Now Hear This: Various Artists - “Ripple”
This ain’t your Deadhead daddy’s “Ripple.”
The Playing for Change Foundation - “created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music,” per its website - recruited musicians from across the globe to record a moving rendition of Grateful Dead’s “Ripple” that brings the song’s innate poignancy to the fore.
The four-minute video features known and unknown musicians - David Hidalgo, David Crosby and Jimmy Buffet, taped individually in separate outdoor locales, handle lead vocals and guitars; and that’s Bill Kreutzmann on drums - collaborating on the Dead classic from such exotic locations as South Africa, Congo, Italy, Israel, Ghana and other countries.
Several U.S. cities are represented, including Chicago and L.A. Viewers get to meet Washboard Chaz from New Orleans along with other professional and amateur musicians on the video, which is dedicated to Jerry Garcia.
Children’s choirs, string quartets, talking drums, accordion and a slew of other instruments add to the mix, giving this paragon of Americana a world-music flavor that’s oh, so sweet.
There are a couple of eye-popping surprises, so watch closely and listen often. This is one version of “Ripple” you don’t want to miss.
For more on the Playing for Change Foundation, check its website at playingforchange.com.