New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Judy Collins will re-release her historic rendition of "Amazing Grace" on Friday, May 29. Originally released 50 years ago, her version became a global sensation. It remained on the U.S. charts for 70 weeks, becoming an indelible song in
America during the Vietnam War. For this new version of the recording, Collins will be joined by a choir of singers from across the globe using a new technology. Singers from around the world, both professional and aspiring, are encouraged to join the Global Virtual Choir to sing "Amazing Grace" along with Collins.
All proceeds raised from this single will be going to the World Health Organization Solidarity Response Fund: https://covid19responsefund.org/
"Amazing Grace" has become a source of comfort during these unprecedented times. In the U.K., Judy's version has been played to Charing Cross Hospital and received a swell of emotional outpouring on social media and over 5 millions views (view here). The famed priest of Notting Hill, Pat Allerton AKA @theportablepriest (Instagram) has played her version of the song for his sermons on the streets (view here). Collins' version of the song entered the charts five times in the UK alone between 1970 and 1972.
Says Collins:
"I recorded Amazing
Grace with a group of friends at Saint Paul's Chapel on the Columbia University campus in New York City. When my recording of Amazing
Grace was released it became enormously popular all over the world.
It was written by John Newton in 1772, a man who evolved from a slave ship captain to a writer of powerful hymns, and changed his entire life, becoming a model for spiritual transformation.
That's what we need today once again. Stay safe, help others and pray for the planet. I am sending this song out to all the doctors, nurses and patients. We will survive this with love and music and amazing grace."
Judy Collins embraced "Amazing Grace" in 1964 after she witnessed marchers singing the hymn led by voting and women's rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, and saw its equal emotional impact on the marchers, witnesses, and law enforcement who opposed the civil rights demonstrators. She considered it as a talisman of sorts for peace and started to perform the song in her sets from that point on - it soon became one of her most requested songs when she played live.
Collins recorded "Amazing Grace" for her 1970 album Whales & Nightingales and connected the recording to the Vietnam War, to which she objected. When asked why, Collins explained, "I didn't know what else to do about the war in Vietnam. I had marched, I had voted, I had gone to jail on political actions and worked for the candidates I believed in. The war was still raging. There was nothing left to do, I thought... but sing "Amazing Grace." A sentiment that will ring true with many today.
How does The Global Virtual Choir work?
Between May 14 and May 22, 2020 - amateur and professional singers around the world are invited to visit a bespoke site; Globalvirtualchoir.com where they can chose to learn part A or part B of the song. Use the hashtag #JudyCollinsChoir
Once confident, users record their videos of themselves performing their chosen part along with a guide and backing track of "Amazing Grace" via the website and submit.
Their voice recording will form part of The Global Virtual Choir and the new version of the single which will be available to stream and download from all digital service providers on May 29th. The users submitted video will also form part of a 3D Visualiser Video.
Step 1
Visit the website: globalvirtualchoir.com. Everyone around the world is welcome to participate. For optimal viewing please use CHROME or FIREFOX.
Step 2
Choose the part that you wish to learn.
Step 3
Record your section and submit. You may want to practice a few times before you submit.
Submissions will be open from 5pm BST
Thursday 14th May until 9am BST Friday 22nd May 2020
