In this second instalment of their exploration of musical activism, Janis Siegel and Yusuf Gandhi travel far beyond the United States to examine how artists around the world have used music to confront injustice, challenge authority, and inspire change. From the voices of Latin America and South Africa to contemporary movements in Iran, Russia, China, and beyond, the episode highlights musicians whose songs became powerful acts of resistance.

Along the way, they uncover stories of courage, exile, censorship, and sacrifice, while celebrating the enduring ability of music to unite people across cultures and borders. These artists may have come from different countries and traditions, but they shared a common belief: that a song can be far more than entertainment — it can be a force for freedom and justice.

Music in this podcast

Mercedes Sosa (ARGENTINA) - Duermo Negrito

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR9AJwjZeIg

Violeta Parra (CHILE) - Miren Como Sonrien

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2ldR1EvhG0   

Victor Jara (CHILE) - Manifesto

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj-3mpjDC8M 

Miriam Makeba/Hugh Masekela (S. AFRICA ) Soweto Blues

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kHtWuVwZSs  

Rana Mansour (IRAN) - Beraye (composed by Sherwin Hajipour)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX0OumECPOk  

Pussy Riot (RUSSIA) - Chaika

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VakUHHUSdf8  

Sinéad O’ Connor (IRELAND) - Famine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyLnbjtBLX4  

Cui Jian (CHINA) No More Disguises

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yao6f0QIgA  

Fela Kuti (NIGERIA) - Beasts of No Nation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0BhNPiq78k  

Bob Marley (JAMAICA) - Redemption Song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZpxaeICYyg

Ep 8 | Unify Playlist additional songs

Alicia Keys and Angelique Kidjo perform “Afrika” at Mandela Day 2009 from Radio City Music Hall

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThdXkwu42aw 

Mercedes Sosa, Chico Buarque, Caetano Veloso, Milton Nascimento e Gal Costa - Volver a los 17 (composed by Violetta Para)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krEMw8E5ZAg 

Joan Baez & Mercedes Sosa “Gracias A La Vida” (composed by Violetta Para)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMuTXcf3-6A 

Arlo Guthrie - Victor Jara (composed by Arlo Guthrie & Adrian Mitchell)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vatEqeFmXdQ 

Hugh Masekela - Stimela (Coal Train) - Jazz Day 2013

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=650IZTWZa50 

Sarafina (Movie) - Funeral Song/Freedom is coming

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTXyh7YPQ9Y 

Papa WemBa - Esclave (Slave)

(A song tribute to Nelson Mandela, comparing struggles of Africans’ slavery around the world, and the struggles of the South Africans during apartheid.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFiNaSTTgeQ 

Shervin Hajipour - Baraye (full version with English lyrics)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0th9_v-BbUI 

“Coldplay” perform Iranian protest song “Baraye” in Buenos Aires featuring “exiled Iranian actor Golshifteh Farahani”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJb3uc1D1D8 

Linton Kwesi Johnson - Sonny’s Lettah

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uvY5qU7ayg 

Bob Marley & The Wailers - Exodus (Lyric Video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSOqWgqwynQ

Sam Cooke - A Change Is Gonna Come {LYRICS}

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrAGbRHxyHs

In this episode, Janis Siegel and Yusuf Gandhi explore the powerful role of music as a force for social change, tracing a lineage of musical activism from early voices like Billie Holiday and Woody Guthrie to the rise of politically charged folk, soul, and hip-hop. Through iconic songs and personal reflections, the hosts examine how artists have challenged injustice, amplified marginalized voices, and shaped cultural movements across generations. Part 1 sets the stage for a journey through music that doesn’t just entertain—but provokes, resists, and inspires.

Music in this podcast:

Billie Holiday - Strange Fruit

Woody Guthrie - Tear the Fascists Down

The Weavers - If I had a Hammer

Joan Baez - Oh, Freedom

Mahalia Jackson - We Shall Overcome

Bob Dylan - Blowin’ In the Wind

Nina Simone - Mississippi Goddam

Marvin Gaye - What’s Going On

Gil Scott-Heron - The Revolution will not be Televised

Grandmaster Flash - The Message

Jesse Welles - Join Ice

Ep 7 | Unify Playlist (additional songs)

Phil Ochs - I Ain’t Marching Anymore

Woody Guthrie - I Ain’t Got No Home/ Old Man Trump

Gil Scott-Heron - We Almost Lost Detroit (No Nukes Concert Live)

Linton Kwesi Johnson - Making History

Boogie Dowh Productions (feat. KRS1) - You Must Learn

Public Enemy - Fight the Power

BDP/Stop The Violence Movement - Self-Destruction

Baby Cham feat. Alicia Keys - Ghetto Story

Bruce Springsteen - Streets of Minneapolis (Live)

Herbie Hancock’s The Imagine Project- Imagine

We continue our journey into the role of music within spiritual traditions—this time turning our focus to India.Beginning with a tribute to the legendary Asha Bhosle, Yusuf Gandhi introduces us to the rich landscape of devotional music across Hindu, Sikh, and other faith practices. From the ancient sounds of Dhrupad in temple spaces to the evolution of Khayal under Mughal influence, the episode traces how music moves across time, culture, and belief. We travel through bhajans, kirtans, and Shabads, and across regions—from North to South India—before stepping outward into global parallels, from Indonesian gamelan to Rastafarian music.At its heart, this episode is a reminder: while traditions may differ, music continues to connect, transcend, and unify.

Music in this podcast:

Mere Sahib, Mere Sahib - Asha Bhosle

Shiva Shiva - Wasifuddin Khan Dagar

Raghupati Raghava Rajaram

Nirbhay Nirguna - Kumar Gandharva

Giriraj Sudha - Remember Shakti

Nadaswaram in Temple

Kerala Drums in Temples

Gamelan Music

One Love - Bob Marley

Episode 6 | Unify Playlist on YouTube

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan : his collaborations with music and musicians from around the world, as well as nurturing and educating his sons and grandchildren to preserve and cement his legacy.

Music in this podcast

Raga Celebration Sarod Maestro - Amjad Ali Khan - Raga Durga

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan : his collaborations with music and musicians from around the world, as well as nurturing and educating his sons and grandchildren to preserve and cement his legacy.

Last month when I was in India I had the pleasure of meeting and conversing with one of the greatest Indian classical musicians of our time - Sarod Maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan.

Khansaheb as I respectfully call him spoke to me extensively and freely about his life, his music, his instrument and his collaborations with some of the most revered musicians around the world. The interview lasted a little under 1.5 hours.

As our next special episode on Music: The Unifying Force, we are honoured to present this episode in its entirety. However, being apprehensive of your schedules and your time we have divided the episode into 3 parts. You may binge-watch and hear the entire interview in one go which is recommended if possible. Or you may listen to the 3 parts separately as your time permits.

This first part features Ustad Amjad Ali Khan’s childhood and his nurturing in his instrument and the music under the tutelage of his guru and father Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan.

The second part features Ustad Amjad Ali Khan’s collaborations with music and musicians from around the world and the respect and empathy that musicians have for each other’s cultures and customs.

Part three features Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and his instrument the sarod, the uniqueness of its techniques, the intricacies of its tonal qualities and its relationship to other stringed instruments.

We hope you enjoy this special Episode. Our next Episode with my beloved co-host Janis Siegel and myself will continue with the second part of the Episode: ONE WORLD: FAITH IN MUSIC. It will be released in the next couple of weeks.

We welcome your comments and suggestions.

Thank you for your support,

Yusuf Gandhi

Music in this Episode

Sadhana - film by Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia’s Vrindavan Gurukul

Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan last interview with Amjad Ali Khan

Early Recording of Raag Marwa. Pt. Bhimsen Joshi.

Library Sessions (recorded at Saroj Ghar) Raga Chayanat

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan performing Gujarari Todi in Calcutta:

Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan - Raga Darbari Kanada

Tarana in Raga Tilang in 9 1/2 Beats Time Cycle

Lalgudi Jayaraman (Carnatic violin) and Ustad Amjad Ali Khan (Hindustani sarod)

One World: Faith in MusicMusic: The Unifying Force

With Yusuf Gandhi & Janis Siegel

In this episode, Yusuf Gandhi and Janis Siegel explore how sacred music across cultures expresses a shared human longing for the divine. From Gregorian chant and gospel to Jewish liturgical traditions, Sufi devotion, and Qawwali, they reveal how different faiths use music for meditation, celebration, transcendence, and community.

Despite differences in language, geography, and theology, the spiritual intention behind the music is strikingly universal.

Episode Breakdown:

Christianity: From Stillness to Spirit

Gregorian Chant (Meditation & Liturgy)

Monophonic, Latin-based sacred chant

Rooted in early Christian worship

Designed for reflection and reverence

Excerpt Played:

Gregorian chant (performed by nuns)

Gospel (Community & Transcendence)

Gospel evolved from Negro spirituals and the African American church tradition. It emphasizes participation, rhythm, and emotional expression.

Excerpts Played:

Sam Cooke – “Touch the Hem of His Garment”

Institutional Church of God in Christ – “A Little More Grace”

Soweto Gospel Choir – “Mighty God”

Referenced:

Aretha Franklin – “Amazing Grace”

Mahalia Jackson

Yusuf shares his experience attending Black churches in the U.S., discovering how clapping and call-and-response are central to worship, not performance.

Jewish Sacred Traditions

Sephardic / Ladino (Flamenco Influence & Heritage)

Music of Jews expelled from Spain, blending Hebrew, Spanish, and Middle Eastern tonalities.

Excerpts Played:

Yasmin Levy – “Hallelujah” (Ladino version)

Yasmin Levy – “Yigdal”

Ashkenazi / Klezmer (Celebration & Dance)

Eastern European Jewish tradition known for expressive melodies and rhythmic drive.

Excerpt Played:

The Klezmatics – “Oy Oy Oy Oy”

Sufi Devotional Music (Mysticism & Ecstasy)

Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam, uses music as a path to divine remembrance.

Morocco

Excerpt Played:

Fehd Benchemsi – Issawa(Inspired by the Issawa Brotherhood tradition)

Yusuf reflects on attending the Fez Festival of Sacred Music and witnessing the powerful communal energy of Sufi choirs.

Turkey

Excerpt Played:

Sufi Whirling Dervishes – Turkey

Music accompanies devotional spinning, a meditative path toward transcendence.

Pakistan & Qawwali

Call-and-response devotional singing performed at shrines and festivals.

Excerpts Played:

Sain Zahoor – “Allah Hoo”

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan – “Mast Qalander”

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan helped bring Qawwali to global audiences, demonstrating how sacred traditions travel across cultures.

Key Themes:

- Across traditions, the hosts highlight shared elements:

- Call and response

- Repetition and rhythm

- Community participation

- Emotional intensity

- Devotion to a higher power

Different faiths. Different sounds.One shared spiritual impulse.

Visit the show’s website for the full Unify Playlist with all featured tracks and additional recommendations.

In this episode of Music: The Unifying Force, Janis Siegel and Yusuf Gandhi explore the blues and gospel as a global language of emotion. Moving from early American blues and gospel to Indian ghazals, Sufi qawwali, African choral traditions, and desert blues from North Africa, they trace shared musical structures like call-and-response, harmony, and storytelling. Along the way, they reflect on legendary artists, sacred spaces, and lived experiences that show how music transcends culture, religion, and history—proving that while the sounds may change, the feeling remains the same.

Songs in the Podcast

MARY LOU WILLIAMS: THE RAG OF RAGS

BESSIE SMITH: NOBODY KNOWS YOU WHEN YOU’RE DOWN AND OUT.

PLAY ROBERT JOHNSON – CROSSROADS

THE DIXIE HUMMINGBIRDS – BEDSIDE OF A NEIGHBOUR

THE GOLDEN GATE QUARTET – ATOM AND EVIL

SAM COOKE AND THE SOUL STIRRERS – TOUCH THE HEM OF HIS GARMENT

BIG MAMA THORNTON - HOUND DOG

NDLOVU YOUTH CHOIR - BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY

PETER GABRIEL, JOAN OSBORNE, GLORIA ESTEFAN, NATALIE MERCHANT, NUSRAT FATEH ALI KHAN

For a deeper dive, visit www.musictheunifyingforce.com to explore playlists, links, and more insights into the stories behind the music.Listen Now on Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music | YouTube

In this episode, Janis Siegel and Yusuf Gandhi explore how African musical traditions shaped American blues, ragtime, and early jazz - revealing how syncopation, improvisation, and shared curiosity for music created unlikely bridges between cultures.

Songs in the Podcast:

SOLOMON LINDA & THE EVENING BIRDS - MBUBE ( 0:10 to 0:38)

TOM TURPIN HARLEM RAG (in the Podcast)

JELLYROLL MORTON THE CRAVE (In the podcast)

KING OLIVER’S DIPPERMOUTH BLUES (In the podcast)

FLETCHER HENDERSON SUARFOOT STOMP (In the podcast)

SARA TAVARES - BOM FEELING {In the podcast)

Suggested Additional Listening:

SCOTT JOPLIN THE ENTERTAINER

MANHATTAN TRANSFER - DOWN SOUTH CAMP MEETING (Composed by FLETCHER HENDERSON - LYRICS: JON HENDRICKS)

LOUIS ARMSTRONG WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN

LOUIS ARMSTRONG DINAH (1:00 to 1:28)

JENNI RIVERA MIRA ME

In this episode, Yusuf Gandhi and Janis Siegel take us on a journey through the rich history of American music, tracing its roots from the songs of enslaved Africans to the global influence of jazz, blues, gospel, rock, and beyond. They explore how music in America evolved through the fusion of African, European, and Indigenous traditions, highlighting key figures like Scott Joplin, Lead Belly, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and Big Mama Thornton.

Yusuf and Janis discuss the cross-pollination of styles from Cape Verdean Coladeira to Brazilian Bossa Nova and how these influences traveled across continents, inspiring artists like Lonnie Donegan, The Beatles, and J. Cole. They also touch on the importance of understanding the cultural and historical context of music, emphasizing active listening as a way to truly appreciate its depth.

This episode features discussions on:

* The African roots of American music and the role of slavery in shaping blues, gospel, and R&B

* Key early American musicians and their lasting influence on popular music

* The journey of songs like Cotton Fields and The Lion Sleeps Tonight across cultures

* How folk music, rock & roll, and gospel contributed to the evolution of modern music

* The fusion of world music with American styles, and why understanding origins matters

Artists, Songs & Key Figures Mentioned in the Episode:

* Sara Tavares (Cape Verdean singer-songwriter)

* “Balancê”

* “Bom Feeling”

* Scott Joplin

* “Maple Leaf Rag”

* Lead Belly (born Huddie Ledbetter)

* “Cotton Fields”

* Solomon Linda & the Evening Birds

* “Mbube”

* The Weavers / Pete Seeger

* “Wimoweh”

* The Tokens

* “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”

You could also listen to COTTON FIELDS and other career spanning LEAD BELLY recordings on the Smithsonian Folkways Collection”:http://www.folkways.si.edu/leadbelly

For a deeper dive, visit www.musictheunifyingforce.com to explore playlists, links, and more insights into the stories behind the music.

Listen Now on Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music | YouTube

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