Moses told the scouts to go up and “…see what kind of country it is. Are the people who dwell in it strong or weak, few or many? Is the country in which they dwell good or bad? Are the towns they live in open or fortified? Is the soil rich or poor? Is it wooded or not? And take pains to bring back some of the fruit of the land.” — Numbers 13:18-25
The video below is part of an attempt to “scout out the land” and prompt consideration of what kind of questions we ask about a place that is new to us, and why.
Note to Tzedek Chicago Torah Study participants — you’re welcome to check it out in advance, but I plan to include this in our exploration of parashat Shelach on June 29. To all: maybe I’ll post something more about the actual portion; maybe not.
Video takes a bit to load — also here is link that might work more smoothly.
TEXT used in video The video displays some words, including song lyrics, and that is also available in separate document for anyone who prefers to read in this form. Text of June 29 commentary video (PDF).
200 The USIA film at National Archives (a little more info below, but I cannot find a link to the original music used). NOTE: Video is full of LOTS OF STRONG STROBING
200+ with US Blues The video posted by @LongStrangeTrip710 incorporates the 1973 studio version, from Mars Hotel, of “US Blues.” NOTE: video includes the original film, which contains lots of STRONG strobing.
US BLUES Here’s a link to the lyrics at Dead net. Plenty of performances by (Grateful) Dead and friends available on YouTube, etc.
More Credits/Info
I think this is all the credits, but let me know if I missed something. No full, frame-by-frame image-description for the video, however here’s a summary: Still images from a 1975 “psychedelic” film made as USIA propaganda for 1976 US Bicentennial; includes video performances from Fifth Dimension, Gil Scott-Heron, and Rhiannon Giddens with Paul Simon, plus audio from Chocolate City and some other music. Includes quotes from Numbers 13.
200 The USIA film at National Archives and more about the Bicentennial film project. Slightly more about work of Vince Collins at IMDB.
AQUARIUS “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” was part of “Hair” and released on the 1969 Age of Aquarius album by the Fifth Dimension (Basic information). The video shown came without much explanation from an “Oldies” music channel.
CHOCOLATE CITY Lyrics, credits, and slightly more background for “Chocolate City” and George Clinton’s website.
WHITEY ON THE MOON Two performances by Gil Scott-Heron included: 1970 “Small Talk at 125th and Lenox” album, Flying Dutchman Records, and 1982 “Black Max,” widely available on on internet, although not sure about ownership and don’t know if it’s streamed anywhere; if DVD is an option, try your local library. (Basic info general Wiki and filmmaker’s page) See also this image , from 5783 Shavuot teaching on “faces,” with some words and images from Gil Scott-Heron.
RIVERS/DC Tunes “Conversations Toward Repair” (We Act Radio) page includes credits for Roberta Flack’s “River” and Brent Peterson’s “Clean Rivers.” A brief clip from Rare Essence’s “Don’t Mute DC” was later included in regular intro music.
AMERICAN TUNE Paul Simon, 1973 “There Goes Rhymin’ Simon” Columbia Records (1973 lyrics). Note that the author changed the lyrics in recent years. Brief Billboard note about 2022 Grammy performance with Rhiannon Giddens, for “Homeward Bound: a Grammy salute to the songs of Paul Simon.” In summer 2022, Rolling Stone credited Giddens with changing the lyrics, but Giddens stresses that Simon made the change.
“It’s also very important to say that Paul changed the lyrics, not me – and this song has become one that is so dear to my heart for its ability to say what I have been feeling for a long time.” — July 28, 2022 — @RhiannonGiddens on X
"A Song Every Day" 
Your knowledge of American music is wide and deep. Thank you.