Songs of Peace — Bill Anderson
These songs were recorded over a period of years and brought together to share music with a common thread of peace, freedom, hope and compassion. Some are songs I have loved for many years; others came to me as I was writing and performing during an important part of my musical life.
1. All I Want — written by Joni Mitchell, 1971
Bill Anderson — guitar, vocal, bass and conga.
This is my favorite Joni Mitchell song from the incredible album Blue. Nobody can touch Joni’s vocal skills, but I love this song and give it my best shot. I slightly changed the lyrics to give it a more universal message.
2. He Ain’t Heavy — written by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell, 1969
Bill Anderson — guitar and vocal. Barry Phillips — cello.
This is a great song from my old hippie days, although back then I was into blues and R&B. Now it seems like a timeless message for us all. I changed the lyrics slightly to include our sisters. Barry Phillips makes the song come alive with his incredible cello arrangement.
3. A Song of Peace — written by Bill Anderson, 2003
Bill Anderson — guitar, vocal and bass. Steve Robertson — congas.
I wrote this song when I was invited to provide music for a men’s spiritual retreat. It really is the essence of my personal philosophy. While writing this song I just felt like a vessel through which Spirit was speaking. I am very grateful for this song.
4. How It Feels to Be Free — written by Billy Taylor and Dick Dallas, 1954
Bill Anderson — guitar and vocal.
I loved this song from the first time I heard Nina Simone sing it. I learned a lot by studying her vocal style. I was glad to find out it had roots in the Civil Rights Movement, but it really is more a personal and spiritual message for me.
5. Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World — music by Harold Arlen, lyrics by E.Y. Harburg; music and lyrics by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss. Arrangement by Iz Kamakawiwoʻole
Bill Anderson — ukulele and vocal.
I pretty much copied Iz’s arrangement of these two songs when I recorded this medley. His recording sparked my reinterest in the ukulele. This is my most requested song wherever I happen to perform, and I really feel like a channel for Iz and the message that these songs give to us all.
6. Let the Children Grow — written by Bill Anderson, 2002
Bill Anderson — guitar and vocal. Barry Phillips — cello.
I wanted to write a song for children, but it really turned out to be a song for adults. With all the problems in the world and in our daily lives we still need to find more ways to help all the children of the world. I hope this song will find its way to organizations that can use it to help promote the welfare of our most precious resource.
7. Three Little Birds — written by Bob Marley, 1977
Bill Anderson — guitar and vocal. Steve Robertson — congas.
This is a great song by Bob Marley with a wonderful positive message. I have put in the “Everything’s gonna be all right” from No Woman No Cry because it just works so well together.
I love the story about No Woman No Cry. Though Bob Marley likely wrote the song himself, songwriter credits were given to “V. Ford.” Vincent Ford was a friend of Marley’s who ran a soup kitchen in Trenchtown, the ghetto of Kingston, Jamaica where Marley grew up. The royalty cheques received by Ford ensured the survival and continual running of his soup kitchen. Now that’s what I’m talking about!
Acknowledgements
Thanks to Tangi Ukulele and Martin Guitar for their wonderful instruments. Thanks to Vince Sanchez at VSO Recording Studio for his kindness and engineering expertise. Thanks to all my family and friends for helping me learn life’s lessons.
My most heartfelt gratitude to Karuna Ault, without whose inspiration, dedication, perseverance, and skill this album would never have been recorded. And to Bruce Kaphan, a great friend, musician, and recording engineer/producer, without whom this album might never have been finished.
Musicians
Bill Anderson — guitar, ukulele, vocals, bass, conga
Steve Robertson — congas
Barry Phillips — cello
Producers: Karuna Ault and Bill Anderson
Engineers: Karuna Ault and Vince Sanchez
Final Mix Engineer: Bruce Kaphan
Recorded at VSO Studio in Santa Cruz, CA and Sacred Sound Studio in Bonny Doone, CA, 2007.
Final mix at Bruce Kaphan Studio in Niles, CA, 2024.