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Lifeline Extended [Live]
Editorial Reviews
Green Man Review, 2002
"Very nice…A fine example of a live concert with the spirit and atmosphere of the night."
Product Description
When Holly Near and Ronnie Gilbert united for a series of concerts at San Francisco's Great American Music Hall in 1983, it was an historic intersection between two generations of fearless topical folksingers and songwriters. The collaboration between Gilbert (a former member of The Weavers) and Near (a peace activist and feminist music pioneer) sent a wave of excitement through the folk/peace/feminist circles in the US. These women voiced the work, faith, humor and complexities of the social change movement afoot.
The weekend of shows was recorded and distilled into "Lifeline," which subsequently became one of Near's best-selling records and a milestone in contemporary folk and women's music. Reissued by Appleseed and retitled "Lifeline Extended," the original 16 songs on "Lifeline" expand into a remastered 2-CD set - 23 songs plus the inclusion of some wonderful onstage banter. The material, carefully retrieved from the deteriorating master tapes, includes Weavers' standards like "Goodnight Irene" and "Pastures of Plenty" as well as Near originals that have become anthems for the left, such as "No More Genocide" and "Singing for Our Lives." Near and Gilbert also honor other political songwriters, performing "Biko" by Sweet Honey in the Rock founder Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon; "Two Good Arms," Charlie King's song about the martyred Sacco and Vanzetti, "Kid's Song" by Ferron, and more. In keeping with their mutual theatrical roots, Holly and Ronnie break out of any traditional definition of folk music by including a surprising and delightful array of show tunes and pop standards, including "Stormy Weather," "Come Rain or Come Shine" and "Lucky to Be Me." Ronnie performs a brilliant character piece entitled "Chairman of the Board," which, coupled with Holly's haunting version of Brecht/Weill's "Army Song" from "The Three Penny Opera," leaves the audience in a chilled, breathless silence.
Lifeline Extended [Live]
Lifeline Extended,Holly Near & Ronnie Gilbert,Appleseed Records,Expanded and remastered 2-CD edition of classic 1983 "Lifeline" album by these giants of women's and topical music; "A virtual history of the music of leftist folk" - All Music Guide,Folk,Folk & Traditional,Pop
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Lifeline Extended
Holly Near , and Ronnie Gilbert Manufacturer: Appleseed Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD  General
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Traditional Folk
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ASIN: B00006GOEP Release Date: 2002-09-24 |
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Album Description
When Holly Near and Ronnie Gilbert united for a series of concerts at San Francisco's Great American Music Hall in 1983, it was an historic intersection between two generations of fearless topical folksingers and songwriters. The collaboration between Gilbert (a former member of The Weavers) and Near (a peace activist and feminist music pioneer) sent a wave of excitement through the folk/peace/feminist circles in the US. These women voiced the work, faith, humor and complexities of the social change movement afoot.The weekend of shows was recorded and distilled into "Lifeline," which subsequently became one of Near's best-selling records and a milestone in contemporary folk and women's music. Reissued by Appleseed and retitled "Lifeline Extended," the original 16 songs on "Lifeline" expand into a remastered 2-CD set - 23 songs plus the inclusion of some wonderful onstage banter. The material, carefully retrieved from the deteriorating master tapes, includes Weavers' standards like "Goodnight Irene" and "Pastures of Plenty" as well as Near originals that have become anthems for the left, such as "No More Genocide" and "Singing for Our Lives." Near and Gilbert also honor other political songwriters, performing "Biko" by Sweet Honey in the Rock founder Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon; "Two Good Arms," Charlie King's song about the martyred Sacco and Vanzetti, "Kid's Song" by Ferron, and more. In keeping with their mutual theatrical roots, Holly and Ronnie break out of any traditional definition of folk music by including a surprising and delightful array of show tunes and pop standards, including "Stormy Weather," "Come Rain or Come Shine" and "Lucky to Be Me." Ronnie performs a brilliant character piece entitled "Chairman of the Board," which, coupled with Holly's haunting version of Brecht/Weill's "Army Song" from "The Three Penny Opera," leaves the audience in a chilled, breathless silence.
Customer Reviews:
An Absolute Treasure..........2005-04-26
Astonishing.......2004-03-22
A great performance, a great recording and a great reissue........2002-12-01
My cherished copy of this on LP hasn't been available for years. This 2-CD set improves on the LP in every way.
What I can't get over, listening to this music again, is what a really, REALLY exceptional performance it is. When Pete Seeger and Arlo Guthrie sing "together" (to take another intergenerational pair) I always have the felt that the collaboration is casual and perhaps not very intensively rehearsed.
But when Holly Near and Ronnie Gilbert sing, I hear two very accomplished singers with two strong voices, completely different in sound, yet blending perfectly... just singing their hearts out, holding nothing back, and perfectly _in tune_ both musically and emotionally.
The live recording captures the excitement and involvement of the moment, and the intense, sincere cheering and applauding of the mostly-female audience.
Wow.
The original LP, which hasn't been available for years, contained a total of 15 tracks running 53 minutes. This 2 CD-set contains of 23 tracks and 88 minutes of music. The CD includes nine tracks which did not appear on the LP, every one a worthy addition: "Starting Out Fine," "The Right Time," "Kid's Song," "Women's Medley," "I Cried," "Lucky To Be Me," "Army Song/Chairman of the Board," "Family Promise," and "Singing With You." One song on the LP, "Gracias A La Vida", is omitted from the CD.
It is especially good to have Ronnie Gilbert's "Army Song." The song is from Brecht and Weill's _The Threepenny Opera_ but the track is actually a short theatrical monologue which, as I write this, seems regrettably apropos.
I played this for the first time on my car player, and track 5, "Two Good Arms," happened to be playing just as I passed the dome of the courthouse in Dedham where Sacco and Vanzetti received their unfair trail. Perhaps I unconsciously knew this when I put the CD in, but I'll take my synchronicity where I can find it: it was very moving.
"Hay Una Mujer Desaparecida" sent shivers down my spine. "Harriet Tubman" made me want to stand up and cheer. "The Activity Room" is just plain _nice_.
I am glad the lifeline of this recording has been extended, and I wish a happy and "extended lifeline" to Holly Near, Ronnie Gilbert, and everyone who captured this wonderful moment, first in vinyl and now in polycarbonate.
Music Review:
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