Liz Berlin (@ Rusted Root – Bonnaroo 06

 
I first noticed Liz Berlin while taking images of the Page & Plant Tour of 1995.  The band was young, vibrant, mystical in their approach to the genre and fronted by an exuberant, classic beauty from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 

There have been occasional stalwarts that exuded the traits of the first divas of the genre, i.e., Janis Joplin & Grace Slick but none seemed to have the desire nor the energy to sustain the years of road weary travel and a myriad of venues, motels and tour buses.
It’s always difficult when comparisons to Hall Of Fame singers are part of any musical conversation and few have ever equaled the charisma, charm, elegance and visual allure of the Golden Age Queens other than Diana Mangano (Jefferson Starship) & Emmylou Harris.

With airwaves saturated with appalling lyrics and tunes that are destined for short term memory and narcolepsy, The Rusted Root configuration in Manchester gave notice that they are back on the scene and prepared to take their place amidst the royalty of today’s rock n’ roll.

As the amplified tunes blared throughout the 26 square acres in Manchester, Tennesssee, all skepticism of their return was soon forgotten as were the wretched songs of today’s airwaves.  Comparisons are often perceived as a curse and artists of given magnitude are always in search of their own identity rather than references to past glory but…..very few can be compared to the provocative, stunning visual appeal and charismatic personalities from the legendary days of The Avalon Ballroom and The Fillmores.

With a four cast of band characters inclusive of Tom Petty, The Neville Brothers, Elvis Costello, Beck, Radiohead, Phil & Friends, Dr. John and others have historical note, the weekend belonged to Liz Berlin.

The consummate artist, she exudes the passion of yesteryear with the conviction of 2006 and the clarity of her voice is a gift to the masses.

As much as I love the memories of Haight Ashbury, the ghosts of The Avalon Ballroom and The Fillmore Auditorium, it was quite the moment watching Liz and remembering the tempestuous tandem from The Counter Culture.

She is young, gifted and energetic but exudes the elements that defined both Grace and Janis.  What a privilege to have seen them all and now left with the refreshing performace of Rusted Root, the other members of the band and the dynamics and beauty of Liz Berlin.

Others will have a myriad of comments over the various bands of this Bonnaroo and are entitled to voice it but after nearly four decades at historical events such as Atlanta Pop Festival in 1970, Woodstock in 1969, Watkins Glen in 1973, hundreds of performances at Bill Graham’s Winterland, The Fillmore Auditorium, The Fillmores East & West and my friend Chet Helm’s Avalon Ballroom, I venture to say that Liz Berlin will forever be etched into the folklore of Bonnaroo and possibly the annals of Women Who Rock.

I always felt fortunate to have legendary friends like Chet, Peter Albin & Sam Andrew of Big Brother & The Holding Company. Jerry Miller of Moby Grape, Pete Sears and others of known iconic status and the shows that defined an entire culture but….after watching this Rusted Root performance, seems as if the genre can once again right itself with  music that matters and augmented by the people, musicians that matter.
Chet Helms attended Bonnaroo in 03 and if he had been around for 06, plaudits and
Kudos would abound for Superfly Productions, Big Hassle Media and the music, especially the night of Rusted Root and the engaging performance of Liz Berlin.
Cheers
Don
Don Aters – Editor – Haight Street Music News