I Shall Be Released at Love Rocks NYC A Moment of Soul and Solidarity in New York
On March 9, 2017, the historic Beacon Theatre in New York City hosted the first annual Love Rocks NYC benefit concert, a gathering of acclaimed musicians performing to support the work of God’s Love We Deliver, a nonprofit organization that cooks and home delivers nutritious meals to people living with severe illness and who are unable to shop or cook for themselves. The sold out event brought together rock, soul and gospel artists, and one of the most memorable performances of the night came during a collaborative rendition of I Shall Be Released featuring Jackson Browne, Michael McDonald and The Blind Boys of Alabama.
The song I Shall Be Released, written by Bob Dylan and widely regarded as a plea for freedom and redemption, took on special resonance in the benefit setting. With Jackson Browne at the forefront, his emotive voice carried the lyrical longing for deliverance, complemented by the rich, soulful harmonies of Michael McDonald and the deeply rooted gospel tradition of The Blind Boys of Alabama. The collaboration united artists from different musical backgrounds, blending rock, soul and gospel in a way that underscored the concert’s message of hope and community.
The performance benefited significantly from the strength of the house band and the shared experience of the performers. The Blind Boys of Alabama, a legendary gospel group active since 1939 with multiple Grammy Awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, brought a profound depth of spiritual expression to the song. Their contribution elevated the performance beyond a mere cover, transforming it into a moving moment of collective reflection and uplift.
The Love Rocks NYC concert was conceived as an annual event that celebrates songs of peace, love and hope while raising funds for God’s Love We Deliver. The inaugural show included a wide array of artists across genres, from Joe Walsh and Mavis Staples to Aaron Neville and Derek Trucks, all contributing to a night of varied musical highlights that spanned several hours.
The rendition of I Shall Be Released stood out not only for its emotional power but also for its symbolic fit within the mission of the event. Rather than simply entertaining, the performance connected deeply with the audience, reflecting themes of compassion and solidarity that lie at the heart of the benefit concert. In doing so, it reaffirmed the ability of music to bring people together for a cause greater than the sum of its parts.