BURMA DAZE
It won’t be long before the democratically elected Aung San Suu Kyi is 64 years old. She remains under house arrest and has been in and out of detention for almost 20 years. This arraignment was last month extended for another year. But in 2005, Michael Stipe of R.E.M. was hopeful Aung San, with international support, would soon walk free. Thankfully, hope is eternal.
R.E.M.
To The People Of Burma… [no label, 2CD]
live at Ardgillan Castle, Dublin, Ireland, June 19, 2005. Live FM broadcast.
Almost three years to the day, R.E.M. decided to play a concert for the world’s only imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Aung San Suu Kyi, of Burma. The concert fell on Aung San’s 60th birthday, June 19. The show was beamed live into Burma. It is not known how many managed to watch or listen to this show.
Now thanks to the internet, it is possible to hear an incomplete version that was broadcast live on Ireland’s 2FM station. It includes all of Michael Stipe’s message to the Burmese people and the three songs R.E.M. dedicated to Aung San:
The Outsiders with the repeated chorus of “I’m not afraid” marking this as a resolve to see Aung San freed.
Find The River is about patience, “The ocean is the river’s goal/ A need to leave the water knows/ We’re closer now than light years to go”.
And finally, World Leader Pretend is from R.E.M.’s Green album. The meaning is evident:
This is my life
And this is my time
I have been given the freedom
To do as I see fit
It’s high time I’ve razed the walls
That I’ve constructed
Is that Mick Mill’s chiming in with “freedom” after each line? At the end of the song, Stipe like his hero Patti Smith, makes his “statement”. He says, “Set HER FREE. Happy birthday Aung San Suu Kyi!”
On that day, three years ago, Stipe said, “To Aung San Suu Kyi, we’re gathered here tonight to join in solidarity with your vision of democracy in Burma. We want to wish you a happy 60th birthday, filled with hope and to say we deeply respect your profound commitment to the people of Burma.
“And we pray with our hearts that by your 61st birthday, you will walk free among your people…”
That day has yet to come. Aung San’s house arrest was extended by another 12 months on May 27. She will likely remain in custody when she reaches her 64th birthday. Aung San has been in and out of prisons for almost 20 years since 1989.
This show was shared by thomas08 who said, “The quality is brilliant and this is a really enjoyable performance. The reason I only put six tracks on the first CD is because the radio station faded out after World Leader Pretend and cut to a commercial.” There are some fades and gaps here and there where a commercial was removed. This show was mixed live as it was being broadcast.
On this night, all the songs seemed moving and involving. That’s the way it always is when a performance is inspired. R.E.M. have not shied away from politics as their support of Barack Obama shows. You couldn’t do worse than to spare a thought for all the victims of injustice on June 19 and to take your own small step to make things better. And then accelerate. - The Savage Hippo
CD1:
1 Leaving New York 4:53
2 Everybody Hurts 6:43
3 Greetings to Aung San Suu Kyi 2:35
4 The Outsiders 4:45
5 Find The River 4:07
6 World Leader Pretend 4:26
CD2:
1 Moon River 00:51
2 Final Straw 4:39
3 Orange Crush 3:59 (volume fluctuation mid-song)
4 Walk Unafraid (tape flip missing a few seconds) 4:45
5 Losing My Religion 4:33
6 Imitation Of Life 3:57
7 The Great Beyond 4:32
8 Suzanne (a few lines) 00:19
9 Electrolite 4:22
10 Me In Honey 4:19
11 Sitting Still 3:48
12 Band intros 4:42
13 I’m Gonna DJ 2:38
14 Man On The Moon 7:05
Click here to download the tracks.
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