A Joyously Militant Celebration Of Joe Hill with Tom Morello And Friends

Today is the 100th anniversary of the execution of Joe Hill, labor radical and forefather of all American protest music. Hill was honored and celebrated on Tuesday night with a truly incredible, beyond sold out show put on by Tom Morello and his friends to carry on the rabble rousing started by Hill long ago.

The Troubadour stage held a large tapestry of Joe Hill, where he watched over the proceedings and reminded everyone why they were there. Morello introduced the night by reading the foreword he'd written for the centenary edition of The Letters Of Joe Hill (a copy of which each audience member receieved after the show). You should just get the book, but the point is that Hill was killed because the powers that be were afraid of him ("and they should be") and his songs that demanded the working class to organize for social justice. A quick paraphrase ...

Joe Hill is my favorite musician, though there are no known recordings of him ... but Joe didn't just sing songs confronting injustice. He was on the front lines risking life and limb to try to create a better, more just world ... That's why they killed him ... But as the song says, Joe Hill ain't dead. Wherever, whenever you raise your fist, your voice, or your guitar in the name of justice and freedom, Joe Hill is right there by your side. Solid. - Tom Morello

So that's exactly what we did all night (three plus hours), raised our voices and our fists in the name of freedom and justice ... like this:

Morello opened the evening solo, shouting, "This is a freedom song! This is a fighting song! This is a UNION song!" and launched into his "Union Song" to the delight of the many members of the Nurses Union in the house in their red shirts, who LOVE Tom, and the feeling is mutual. Joe Hill is name dropped in the song that celebrates Union members standing UP and standing STRONG, and when it ended, Morello said that Joe Hill always liked to stir up a heap of trouble, and that's what else we were going to do on this night. Solid.

Tom introduced "the first living legend of the night", Van Dyke Parks, who played Joe Hill's song "The Preacher and the Slave" that coined the term, "pie in the sky" back in the day. Parks played piano beautifully and sang, accompanied by a friend on an accordion, and shared that he'd last played The Troubadour 52 years ago! He also played a song by Blind Alfred Reed, of whom Parks said, "He couldn't see, but he could." Van Dykes Park is great, and that's just that.

From the most senior performer of the evening to the most junior with The Poet Puff Girls (Zariya Allen, Belissa Escobedo, and Rhiannon McGavin), a trio of slam poets who delivered a heavy, pointed spoken word poem about the state of schools today, ending it with, "The greatest lessons are the ones you don't remember learning." Our future is safe with these girls. Wow.

They were followed by another extra powerful female (in fact, this was by far the most women I've ever had the pleasure of being entertained by at one of Morello's Justice shows - the ladies are fierce!), with Delila Paz from The Last Internationale absolutely killing it with their "I'm Gonna Live The Life I Sing About In My Song." Paz is one of my very favorite female voices of our day, and you simply must first, check them out, and second, strongly consider living the life she sings about in her song. It's a good one.

"A modern day Joe Hill ... always on the front lines, if there's tear gas, he smells of it," was how Morello introduced the great David Rovics, who amused everyone by saying he'd been planning for this occasion for a year. "It's not every day a leftie activist gets these kind of events." He played Joe Hill's "Where The Fraser River Flows", and then sang his own song "Joe Hill" about the Wobblies, and "the Bard with the Union Card" who had to be killed "Lest he organize the working class in song." Rovics is the real deal.

"A lot of who plays these shows is who says yes, and our next performer always says yes," said Morello to introduce the wonderful Jill Sobule (another fierce woman!). She said, "This is a song about the history of immigration in America," and played her hilarious and spot on "When They Say They Want Our America Back" ("Well, what the fuck do they mean?"). The crowd loved it, singing along with gusto (though she reports it doesn't go over as well in the South. Go figure.)

To remind everyone of what we were up to, Morello read the preamble to the IWW (Industrial Workers of the World) Constitution (aka what Joe Hill was about) and its call to do away with capitalism. "So enjoy the nice singalong songs, but this is the real shit that's going down tonight." We were all down.

Morello's co-founder of Firebrand Records, Ryan Harvey and his musical partner, Kareem Samara (on the beautiful oud), played one of their new songs about the Kurdish people, and we all sang the chorus, "I will stand with the People of Rojava". Harvey is one of the most erudite and truth-seeking sharers of wisdom about social injustice struggles that I know. When I don't understand an ISIS thing, for example, I look to Harvey for help. He's another artist like Rovics who is out there on the front lines at any and all protests, and was particularly helpful in understanding all the trouble in Baltimore (where he's frorm) for Freddie Gray earlier this year. When you listen to Harvey's songs, really LISTEN, because you will really learn.

Rich Robinson of The Black Crowes came out next and gave us his acoustic version of Dylan's "The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll" and I think I got a new crush. I wasn't alone either, as a girl passed out in the audience right then off to the side. It was handled very subtly, and I hope she's ok today. Robinson making the ladies swoon!

"Please welcome my longtime comrade in arms, Boots Riley!"said Morello, to shouts of "BOOOTS" (not boos), and my complete surprise and happiness. Riley (of the supercool The Coup) is one of my very favorites, and like Harvey, very well versed in all that is going on in the world, and how we got there. Though his lyrics are always witty and cool, they contain a biting truth that never leaves you. He threw down his spoken word, "Underdogs", which is real hard to follow.

But not if you're Tim Armstrong. The Rancid frontman came out in his big bushy beard and shades, and blasted out Joe Hill's classic, "There's A Power In The Union", which I think Hill would have dug. We sure did.

Next up was a teaming of guys from Mumford and Sons, Dawes, and Alaina Moore from Tennis, who played Hill's "Rebel Girl", saying, "It's not the original, but I think Joe Hill would be cool with that." They also gave us a cover of New Order's "Love Vigilantes", which I think Hill would have been cool with too.

{Just then as I was scribbling notes down in my book, Van Dyke Parks walked by and squeezed my arm. I looked up, and he smiled and gave me a thumbs up. Magic! I think he liked seeing a pen put to paper in this techno world, but he might have just been flirting too, which I'm fine with.}

Another Firebrand Records artist was next, with Lia Rose from Built For The Sea coming out next to lead everyone in singing the old Union song, "Which Side Are You On?" joined by Morello and his Freedom Fighter Ochestra (the always awesome David Gibbs, Carl Restivo, and Eric Gardner) to belt it out. It was awesome, and when Jill Sobule read one of Joe Hill's letters about how important women were to organizing, that was an exclamation point to the song. Fierce.

THEN .... JOAN BAEZ! This was a really big deal to me as I've loved her voice and her politics ever since I was little, and now here she was singing - in her sublime as ever voice - the Phil Ochs song, "There But For Fortune", accompanying herself on her acoustic guitar, also beautifully. I had chills. We marched along as the percussion to her song about the Carnation Revolution in Portugal, and then crushed us even more with her song for Chile, "Gracias A La Vida". The place was silent (except for the tools hoping for Springsteen standing next to me), and I felt thoroughly transported. LOVE Joan Baez.

"That concludes the acoustic part of the night!" shouted Tom before bringing up the fantastic Ziggy Marley! "This is a cry for justice!" shouted Marley before launching into his song, "Justice". The night's women were his backup singers, and it was so good, with about a dozen people playing on stage. They followed it with Ziggy's Dad's "Get Up, Stand Up", which everyone did, and absolutely vowed to not give up the fight. Ziggy Marley, People!

:Rebel music comes in a lot of flavors, and one of those is punk rock. This one is from the greatest punk band of all time, The Clash!" before leading the dudes in an incendiary cover of "Career Opportunities". It was so punk rock, you guys.

Well, now it was time to "Kick Out The Jams"! The MC5's Wayne Kramer led all the guitar players in the world (it seemed) in kicking out his trademark song. This one featured the old Morello guitar solo with his teeth that always slays the crowd, and added Edgey Pires from The Last Internationale to the mix. Those jams were done kicked OUT, let me tell you.

The teeth solo was really no match for what followed, when Morello blew the roof off with his now-classic take on Springsteen's "The Ghost Of Tom Joad". It's a real show stopper with a solo for the ages that still gives me chills, but my favorite part is when he sings, "Look in their eyes, Ma, you'll see me!" and you see Mary Morello looking down at her son singing that. No one could be more proud, and she taught him everything he knows - except maybe that guitar solo.

After people completely lost their shit, Morello and Company helped them find it with the Street Sweeper Social Club slammer, "Ghetto Blaster". It ruled, as one would expect, and it was so extra fantastic to see Riley perform again in L.A. When he tells you to fight the power, you listen.

"The next two songs are candidates for the Revolutionary National Anthem!", shouted Morello, and then turned his mic stand to the crowd, saying, "Kids, I'll let you sing this one." We heard the opening chords of Rage Against The Machine's "Killing In The Name" and the entire crowd took over Zack de la Rocha's vocals - and it should be noted that they knew every word. "Some of those who work forces, are the same that burn crosses!" It was super cool, and super heavy, and super evident that we all need that Rage now more than ever. Really quite a moment in a night of huge moments.

"Thanks Joe, for the inspiration for all these songs, and thank you all for coming! Is it possible you'd like one more song?" (It was) "Convince my ass!" (We did). After Morello thanked all the sponsors and the Nurses Union, he shouted, "I'd like to welcome to the stage, Everybody! All the rebel rockers!" Every single one of the night's performers then crammed up on the stage to belt out "This Land Is Your Land", the one that really should be our National Anthem.

Verses (ALL of them) were traded off between performers (many now wearing paper targets pinned over their hearts in the same manner as Joe Hill was executed by firing squad), as the audience followed Morello's instructions to listen, sing, and JUMP for joy. "If you can stand, do stand. You don't want to be seen shirking in Mary Morello's presence! We're all going to do this joyously, and yet militantly at the same time!"

With verses taken by the likes of Kramer, Parks, Riley (in a cool rap style), the one that soared and blew us all away was taken by the E Street Band's Cindy Mizelle. There are almost no words for this woman's voice straight from Heaven. It was simply stunning, as was the visual of every body in The Troubadour jumping and singing their hearts out in the name of freedom and justice.  When Morello yelled "Take it easy, but take it!" at song's end, it was with a hoarse and cracking voice, evidence of all that had already gone down.

But we weren't done quite yet. We all joined in a hearty, rousing singalong of "Solidarity Forever", the Union anthem sung to the tune of "The Battle Hymn Of The Republic", and you absolutely felt the power in unity that so frightened the authorities back in Joe Hill's day, and still does today. When the People unite, anything is possible.

My favorite moment among many favorites was then, when Joan Baez took to the front of the stage with her acoustic guitar and began singing "I Dreamed I Saw Joe Hill Last Night", the very song that she mesmerized the entire Woodstock with. All the other performers surrounded Baez with their fists raised, and the audience all followed suit. Without even noticing it, I had tears running down my cheeks. The beauty and power of the moment was so touching and inspiring, but more than anything, it filled me with hope.

These are real crazy, scary, violent, unjust times in many ways, but when you get people to stand together in a show of unity and support for freedom and justice in such a pure and unafraid collective rebel yell, it's clear that goodness always prevails. As Baez sang "'I never died,' says he" ... you could feel Joe Hill's presence in the room, confirming exactly that.

"See you in 100 years!" shouted Morello to conclude the epic three hour+ show, again showing the optimism and promise that was the vibe of the entire evening.

Joe Hill would be - no, IS - proud.

*Most photos courtesy of Chuck Walker
** Morello teeth solo and Baez/Paz/Morello photo by Randall Wallace

Tom Morello Tears Up The Troubadour

The Nightwatchman was back on duty at The Troubadour in Los Angeles last night, and the sold out show was packed with the Tom Morello faithful. It had been a year since his last show in this storied venue, and a LOT has gone down in the world since, and Morello always has something profound to say about it all.

I love the Nightwatchman shows for many reasons, but a big one is that I always get to see our gang of mutual friends and catch up on the latest. This is the best, but last night I regret to say that it did prevent me from catching Tom's opening act, David Rovics. Tom's friend and an outspoken singer for social justice, Rovics was reported to be real good, with a bit of a "busker" vibe to him, according to one friend. I will get there next time, and apologize to Mr. Rovics that I wasn't inside in time to catch any of his tunes. Dang.

People were stuffed in to the rafters, and when the lights went down and the dramatic intro music came up, the place went wild before a note was played.  Morello took the stage, and "Good evening, Los Angeles! I'm the Nightwatchman, and this is 'Maximum Firepower'!" With that, Morello tore right into his great song that features the truism If you take a step towards freedom, it will take two steps towards you. Right on.

The Freedom Fighter Orchestra (Dave Gibbs, Carl Restivo, Eric Gardner, and a new guy on keys that Tom called "The Bull Shark") joined Morello on stage for a heavy version of "It Begins Tonight" which blew right into the classic from Tom's first solo album, "One Man Revolution". At the end of that one, Morello yelled, "Fuck YEAH!" - taking the words out of everyone's mouths.

 "The first time I experienced reciprocal romantic love, I was 17 and she had 6 strings and a fret board," said Tom to introduce "Black Spartacus Heart Attack Machine", which he played on the guitar of the same name. I ain't alone no more... he sang to his People, and the shouts back affirmed that very fact.

That's a great thing about these guys and these songs ... they are for the People, and they do let you know that none of us are alone in it. The Nightwatchman shows up for all sorts of protests and benefits and causes, and is out there sticking up for justice every chance he gets. Through all these endeavors, friendships are made, and a veritable "Fox News Enemy List" was in the house last night. Union Members (which Morello is, and proudly), the successful Long Beach Longshoreman strikers, Walmart strikers, Anti-war activists, Occupy Wall Street founders, and everyday people trying to get by and do the right things ... all of us were rocking it out together last night ... and no one was alone.
That was a perfect time for "Union Town", which Los Angeles surely is. Morello ended that one by shouting the Lennon line, "A Working Class Hero is something to be!" It sure is. 

Tom and his good friend and comrade, Ben Harper, "set out to write a song that would change the world", so Tom went to Ben's house, where they decided that "to save others, you have to save yourself" and came up with the beautiful and true, "Save The Hammer For The Man." Carl Restivo took over the Ben verses this night (to wild applause), and Tom played a gorgeous solo on his "Whatever It Takes" acoustic guitar. So good. Then came the equally intense and deep, "The Fifth Horseman of The Apocalypse", which I love, and clearly so did everyone else. There was a tangible feeling of deep respect all night, both from the audience for the band, and they for them. These are intensely special shows, and that's just a fact.

"Whatever It Takes" had a superfan guy near me not only singing along with every word, but doing little gestures to illustrate the words too. I love those people, with their unadulterated enthusiasm for what they love. They MEAN it. Probably because they're watching a show from a guy who REALLY means it, a lot more than most.

Like when he told about working with the IVAW (Iraq Vets Against The War) and becoming friends with Tomas Young, the subject of the great documentary Body Of War. We visited the Walter Reed Hospital on Morello's Justice Tour of 2008, and Tom, Tomas and I went in the hospital rooms and talked with these injured (mangled, really) vets, and it was one of the most intense experiences of my life. Young has been having some setbacks with blood clots of late, and Tom dedicated his song, "Stray Bullets" to him and the IVAW members in the audience. Why the fuck we're even here, I'll never know ... a good question to ask of ALL war.

Amnesty International released a big Bob Dylan cover album (Chimes Of Freedom) and Tom next played his contribution to that behemoth of tributes, "Blind Willie McTell", which was great as you would expect. It featured a dope electric solo and a full band metallic rock out at the end. From there, "You get acoustic, you get electric, you get 50 shades of The Nightwatchman tonight!" Totally right, as after that heaviness, Tom asked for total silence, "Or I'll send my 89 year old Mom out there, and you don't want that". That shut everyone up - totally - and Tom played his sublime, "Garden Of Gethsemane", his Mom's favorite. It was SO quiet you really could hear people breathing, and every intricate acoustic note and word was not just heard, but RECEIVED. The eruption of grateful noise at its end was a total jolt after the silence, and set the tone for the next one.

"From the pitch and the squeals, I can tell we have our first female audience members tonight!" joked Tom, and then they played "The one we wrote for the ladies", the party song, "Shake My Shit". Tom was dancing like I've never seen him cut a rug before, and then blew the minds with a guitar solo played with his teeth. When the room went wild, he shouted, "Consider your shit shook!" Yep. It was.

Rage Against The Machine - Tom's other band- is having their 20 year anniversary, so Tom shared a story about when they were "The original Occupy Wall Street" and they shot the "Sleep Now In The Fire" video on the steps of the New York Stock Exchange, directed by Michael Moore. This wound up being Moore's first time being arrested, as he had given them the one main directive, "Whatever happens, don't stop playing!" So they didn't. When Tom just played the little opening riff from that song, the room went crazy, causing Tom to say, "It's funny how just that does that", referring to the cause and effect of that epic jam.

But they didn't play that one, and instead went into "The Road I Must Travel", which the whole place sang along with the "Na na na na" chorus, which wrapped up with a Rage-y stomp that had the whole place banging heads as one. "All together in solidarity!" The point of the whole night, and the whole of the music, really.

"Would you like one more song?" WOOOOOO! "The People united, will never be defeated!" smiled Tom and gave us the song that he joined The Boss on the night before in Anaheim, "The Ghost Of Tom Joad". I get chills every time I hear this one, and it's because Tom completely made it his own. The solo on this one is just so mind blowing, and the melody so deep, that I still get choked up over it. I hope every person with ears gets to hear it in their lifetime, and hopefully live, and there's just nothing like it. A guy next to me simply shouted, "WHAT?!?!" Nonplussed and thrilled. As were we all. (The picture below isn't blurry, that was the speed of the solo!)

"Convince me you'd like to hear one more song!" Everyone did, so they got the Woody Guthrie now Nightwatchman anthem, "This Land Is Your Land", which Tom wants played in a post-revolutionary world, "When they paint the White House black ...". All ages (from 7 to 89!), from the bartenders to the balconies,  EVERYONE sang and jumped along, like never before. "We're all in this together!" It was pure jubilance.

"Curfew be damned, we're going for 3 hours and 25 minutes!" joked Tom, with another Bruce reference. He invited the entire Troubadour on stage for "World Wide Rebel Songs", and they pretty much all took him up on the offer. It was chaotic and fun and a lifetime memory for many of the ecstatic faces beaming out from the stage. This song, which asks the crucial question, Are you gonna stand around, or are you gonna be free?! came about when Tom played a benefit for Korean guitar makers on strike, who then donated all of the money earned to the earthquake victims in Haiti - again proving the power of the human spirit, and that we truly are all in this thing together.

Chants of "ONE MORE!!" grew, and Tom said, "I got nowhere to be 'til my kids get up at 4 am", so we went back to "the romantic lighting, for a nice hippie vibe". The people on stage all sat down right there, and Tom played my favorite Nightwatchman song, "Let Freedom Ring". Total quiet, total beauty of a moment, just watching the rapt faces on the true fans gathered around Tom's feet. The words still, and always, ring true ... Let. Freedom. Ring. Not a lot else has to be said.

With the now-trademark farewell, "Take it easy, but take it!" Morello and The Freedom Fighter Orchestra left the stage, weaving their way through the throngs around them, and that was that.

Happy, sweaty faces stayed behind talking and you could feel the inspiration coursing through the collective body of humanity gathered. Because these are the songs about life that really need to be heard. These are the people in life that are really trying to make a difference in the world, on stage and off. And these are the moments in life that really matter.  Take them easy, but TAKE THEM.



*Photos by me and Brooklyn Joe Vitale