ronnie gilbert

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 of two generations of fearless topical folksingers and songwriters. The collaboration between Gilbert (a former member of The Weavers, the group that jumpstarted the folk movement of the Fifties and Sixties) and Near (a global peace activist and feminist music pioneer who was one of the first independent artists to start her own record label) sent a wave of excitement through the peace/feminist movement in the United States. These women voiced the work, faith, humor and complexities of the social change movement in the United States. 
 
     Near’s dedication of an early solo album to Gilbert came at a time when Ronnie had long since retired from singing and was working as an actor and psychotherapist. Hearing that record, Ronnie realized that “here was this woman with a beautiful voice and songs about a woman’s experience that expressed very serious political beliefs with such joy. It reminded me of the kind of emotional expression The Weavers shared.” And it is no wonder – Near grew up listening to The Weavers and knew all of Ronnie’s parts. Invited by Near to rejoin the fray, Gilbert returned to the concert stage, resulting in several national tours, which included a weekend of performances at the Great American Music Hall. That 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. 
     In this powerful reissue, now called Lifeline Extended, the original 16 songs expand to a 2-CD set – 23 songs plus the inclusion of wonderful stage banter. The material, carefully retrieved from the deteriorating live 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.” They also honored other political songwriters, singing “Biko” by Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, founder of Sweet Honey in the Rock; “Two Good Arms,” about Sacco and Vanzetti, by Charlie King; “Kid’s Song” by Ferron; “I Cried” by Ruthie Pelham, and more. A bonus track is included – “Singing with You,”taken from the 1984 live recordings by the all-star folk group HARP (Holly, Arlo Guthrie, Ronnie Gilbert and the iconic Pete Seeger).
     In keeping with their theatrical roots, Holly and Ronnie break out of any traditional definition of folk music and include a surprising and delightful array of pop standards and show tunes, including “Stormy Weather,” “Come Rain or Come Shine,” and “Lucky to Be Me.” Ronnie performs a brilliant character piece called “Chairman of the Board,” coupled with Holly’s haunting version of a Brecht/Weill song from The Three Penny Opera, that leaves the audience in a chilly, breathless silence.
     Lifeline Extended unites two powerful women of our time and offers a vibrant artistic journey through the past, present and future of folk music’s many facets on this bold, ever-relevant and joyous new release.

t r a c k    l i s t
Disc One:
1. Harriet Tubman
2. Si Me Quieres Escribir
3. Pastures of Plenty
4. Beloved Comrade
5. Two Good Arms
6. Biko
7. Isabel
8. Started Out Fine
9. The Right Time
10. No More Genocide
11. Kid’s Song
12. Hay Una Mujer Desaparecida
13. Goodnight Irene
 
Disc Two:
1. Women’s Medley
2. I Cried
3. The Activity Room
4. Perfect Night
5. Lucky to Be Me
6. Stormy Medley
7. Army Song/Chairman of the Board
8. Family Promise
9. Singing for Our Lives
10. Singing with You