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More artists for Rupert Hine’s ‘Songs for Tibet II’ to be announced in coming weeks

By Jon Blistein, June 17, 2015, Rolling Stone Magazine

Sting, Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush and Elbow will contribute tracks to the Art of Peace Foundation‘s Songs for Tibet II, a tribute album celebrating the Dalai Lama’s philosophy of peace, non-violence and compassion — as well as His Holiness’s 80th birthday.

The Dalai Lama becomes an octogenarian on July 6th, the same day the LP will see release. It is currently available to pre-order on PledgeMusic in digital and physical forms, as well as part of bundles with 2008’s Songs for Tibet. For $100, fans can have their name placed in a special “Thank You” section of the Songs for Tibet II‘s liner notes.

Organizers say they’ll be announcing a full track list shortly, but tell Rolling Stone that the tracks will be a combination of unreleased versions of previously released songs or new recordings. Proceeds from the album will benefit initiatives designed to spread the teachings of the Dalai Lama, and promote and preserve the culture of Tibet.

While no other participating artists have been announced yet, the original Songs for Tibet featured a number of big name acts including Sting, John Mayer, Dave Matthews, Alanis Morissette, Garbage, Rush, Jackson Brown, Ben Harper, Moby and Regina Spektor. Both LPs were produced and coordinated by songwriter Rupert Hine.

Even on the verge of 80, His Holiness remains an vigorous traveler, speaker, activist and tweeter. During a 2011 interview with Rolling Stone, he addressed his age and whether he was bothered by frequent questions about his death: “No, not at all. In Newark last month, a French journalist raised the issue. I took off my glasses and ask him, ‘According to your judgment of my face, the reincarnation question is rather a hurry or not?’ And he said, ‘No hurry!’”