Holly's mid-April, 2006 release comes not a moment too soon! An outspoken activist, singer, teacher, and recording artist, Holly has spent the past 35 years working for progressive political and social change. Over the years, her powerful anthems have captured the mood of many movements and now her voice and messages are no less urgent than those of 35 years ago. As one Holly Near fan put it, 'She is a divine mix of Pete Seeger and Judy Garland!' This recording is a pointed and provocative look at where society sits today -- in a new millennium and going into the fourth year of a U.S. led foreign war. From her poignant treatment of Jackson Browne's scathing indictment of the big business war machine in Lives in the Balance to an ironic rewrite of Laura Love's I Want You Gone, no topic is sacred to Holly Near. War, peace, love, family, corporation, government, addiction - they all come under her scrutiny. But Holly is not merely an observer. She invites audiences to take a stand - to take the higher road of vision, peace, perspective, and leadership - and to Show Up. A superb mix of original songs and covers, Show Up showcases Holly's extraordinary talent. Her songs Family Band and Somebody's Jail have the multi-layered poetry that do for a song what a high-powered lens does for a camera. I Am Willing is a healing balm in this time of great discouragement and despair; and she celebrates the environment in Jane Siberry's Bound by the Beauty. Addiction gets a long hard look in Holly's reworking of the old sea shanty Drunken Sailor, accompanied solely by Jackeline Rago's driving percussive rhythms. This new recording is a launch pad for a tour by this powerful singer and delightful storyteller. Holly brings history alive as she relates her 35 years of work as a singer/songwriter and social change activist. And history meets the present as she takes on the opportunities and challenges facing the peace and justice movements of today. Whether out on her own or uniting with other contemporary activists, such as Gloria Steinem, Cindy Sheehan, and Medea Benjamin, Holly Near is keeping the political song tradition alive. TRACKS 1. Family Band 2. Somebody's Jail 3. Gandhi/Buddha 4. I Am Willing 5. I Want You Gone Too 6. Lives In The Balance 7. Bound By The Beauty 8. Hattie and Mattie 9. Show Up 10. It's About Time 11. Drunken Sailor 12. This Is Peace 13. Oh River

The Players: Holly Near- Vocals John Bucchino- Keyboards Jan Martinelli- Bass Nina Gerber - Guitars Paul van Wageningen- Drums Georges Lammam- Kaman (Arabic violin) Susu Pampanin- Darabouka Jackeline Rago- Percussion Libby McLaren- Accordion and support vocals Robin Flower- Mandolin Linda Tillery, Rhonda Benin, Nicolas Bearde - supporting vocals

'What a triumph! Holly Near's Show Up will make you do life's most important things: dance, hope, and feel connected. 'Somebody's Jail' should be an anthem for women worldwide, 'Hattie and Mattie' makes you want to tap dance and fall in love - and that's just the beginning. Order this CD for yourself and every friend.'

Gloria Steinem