postponed its Australian tour to October, will resume touring in late May in Norway.
At the time of Scott’s death, Richards and the other Stones offered up words of condolence for Jagger. “No one saw this coming,” Richards said. “Mick’s always been my soul brother and we love him. We’re thick as thieves and we’re all feeling for the man. We really hate to disappoint our fans, but we’ll see everyone really soon.”