Learning Life with Women's History Month #1

 This month is one of my favorite months of the year. There have been so many incredible women that have helped shape the world in so many ways. Not only as women, but as singers, activists, and humanitarian. One of which is Holly Near, whose incredible career spans decades. 

Holly Near was born in Ukiah California on June 6th, 1949. She had an addiction for her first record contract at the early age of 10. Being involved in music and theatre in high school she got into more serious acting appearing on The Partridge Family, and All In The Family. She also made B and lower-budget movies. She continued to do theatre throughout 1970 where she appeared in Broadway musical Hair. Near recorded her first album entitled "  A Live Album". She also wrote the songs for it as well, including one about the Kent State shootings. 

Later in 1971, she joined the Free the Army Tour organized by Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland. They performed small skits and songs for the troops. Much like what Bob Hope is known for, except theirs wasn't homophobic, racists, or sexist. 

Over her long career as a folk singer, Near has performed with many artists. People like, Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, Harry Belafonte, Bernice Johnson Reagon, Cris Williamson, Joan Baez. Most notably, however, was her collaboration and performing partnership ship with Ronnie Gilbert. 

Here are some of my favorite Holly Near albums:

1.) A Live Album: This not only debuted Holly Near as a singer but also as a very capable songwriter. Some of the songs on the album show so much potential and Holly's songwriting has grown and become so much more advanced since then. Highlights of the album are the haunting " It Could Have Been me",  and "Started of Fine". Since these songs would be considered topical, they of course are not going to upstand time. The track " Old Time Woman" for example, would probably be considered ageist today. 

A live Album

2.) Show Up- I love how no Holly Near album really sounds the same. This is an example of that. One of my all-time favorite songs is on this album as well, "I Am Willing" Show Up

3.) Lifeline Extended-  Another live album recorded over a series of concerts she performed with Ronnie Gilbert. Ronnie who was already a veteran performer of the time came back into the performing world to join Holly Near after they started a friendship and musicianship. Holly Near dedicated " A Live Album" to her in 1974.  There are some amazing performances on here. I don't know of any music collaboration where Ronnie doesn't mesh. These are no exception. Listen to Harriet Tubman or the haunting "Hay Una Mujer" about the missing women in Chile.  Lifeline