concert_goer (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
concert_goer) wrote2025-02-14 09:27 pm
concert_goer) wrote2025-02-14 09:27 pm
Various Artists — Sing Out! (1981) @@@+
This acoustic music festival took place at the Berkeley Community Theater in Berkeley, CA, on April 25, 1981. Organized as a benefit for the Seva Foundation by Wavy Gravy — who also served as the event's host — it was entirely recorded by Owsley "Bear" Stanley, who would relocate from California to Australia the following year.
The concert opened with a solo performance by Country Joe McDonald. His energetic set featured the brilliant, sci-fi-infused folk song Picks and Lasers, about a guy mining ore on Mars. He also delivered Slide Trombone Blues, showcasing his skills on the trombone, and, of course, the legendary Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-to-Die Rag, complete with a raucous "fuck cheer" aimed at Ronald Reagan — a rousing way to kick off the day.
Next up was folk singer Rosalie Sorrels, accompanied by guitarist Mitch Greenhill. Her performance was engaging, though the cabaret-style vocals may not have been to everyone's taste. Among other songs, she performed You've Got to Go to Sleep Alone by Jimmie Dale Gilmore and I Remember Loving You by Utah Phillips, both of which resonated well.
This concluded the first disc of the three-CD edition. The second disc opens with Kate Wolf, supported by Nina Gerber on guitar and mandolin, and Ford James on bass. Their performance was truly exceptional — great songs, a commanding voice, and masterful instrumental work. Kate delivered a stunning rendition of The Youngbloods' classic Let's Get Together, with Wavy Gravy joining in.
The recording then shifts to a largely forgettable 20-minute percussion set by Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann, followed by the arrival of Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir — essentially a stripped-down Grateful Dead lineup, sans Phil Lesh and Brent Mydland. John Kahn of the Jerry Garcia Band stepped in on upright bass. Their set featured several traditional numbers, a beautifully understated Friend of the Devil, Marty Robbins' El Paso, which shone in the acoustic setting, and a rare rendition of Oh Boy! — a stellar performance overall.
The festival closed with Odetta. Although her set was recorded, negotiations with her estate prevented its inclusion in this release — a real shame, as it was considered one of the standout moments of the event. To ensure she wasn't overlooked, the organizers included a full article in the booklet about the performance.
Overall, it was a good day with a number of memorable acts.
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it's a real shame about Odetta.
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