Berkeley Community Theater, Berkeley, CA19th September 1998 |
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Derek's review Sonicnet review
This show was a benefit for "Critical Resistance." The show program actually states is as: "A benefit for the Prison Activist Resource Center and the California Coalition for Women Prisoners." If anyone is interested in their cause the web address is http://www.igc.org/prisons.
I only scored tickets two hours before showtime and was still able to get floor level seats. The theater itself only houses about 3500. The bill included Micheal Franti (of Spearhead fame), Me'Shell Ndege'ocello and John Trudell w/Bad dog. The event was MC'ed by author Angela Davis. We had a hard time trying to find a place to park so were unable to see John Trudell. We walked in as Franti was beginning his set. The crowd was subdued but Franti was not. His political rantings/rap were excellent making very valid points about the state of race/social/class issues in todays society. His poignant and insightful spoken word sessions brought a smile to my face. If anyone can get the chance to see this guy solo do it. Next up Me'Shell. Although the band was very tight and seemed to be improvising very powerful jams it was hard to hear her vocals and after the first song crowd members were shouting "turn up the vocals" to no avail. I sat only standing when required by the people in front of me and sometimes not even then. But on to Ani eh?
Ani came out solo. Just her and her guitar and went right into Fuel. A very interesting version without a band backing her. Then went into; I don't know, Up,Up Up something, I don't know all her stuff. Then after a very relaxed and comfortable banter with the crowd which at times seemed to flow into stream of consciousness for about ten minutes launched into "My Country Tis' of Thee." This sparking an enormous reaction from the crowd given the event. She seemed earlier to really try and explain what the song was all about and at one moment of silence a baby in the audience cried. Prompting Ani to declare that "I'm almost done and where did she come from." Then another older song I'm not familiar with but which drove the crowd nuts and done. All sets from all the artists were very short. About a half an hour. After only a minute or two of applause she came back out and explained she had made a nuisance of herself to the other artists all day trying to arrange some sort of "encore thing." Boom band members came out and Ani, Me'Shell, Franti and Trudell all took turns singing an energetic version of Stevie Wonders "Higher Ground" with Ani starting the first verse. This by far was the highlite of the show with much improvising by Franti and at one point Me'shell and Franti ad-libbing back and forth while Ani sat on the front of the stage looking at both of them almost in awe. Then getting back up to pump out a few chords on her guitar and throwing her head back in what looked like pure enjoyment.
Overall it was a blessing to see her in such a relaxed state in front of a small crowd for a good cause, I think this is where she works her magic best.
Derek