Honest Work

(Billy Bragg)

The Labor Songs show 'Halfway to May Day' at RRL on Nov. 1 was fun, and the kind of RRL experience we usually hope for. We filled over two hours with readings and songs. There were four musical performers, one of whom took our flyer at Showcase Elmira and another who saw a listing in the newspaper. It was evident that everyone was invested and worked hard on preparing their material for the show. Thanks to all who participated and came to watch.

Here's a partial list of performances (from memory)
- & songwriters, where known:

To Have and To Have Not - Billy Bragg
Do You Want My Job? - John Hiatt/Little Village (Dan A)

Reading: Don't Let Us Get Sick - Warren Zevon (Tom O)

Israelites - Desmond Dekker
Next Train to Memphis - Tom Brown
Mercenary Song - Steve Earle (Tom B)

Takin' Care of (Patients) - Randy Bachman/Fred Turner/Dan Maloney
If I Had a Hammer - Pete Seeger (Dan M)

Reading: Pa. coal miners' letters (Tom O)

Between the Wars - Billy Bragg
Tip Your Waitress - Loudon Wainwright III (Dan A)

The Long Black Veil - Lefty Frizzell
and several others (Andy)

Reading: Funeral - Mekons (Tom O)

A-L-O-I - Tom Brown
Viola Lee Blues - ? (Tom B)

Nothing is Perfect - Neil Young
Christmas in Washington - Steve Earle (Dan A)

Dark as a Dungeon - Merle Travis
Nice Guy - Dan Maloney
This Land is Your Land - Woody Guthrie (Dan M)

Thinking out loud here: One of the lessons we're learning from trying new things is the challenge of attracting an audience. This first event went well in every other respect; one factor affecting attendance (and drawing more performers) might have been a competing folk concert at the Clemens Center.
(I'm also not sure if adding 'Dan Aloi presents' to this and other shows would make a difference in this town; I'd be willing to try it and trade on past recognition or alleged respect, etc., only if I wasn't one of the performers!)

The idea now is to do this again, and for everyone there on Thursday to commit to bring two more people (and then those people bring two people the next time, and so on - sounds like a union organizing model!).

Result: We will try doing this on a regular basis through the spring, with shows monthly, and usually on the first . The only criteria is work-related (however loosely defined), topical/political songs and readings.

For now, mark your calendars for Friday, Dec. 28 (updated date) and Friday, Feb. 1. Since someone asked me if I could do it in Ithaca, I'm also considering finding a venue for an RRL-presented show there in this format for March or April (to be discussed). Then it's May Day at RRL! Outside, if the weather allows?
I'm already working on songs for the next show.

Ideas, thoughts, comments here, if you have 'em.