Friday, April 4, 2008

We Will Be Free One Day

The headlines today reminded me of one of my favorite Martin Luther King Jr-related songs: a three-part, nearly 16-minute downtempo dance track called "Spiritual High" by Moodswings, a joint venture between former Smiths roadie, guitar tech, and producer Grant Showbiz and onetime Pretender James Hood. It features Chrissie Hynde on vocals and samples Martin Luther King Jr's "I Have A Dream" speech extensively. It never fails to give me chills.

Incidentally, the middle section of "Spiritual High" is a cover of "State Of Independence," a song originally recorded by Jon & Vangelis but made famous in a definitive cover by Donna Summer, whose version featured an All-Star Choir: Christopher Cross, Dionne Warwick, James Ingram, Kenny Loggins, Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson, Michael McDonald, Quincy Jones, and Stevie Wonder among others. That's some big star power circa 1982!

Download: Moodswings - Spiritual High (Parts 1-3)

Watch the video for "State Of Independence" by Donna Summer:

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