The Original and the New Story of When The Levee Breaks

Prepare to be uplifted by the global harmony of Playing for Change. Our awe was undeniable as we listened to their rendition of 'When the Levee Breaks', a tune steeped in history yet refreshingly re-imagined by a myriad of artists from every corner of the globe. Imagine a symphony of musicians, including Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, and even John Paul Jones, united in a cause to end racism and advocate for unity. It's a powerful reminder that while age might bring out our inner irritable bastard, music has the might to mend walls and celebrate our collective spirit. So, tune in and get ready to nod in agreement—and maybe tap your feet a little—as we explore the intricate dance between the trials of aging and the triumphs of music.

Transcript

Blade: 0:00

Grumpy Old man syndrome is a term used to describe a set of symptoms that some men experience as they age, usually in man over 45. It is also known as irritable bastard syndrome or andropause. The symptoms of grumpy old man include irritability, anger, loss of confidence, loss of vitality, depression, reduced mental effectiveness and hot sweats. It is important to note that these symptoms can also be caused by other underlying conditions, such as get off my lawn condition. If you are someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment. Well, I don't really want to watch the funny video on your phone. I don't really want to see anything on your phone, and most of that is because I can't see, you know, and it's just a little screen and it's like people make you look at their phone. It's like you're being held hostage, like you have to, and you want to say and no one's ever said this in the history of cell phones no, I don't want to see your video. You know, and I think it every single time someone does that to me, and I want one day and the day is getting closer and closer to the day that I become the first in history to do it. I'm saying no, no, no, I don't want to see it, and then I'll walk off. Yeah, it's just, you know, everybody that you see that is going through that says, oh okay, you know, and they're all real cool about it and generally I am too when people maybe do people make me do this, but you know, nine times out of ten it's like oh wait, a minute, here it is. It's funny, it really is funny. You've got to see this. It's so hilarious and and I know it's long, but it but it's worth it they say, and then the link won't fire up and then you're sitting there looking at the sky, thinking about all the other things you could do. And what spurred this irritable bastard syndrome episode today is a guy takes his phone and says you got to see this and he's thinking about buying a house and it's the floor, it's the floor plan of his. Who wants to see that? Seeing it as one thing, and then who wants to sit through the explanation of a floor plan? Yeah, it's irritable bastard syndrome. I don't want to see your funny video on your phone now. That being said, I've got to show you this video because it's the greatest video, the best video you've ever seen. You have to see it now. The difference between me and someone in the shoves their cell phone in your face is that you can leave now if you want to. I'm not holding you hostage. You've chosen to watch and you can leave.

Blade: 2:57

But it's this video of these people and there's a website of it, and I just stumbled across these on YouTube and it's called playing for change, and these producers and these people have assembled a worldwide organization of musicians, and I'm talking about musicians from South Africa to Oslo, norway to Ragevick, iceland to Alberta, canada to Los Angeles, california to Mexico City, mexico to Rio de Janeiro, brazil, all over the world, and these playing for change people pick a song and all of these musicians play it from all over the world at the same time. It's incredible. It is playing for change means ending racism, which is a fantastic cause. They want everybody to be one race, you know, and and the concept is just amazing, and so this is just one particular one. I'm a member of their site, playing for change, and it's when the levy breaks, the Zeppelin song.

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Now Zeppelin gets credit for writing the song, but they didn't. Of course, you know Zeppelin is. They lovingly adapt blues versions of songs. And when the levy breaks was really a song written by Memphis Mini and Kansas Joe, and it's a true story about the flooding of the Mississippi River in 1929. But look at all the artists on this video and I've got to say my favorite is Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks. Watch them. John Paul Jones is on this video. No less unbelievable Susan Tedeschi, derek Trucks, john Paul Jones and many others from around the world that mean oh levy, crying won't help and praying won't do you know? Good now, I just happened to find a recording of the original when the levy breaks from the Zeppelin. Check this Kansas Joe out on the guitar playing that he does. It's no wonder everybody in the world adapts their rock music from the blacks, from black music from the back porch of the Mississippi Delta. We talk about all the famous guitar players. Now that, friends, kansas Joe is a guitar player.