JTMP

A new book, titled "33 Revolutions Per Minute" by author Dorian Lynskey chronicles the history of protest songs and music in America and around the world, from Holiday’s “Strange Fruit," Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s “Ohio,” to Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come”.

He writes about these songs, “the political content is not an obstacle to greatness, but the source of it. They open a door and the world outside rushes in. The song’s message, smuggled into the commercial strictures of mass entertainment, is the grit that makes the pearl.”

 Rock Against Poverty is a organization that aims to "mobilize local musicians and artists to inspire action and raise funds to fight poverty and support climate change mitigation projects to save Mother Earth", their website says. They recently held a concert on Earth Day in New York, featuring Lorenz, a long-time collaborator with singer Mariah Carey, with 10 other musical artists.

Rock against Poverty is the brainchild of Dennis Ramdahin, executive director of the Vihara Foundation, a nongovernmental organization addressing poverty and climate mitigation issues.  Economist Albert Gyan and musician Dale Stephens are co-founders of RaP.

Ramdahin said, "Rock against Poverty through globally interconnecting art, music and culture, will support real science, real solutions, real-time intervention and real action to make this world a better place. The world can do longer wait to decide our children's and planet's future. Urgent action must be taken now."

Tom Morello, from Rage Against the Machine fame, has recorded and released a pro-union album and will donate the proceeds to a labor organization. Tom Morello has been very active when it comes to music and activism, including his work with Audioslave and Street Sweeper Social Club. Below is a video of the title track from the album, and you can download the song for FREE here:

Here is Tom Morello and friends performing at a pro-union concert in Wisconsin.

The new EP, titled "Union Town" will contain eight pro-union songs, some of the songs he was inspired to write after his experience in Madison, Wisconsin attending the pro-union rallies this past February. All the profits from the sale of the EP will go to benefit The America Votes Labor Unity Fund. For more information, visit SaveWorkers.org.

Tom Morello : The Nightwatchman Union Town Track Listing:
1. Union Town
2. Solidarity Forever
3. Which Side Are You On?
4. A Wall Against The Wind
5. 16 Tons
6. This Land Is Your Land
7. I Dreamed I Saw Joe Hill Last Night
8. Union Song (Live - Capitol Square, Madison, Wisconsin Feb. 21st, 2011)