Last week, over 200 artists participated in the Peace Through Music webcast event for Playing For Change. Among the many artists who participated were Jim James, Nathaniel Rateliff, Keb’ Mo’, and Shemekia Copeland who collaborated on a cover of John Prine‘s “I Remember Everything”.
Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, Peace Through Music served as a fundraiser benefitting the Playing For Change Foundation, United Nations Population Fund, Sankofa, Silkroad, and The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation.
Related: Nathaniel Rateliff Shares Solo Single “Redemption” From ‘Palmer’ Soundtrack [Listen]
Even before the song starts, the mere choice of “I Remember Everything” is an emotionally heavy song. The song was released posthumously by Prine’s estate on June 11th and is supposedly the last song he wrote before his death from COVID-19. Fittingly, it finds a reflective Prine staring out the rearview mirror at a life well lived and a road well remembered.
For their part, the performing musicians deliver the song with reverence beginning with Rateliff. From there he passes the vocal baton to Copeland where it makes its way around the gamut to Mo’ and James before the unexpected arrival of Prine himself. With video taken from the song’s initial June release showing Prine performing in his living room, the cover comes to an emotional climax leaving not a dry eye in the house.
Watch Jim James, Nathaniel Rateliff, Keb’ Mo’, and Shemekia Copeland cover John Prine’s “I Remember Everything” from the Peace Through Music stream. The full Peace Through Music webcast is available on YouTube through December 31st.
Jim James, Nathaniel Rateliff, Keb’ Mo’, Shemekia Copeland – “I Remember Everything” (John Prine)
[Video: John Prine]
Peace Through Music: A Global Event for Social Justice | 200+ Musicians Unite for Peace
[Video: Playing For Change]
On Saturday, December 26th, Nathaniel Rateliff will perform alongside 40+ other artists as part of Georgia Comes Alive, a one-day virtual music festival aimed at promoting voter participation in the upcoming Georgia runoff elections by supporting local grassroots organizations, Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda and CivicGeorgia. Donate any amount to the cause GeorgiaComesAlive.com to receive a stream link on the day of the show (12/26). You can also enter to win exclusive prizes from GCA artists like a guitar signed and played by Bob Weir here. See below for a full list of performers.
