LIVE: A Celebration of the Life & Legacy of Pete Seeger @ The Falcon, 2/22/14
Review and photographs by Rudy Lu
The little Hudson Valley hamlet of Marlboro doubled in size last Saturday night (February 22), when the Falcon hosted “A Celebration of the Life & Legacy of Pete Seeger.” Performers and audience from near and far flocked to “the Village Vanguard” of the Hudson Valley to celebrate Pete Seeger’s life in song and joy. People parked as far away as a half mile away for the event.
Pete was there in spirit and voice. Recordings of Pete telling stories of his life and family – as recorded by producer/musician Jeff Haynes – were played in between songs.
Performers included Happy Traum, David & Jacob Bernz, Kim & Reggie Harris, Jeff Haynes, Timothy Hill, Roland Moussa & Princess Wow, Donna & Rick Nestler, the Hudson River Sloop Singers, Jay Ungar & Molly Mason and Bethany Yarrow & Rufus Cappadocia.
Both performers and audiences shared their recollections of Pete.
In true Clearwater spirit, the performance was preceded by a potluck. Pete believed in creating a sense of community through food and song.
Songs written by and associated with Pete and the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater were performed to the standing-room-only crowd. The performance ended with a sing-along of “This Land Is Your Land” followed by the civil rights anthem “We Shall Overcome.”
Pete is still with us in spirit. Even in his passing, he is continuing to do what he always did best – bring people together.
Another evening dedicated to the life and music of Pete Seeger will take place at 7pm on Tuesday (February 25) when the the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany hosts “Evensong: A Celebration of Pete Seeger.” And Pete’s sister Peggy Seeger – who shared the stage with Pete at Proctors in Schenectady last May in front of an adoring, sold-out crowd – returns to Nippertown for a concert on her own at the Eighth Step at Proctors at 7pm on Thursday, March 20. Tickets are $26 in advance; $28 at the door; $50 VIP includes a post-concert meet-and-greet.
Jeff Haynes, Rufus Capodoccia and Bethany Yarrow
Thank goodness. Pete through the lives he touched. lives on!
Do you have that feeling too that Pete is still with us in spirit. I can almost feel it across the waters all the way in The Netherlands. Or it is as a result of all of you and the things we must all feel now. Our thoughts and remembering. The legacy. Keep on singing and sailing.
great writing