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Larry Littany Litt

 

MARCHING SONGS FOR THE EARTH Reverend Billy and The Stop Shopping Choir are singing masterfully to keep the spirit of the future and justice movements alive. Reverend Billy and The Stop Shopping Choir at Joe's Pub November 26, 2023. Reverend Billy and The Stop Shopping Choir at Joe’s Pub November 26 to December 17, 2023 425 Lafayette Street New York, NY  Reviewed by Larry Littany Litt Dec. 17, 2023   EARTH-A-LULIA! at Earthchxrch, 36 Avenue C (Loisada Ave., corner of 3rd Street) Open-ended run - performances weekly Sundays at 5:00 p.m. beginning January 14, 2024 Info: https://revbilly.com   With all due respect, is the highly and multi-talented Stop Shopping Choir only appealing to an audience choir of liberal elites which is already convinced that something must be done to save the planet before it’s too late?   Reverend Billy’s band, like many eco-artists, believes that pointing out the social and industrial ills that are plaguing us can contribute to the hopeful eventual solution. However there are other artists who take direct action and attempt hands-on solutions that may correct what are deemed destructive corporate or social behaviors.   Who does what to make the world a better place doesn’t need to be spelled out for Reverend Billy’s audiences. They know. It’s Billy’s musical offering that reminds them they aren’t alone in their ecological despair and actions. The choir masterfully presents its 30 member voices in a strong current of love for the earth and its peoples.   Whether it’s composting, recycling, walking in the woods or a vegan diet, the Choir sings and offers stimulating melodies and lyrics like "Love At The Gate," "Where do I Go" and "Thrill To It" as marching songs. I can still hear them in my head.   The next time I turn on my computer or look at my phone I’ll be reminded of the realities belted in the moving "Machines" - one of the Choir’s best rhythms.   I’ve been to several of Reverend Billy’s shows during the 20 years he’s been performing. I’ve seen him rage at capitalism and corporate malfeasance in his sermons. I think he’s mellowed and fine tuned his preaching to direct environmental issues. In "Great Outdoors" and "Life Matters" we hear the desire for a cleaner, purer earth that existed before humans came to take their resources from Mother Earth.   Reverend Billy directs the audience to repeat with him the ministerial mantra  “Earth-a-lulia” praising our terra firma. And the audience does so to the loudest it can without being hysterical. That’s why they came to Joe’s Pub and why they will go to Reverend Billy’s Earthchxrch every Sunday at 5:00 PM beginning January 14. I could feel the joy of participation fill Joe’s Pub as it does anywhere the Choir appears and Reverend Billy preaches the eco-message.   Although I have my doubts about the future of our planet I’m always glad to hear, see and feel that there are other humans working to keep the spirit of the future and justice movements alive and moving in the right direction. If you need a jolt of eco-energy then Revend Billy and the Stop Shopping Choir is just the performance that will wake you up and get you singing.

 

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