Playing For Change II: Songs Around The World

Reviewing well-mean¬ing musical projects designed to raise money for worthwhile charities can be a critic’s nightmare. More often than not the music is forgettable, but you don’t want to discourage people from supporting the cause – in this case, the PFC Foundation, which funds music education programmes in developing countries. Well, let’s get the bad news out of the way first. Why anyone should want to hear another schlock version of Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ – even if it features musicians from ten different countries – defies common sense. The same applies to the ‘virtual reality’ duetting of Stephen Marley with his late father Bob on ‘Redemption Song.’ Happily, though, after that things get considerably better. Stevie Wonder’s ‘Higher Ground’ is transformed by Toumani Diabaté’s kora and the guitars of Tinariwen. Baaba Maal and the American bluesman Keb’ Mo recreate the spirit of the famous Ali Farka Touré & Taj Mahal collaboration on a splendid version of Marley’s ‘Three Little Birds.’ Taj himself turns up on a slowed down and funked-up ‘Gimme Shelter’. Carlos Vives and Toto La Momposina lead a massed ensemble of 80 Colombian musicians including a full symphony orchestra on the tropical loveliness of ‘La Teirre del Olvido’ (Land of the Forgotten). Tinariwen are back on the superbly loping ‘Groove in G’, a characteristic Touareg improvisation recorded in Mali and then overdubbed with Keb’ Mo’s slide guitar, blues harmonica, Brazilian berimbau and ancient Indian strings and tablas, to create an inspired global jam. A noble cause, some decent music and a DVD of the project, too – what more could anyone want?