An instrumental version of Tom Waits song “Innocent When You Dream” was recorded by Waits for a player piano which is situated in the lobby of Banksy’s Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem in the West Bank. The piano plays the instrumental version on its own and appears as Banksy’s latest project.
Banksy’s Walled Off Hotel is both a functioning hotel and an immersive art piece and is located by the wall that separates Palestine and Israel marks the 100 year anniversary of Britain’s colonization of Palestine.
Waits is following the footsteps of other musicians by contributing with Banksy, Trent Reznor, Elton John, Hans Zimmer and Massive Attacks 3D have shared their musical talents to the artist’s art projects. Though Waits didn’t share an entire new piece for the project but he did unveil a new instrumental version of a fan favorite.
Waits shares the video of the player piano today through social media by posting it on Facebook for fans to see. With the video, Waits also shared a brief message to go along with it.
“Tom Waits recorded an instrumental version of his well known song, “Innocent When You Dream” for the player piano in the lobby of artist Banksy’s Walled Off Hotel, which is located in the shadow of the wall separating Palestine from Israel. To mark the 100 year anniversary of Britain’s former colonization of Palestine and its disastrous consequences, Banksy has mixed opulence and dystopia with his desire to highlight the daily lives and art of Palestinians. The Irish are no strangers to strife and division, and Waits selected this Irish tinged waltz because of its lyrical and wistful mix of regret and dreams for a world without walls.”
A message was previously posted on Banksy’s official site that states, “2017 marks a hundred years since the British took control of Palestine and helped kick start a Century of confusion and conflict.” As a result, his art project has been running all year in a West Bank hotel.
This isn’t the only time that Waits has addressed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He recorded the song “Road To Peace,” a song that came from his 2006 collection. Lyrics from the song specifically address a spate of violence that erupted in 2003.
The song, “Innocent When You Dream” originally appeared on Tom Waits 1987s Franks Wild Years. Waits previously announced a massive reissue campaign and fans can learn more about the upcoming reissue here.
Watch the video for the project below.
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