LIVE: The Clearwater Tribute to the Memory of Pete Seeger @ The Linda, 3/20/16

Review and photographs by Rudy Lu

Musicians of many diverse musical genres came out to pay tribute to the late Pete Seeger at a benefit concert for the much-needed renovation of the Sloop Clearwater last month. The Linda in Albany hosted the Sunday afternoon fundraiser that featured the folksinging that Pete was known for, in addition to his music interpreted in a smorgasbord of musical styles, including blues, reggae and jazz. And there was some Indian music that had been adopted by Pete, too.

Each band played short two-or-three-song sets, and, of course, in typical Seeger fashion, there were many sing-alongs. Of particular note to this listener were:

Big Creek’s rendition of “Goodnight Irene”
“Lonesome Valley” by Acoustic Bare Bones
“Early Morning” by the family band Sonder Strings
The Bounce Back Band’s reggae-fied treatment of “Garbage”
Pianist Lecco Morris and saxman Jeff Nania’s jazzy interpretation of “Which Side Are You On?”
“Raghupati raghava raja Ram” by Noe Dinnerstein
and the rousing grand finale of “This Land is Your Land”

Over $8,000 was raised by the event for the renovations and upkeep of the Sloop Clearwater.

Additional upcoming benefit concerts are taking place in Manhattan’s New York Society for Ethical Culture tonight (Friday, April 29), Huntington’s Cinema Arts Centre on Sunday (May 1) and the Tarrytown Music Hall on Saturday, June 18.

Tuesday (May 3) marks the 97th anniversary of the birth of Pete Seeger.

ALSO SEE:
More of Rudy Lu’s photographs of the concert at Rudy Lu Photos