Work O’ The Weavers
The Dirty Stay Out Skifflers
Work O’ The Weavers
& The Dirty Stay Out Skifflers
Tickets: $28 General Admission / $26 Advance / $50 Gold Circle
Location: The Addy (3rd Fl. at Proctors)
Work O’ The Weavers celebrates the legacy of America’s pioneering folk quartet in song and story. In the early days of this splendid ensemble, they earned ringing endorsements from then-surviving members Seeger, Gilbert and Hellerman, who - along with Lee Hays - burst onto the music scene in 1950 with their two-sided hit record Tzena, Tzena/Goodnight Irene, transforming American popular music practically overnight, and ultimately providing the foundation upon which virtually ever subsequent folk artist would build.
The foursome of singers David Bernz (banjo, guitar), Martha Sandefer, Mark Murphy (bass) & Travis Jeffrey (banjo) not only plays songs associated with the Weavers at its concerts, but also tells the earlier band’s story of national success with “Goodnight Irene” and other hits, their travails during the Communist witch hunts of the 1950s, and their return to popularity with their 1955 Carnegie Hall reunion show.
Adhering faithfully to the Weavers’ original arrangements, the quartet interweaves an edifying narrative that places the songs in historical context. At the late Pete Seeger’s request, they introduced some newer songs the Weavers might be singing were they still active today. More than a tribute, Work o’ the Weavers is an affectionate homage - rousing, relevant and revelatory.
THE DIRTY STAY OUT SKIFFLERS - Rick Nestler (12-string guitar), Donna Nestler (banjolele, kazoo), Dan Berger (harmonica), Tom Reister (trombone)
Skiffle, Jug Band, Country Blues, Roots Americana…the magnificent Skifflers know good-time music, and create it onstage with a joyful flourish. Warning: their ties to Sloop Clearwater are strong, and nautical references and songs may pop up indiscriminately. A guaranteed good time, great playing!
"Four wonderful people who've picked up where the Weavers left off. I put on the recording and had to listen to it twice. FANTASTIC!"
- PETE SEEGER
"This faithfully arranged and sung tribute rings with such rousing familiarity that there are moments when you may find yourself thinking that the group's original members are all within range of the microphones.”
- WASHINGTON POST