Music Review: Blackberri

I made a note to review Blackberri shortly before I had to give up reviewing music. It is appropriate that it is with Blackberri that I restart my reviews. 

I am sure the was in connection with the album, Blackberri and Friends: Finally becoming available for download and on vinyl via Bandcamp:

https://blackberri.bandcamp.com/releases

What I may not have understood at the time was that the "finally" was not about becoming available then; it was "Finally" already back in 1981. That appears to be more of a reference to him having started busking in San Francisco in 1974.

In fact, I could not find a lot recorded. The album contains ten tracks (though the first and third sound suspiciously alike), and I was able to find two more tracks via a compilation album. Searches are complicated now by the presence of a drag queen who also goes by Blackberri.

As it is, Blackberri himself has had a long and productive life, beyond music recording. A Yoruba priest, he has worked as a death and dying counselor with AIDS patients, and focused on AIDS prevention, receiving a lifetime achievement AIDS Hero award in 2002. 

https://www.kqed.org/arts/13859162/meet-the-lgbtq-elders-who-rioted-organized-and-lobbied-to-change-history

The AIDS epidemic started about the same time as that original album release. Maybe other things felt more important than more recording sessions.

It's easy to know that there is a lot more to be known. I'm sure the album means more for someone who was into Bay Area music in that time period. After Blackberri there are seven band members listed, then fourteen guest musicians. I suspect there is a whole yearbook full of good memories contained in those credits.

Those are all good things to know, but it is probably most important to know that the music is good. While not every song is upbeat, there is a general sense of fun with joyful percussion, mostly in the Blues tradition.

Wikipedia says that his track "Eat the Rich" was included on Lavender Country, the first known gay-themed country album. It is less country than "Please Help Me To Forget" for example, with its mournful steel pedal, but it is fun and mischievous, including bad puns and chewing sound effects. "Bye Bye Blues" may be the best example of Blackberri's ability with Blues, but "Eat the Rich" is the one waiting to be discovered by everyone who misses Occupy Wall Street.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackberri 

I should also point out "Return to the Reason", possibly the song that pulls the most from the '70s, with hints of Kansas. It has a haunting quality. Positioned on the album right after "Bye Bye Blues", that section may give the best idea of Blackberri's range.

For completeness, the two tracks not on the album that can be found on Spotify are "Flowers, the Weeds" and "When Will the Ignorance End". They are listed as being on From Walls to Roses: Songs of Changing Men. "When Will the Ignorance End" was also the theme song for the first National Third World Lesbian and Gay conference. It is as timely as "Eat the Rich", though less cheeky.

And that is perhaps the most important thing to note: the music does not sound dated, which is a good thing and can be a sign of quality. The themes aren't dated either. They should be, but the ignorance has not ended yet.

That leaves a lot of work to be done, but at least the music is there.

Finally can be downloaded for $7.00 (a bargain!) at https://blackberri.bandcamp.com/releases. The vinyl is $45, but it is rare, and it captures a specific time and place. For some people it will be a treasure.

You can also see updates from Blackberri at https://www.instagram.com/blackberrisinger/.