Music: The Unifying Force

Ep 7 | Music: The Soul of Peaceful Activism & Justice: Part 1 (USA)

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 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbcZstt8ACY] Woody Guthrie - Tear the Fascists Down [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOqGU1F-U7A] The Weavers - If I had a Hammer [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSUsyzUFcKs] Joan Baez - Oh, Freedom [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaWmg658bFw] Mahalia Jackson - We Shall Overcome [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W02hDYBcqU] Bob Dylan - Blowin’ In the Wind [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWwgrjjIMXA] Nina Simone - Mississippi Goddam [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBiAtwQZnHs] Marvin Gaye - What’s Going On [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo-5MI9-yjU] Gil Scott-Heron - The Revolution will not be Televised [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwSRqaZGsPw] Grandmaster Flash - The Message [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PobrSpMwKk4] Jesse Welles - Join Ice [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61I4hlig78w] Ep 7 | Unify Playlist (additional songs) Phil Ochs - I Ain’t Marching Anymore [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rVTBCtYjoY] Woody Guthrie - I Ain’t Got No Home/ Old Man Trump [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbbNH3KTB_I] Gil Scott-Heron - We Almost Lost Detroit (No Nukes Concert Live) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01WRqq-ubsU] Linton Kwesi Johnson - Making History [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtVkLVOP9cU] Boogie Dowh Productions (feat. KRS1) - You Must Learn [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78gslUjRV9k] Public Enemy - Fight the Power [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmo3HFa2vjg] BDP/Stop The Violence Movement - Self-Destruction [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmX5TgWsfEQ] Baby Cham feat. Alicia Keys - Ghetto Story [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loPRsrqrDXc] Bruce Springsteen - Streets of Minneapolis (Live) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zNDYlMVVUM] Herbie Hancock’s The Imagine Project- Imagine [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVAQl7qq-aI] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit musictheunifyingforce.substack.com [https://musictheunifyingforce.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Ep 6 | One World: Faith in Music (Vol 2)

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 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2SJd5CWvjs] Shiva Shiva - Wasifuddin Khan Dagar [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoddkpEprqY] Raghupati Raghava Rajaram [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gtfufkz68KM] Nirbhay Nirguna - Kumar Gandharva [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1tXJu-1O8U] Giriraj Sudha - Remember Shakti [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGXcoDlhmoY] Nadaswaram in Temple [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rObB8Eaqgdw] Kerala Drums in Temples [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTTI7BgIwbA] Gamelan Music [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEWCCSuHsuQ] One Love - Bob Marley [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqmMdI7KchI] Episode 6 | Unify Playlist on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnpn7KN1vgS1ediekdp79ldmMi_3ob_UC] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit musictheunifyingforce.substack.com [https://musictheunifyingforce.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Special Episode: One-on-one interview with Sarod Maestro Amjad Ali Khan | Part 3

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 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit musictheunifyingforce.substack.com [https://musictheunifyingforce.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Special Episode: One-on-one interview with Sarod Maestro Amjad Ali Khan | Part 2

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. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit musictheunifyingforce.substack.com [https://musictheunifyingforce.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Special Episode: One-on-one interview with Sarod Maestro Amjad Ali Khan | Part 1

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) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit musictheunifyingforce.substack.com [https://musictheunifyingforce.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]