Bethany & Rufus - "Sail Away Ladies" feat. Mady Kouyate (kora), Bonga Jean Baptiste (percussion) and Sheila Anozier (dance) - from "THE SPIRIT OF WOODSTOCK"
Peter, Bethany & Rufus- "I'm On My Way (rehearsal)" from "THE SPIRIT OF WOODSTOCK" feat. Bonga Jean Baptiste, Sheila Anozier, & Mady Kouyate
Bethany & Rufus - "If I Had My Way" feat. Bonga Jean Baptiste (percussion) - from "THE SPIRIT OF WOODSTOCK"
Peter, Bethany & Rufus- "Puff, The Magic Dragon" from "THE SPIRIT OF WOODSTOCK" feat. Bonga Jean Baptiste, Chuck Campbell, & Mady Kouyate
Bethany & Rufus - "Nobody's Fault" feat. Bonga Jean Baptiste (percussion) - from "THE SPIRIT OF WOODSTOCK"
Peter Yarrow’s place in folk music is etched in the history books by virtue creativity and political advocacy as a member of Peter of Peter, Paul and Mary. But not being one to rest on his laurels, Peter has joined his daughter, Bethany Yarrow, whose mesmerizing voice soars above him, counter pointed by her virtuoso, maverick cellist and musical partner, Rufus Cappadocia, as they share with Peter their boundary-breaking reinterpretation of folk and roots music.
Though almost 70 years old (!) , Peter is just as creative and full of energy and ideas as he always has been. In 2007 he published a 1 best-selling picture book and CD edition of Puff the Magic Dragon (Sterling Publishers). He also released a CD called Puff and Other Family Classics (Salasaree Records). The book and CD were both produced with Bethany & Rufus. This spring, a public television special called "PETER, BETHANY & RUFUS: THE SPIRIT OF WOODSTOCK," which grew out of the collaboration on the PBR CD, will be airing on stations around the country during spring pledge drives.
In THE SPIRIT OF WOODSTOCK Peter returns to Woodstock, New York, his summer home as a child, to perform a concert with Bethany & Rufus. Together, the three musicians from two vastly different generations revisit the Woodstock of Peter’s youth, both musically and historically. Peter even takes them to visit his long-abandoned cabin in the woods, a quiet place in the woods where Bob Dylan wrote such masterpieces as "Masters of War" and other luminaries jammed together in the 1960s.
Later, singing together on stage, Peter, Bethany and Rufus share the spirit and conscience of the music that has inspired all three of them in different ways. Filmed before an audience of Woodstock families and children, there are moments of both childlike spontaneity and deeply moving tributes to the music of the 60’s that changed the world. As “Puff The Magic Dragon” and “Blowing In The Wind” meet the music of Bethany & Rufus, Peter is pulled into the vitality of today’s musical perspective with elements of contemporary groove and world music. Special guests appearances by Bethany & Rufus’ friends from around the globe make for brilliant instrumental exchanges featuring Mady Koyate on Malian kora, Bonga Jean-Baptiste on Hatian percussion, and Chuck Campbell of the renowned Campbell Brothers on pedal steel. A thrilling convergence of vision and song emerges as Peter comes full circle to celebrate his early dreams, now transformed and revitalized by the next generation.
************************
PRAISE FOR PBR:
RAMBLES.NET: "As one who got to listen to a whole lot of music, I am here to attest that 2007 was a stellar 12 months for folk and roots music. When I try to sort out what my favorite records were, it isn't easy... Even so, I have no doubt that this album sits near the top of the list. Though I am one who as a general rule likes his music downhome raw (or some approximation thereof), I honor PB&R for not attempting to fake authenticity. No more or less than themselves -- they're early 21st-century New Yorkers -- they revise and carry on the folk tradition through their own extraordinarily expressive sense of it, rendering it in ways that are meaningful to them while doing so with passionate conviction. And if the songs are mostly well known, it's because they deserve to be. The best traditional folk songs are some of the best songs you will ever hear anywhere.
The three share vocal duties, and each member contributes a distinctive voice, imbued with emotion, nuance and keen insight into the song....The quality never falters, and even warhorses like "Blue Tail Fly," "Cindy" and "Frankie and Johnny" race again. What joy!"
***
RON OLESKO: "This is a brilliant recording – a collection with stunning interpretations of songs that many of us grew up with. This CD will be enjoyed by all generations, and I predict it will be enjoyed for by generations yet to come!
This wonderful gem of a CD was features three voices at the center – Peter Yarrow, his daughter Bethany Yarrow, and Bethany’s musical partner Rufus Cappadocia. While Rufus does not use his voice, he makes the cello sing and adds to the intricate harmony of the album."
I have to say, I am very excited and quite humbled to have been named "Volunteer Of The Year" by U.N.A.Y.O., (United North Amityville Youth Org) for my work with their youth and also their Girl Scout Program. U.N.A.Y.O is a WONDERFUL youth center that offers a lot of programs for the youth in our area from tutorials and school extra help to summer programs, karate, dance, Girl Scouts from Daisies to the Senior Level, Leadership and Cultural Studies, just to name a few. They do receive some financial aide from the County and State level but believe it or not, they LOST funding last year because they were too successful with their programs so the funding went to other less successful centers. (Oh how I LOVE modern politics as you all know by now.) They also need donations on the private level to help their programs continue. U.N.A.Y.O. is planning an awards dinner on Saturday, Sept. 27th to honor those that have helped make a difference during the past year and those nutty guys have included me in those being honored. So how can you help you may ask?? Well, they are putting together a Special Awards Journal for this event which is being published in honor of the center's achievements and to recognize those that share their lives with the youth of U.N.A.Y.O. They are looking for Advertisement Donations and here's where you come in. For as little as a $5.00 donation you can have a booster line in the journal and for only $10.00, you can have a copy of your business card in it. Local musicians ... when was the last time your contact info went in anything for just $10.00 AND....100% proceeds go into the youth programs. You just can't beat that!!! Businesses, studios, non-profits.....please jump on this wagon! You can take out a full page ad for only $100.00, 1/2 page for $50.00, 1/4 page for $25.00. Want the inside cover? $150! And again...100% OF THE PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE YOUTH PROGRAMS!! Please contact me ASAP with your order! Xx Robin Eve
I'VE ENJOYED LISTENING TO YOUR MUSIC, AND WELCOME YOU AS MY MUSICAL FRIEND. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED MY SONGS, AND IF SO, WOULD YOU PLEASE VOTE FOR ME IN THE ONGOING MUSIC CONTEST WHICH STARTED IN JANUARY, AND ENDS IN AUGUST. YOU CAN VOTE EVERYDAY, OR WHENEVER YOU THINK ABOUT IT BY SENDING PATRICIA A MESSAGE __www. myspace. com/patriciamastoandeds AND TELL HER YOU'RE VOTING FOR BILL CALLAS-"THE SILVER FOX CROONER" THIS CONTEST MEANS A LOT TO ME IN BEGINNING MY CAREER AT AGE 72,HA! THANK YOU KINDLY, YOUR FRIEND, BILL CALLAS
The PBS special is great. I can't wait to see it again on DVD and live. "If you love real music, you must check out this unique blend of engaging folk-rock from the past and present. Dynamic, fun and truly unique. A living history lesson and a glimpse into the future. A total joy." -Lee Valentine Smith, Atlanta.
MySpace Comments / Glitter Graphics I caught the three of you at the Sheldon in St. Louis about a year and a half ago, really enjoyed the show. I hope to see you again the next time around.
Thanks so much for letting me be a part of your My Space! I'm a long time PP&M fan and see the beginning of being a long time PB&R fan! Love your music!!! Please keep it going!!