I always thought that if one truly were interested in multiculturalism (as in the actual meaning of the word, not as an excuse to enforce diversity quotas on college campuses), one had to look no further than American music.

Case in point: Blind Willie Johnson recorded an old spiritual called “If I Had My Way, I’d Tear This Building Down” back in 1927. Reverend Gary Davis later taught it to Bob Weir, guitarist and sometime vocalist of the Grateful Dead, who first performed the tune as “Samson and Delilah” in 1976. It’s since been covered by the likes of Bruce Springsteen, the Jordanaires, and Shirley Manson.

So what’s that got to do with multiculturalism? Check out the influences—jazz, blues, rock and roll, gospel—in the following versions, and try to tell me American culture, on its own, isn’t already a glorious mosaic:

Here’s the Dead, from their May 28, 1977 concert at the Hartford Civic Center:

[audio:https://helveticka.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/2-06-Samson-and-Delilah.mp3|titles=2-06 Samson and Delilah]

Here’s the David Murray Octet, from the 1996 album Dark Star:

[audio:https://helveticka.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/02-samson-and-delilah.mp3|titles=02 samson and delilah]

And here’s Robert Randolph & The Family Band, from 2010’s We Walk This Road:

[audio:https://helveticka.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/08-If-I-Had-My-Way.mp3|titles=08 If I Had My Way]

posted by: Aaron Bragg  |  category: random thoughts  |  comments(1)