Run for Freedom

Run for Freedom

Tracklist
1. Run for Freedom 04:00
2. Grandma’s Penny Sale (Give a Prayer for the Farmer) 04:51
3. It Feels OK 03:47
4. For You My Love 03:25
5. Blue Highway 03:18
6. Sacred Black Hills 04:04
7. Anna Mae 07:14
8. Michael 03:04
9. American Hymn 04:09

“Out of muteness, silence, and pain there comes a song. It rises from the earth, the exploitation, work, and sorrow of the people. It rises from struggle kept alive in our wonderful multiplicity and sounds the tenderness of our solidarity. Bird song, people’s songs, from struggle and death, from the lost and gone and mute, out of the corpse of our death we sing.

Then our joyous singer like Larry Long begins to come where we are working, where we are living, and listens, repeats like a mockingbird or notes of nightingales or meadowlarks, makes songs out of the first and last breath. He sings where we are, about what is happening. He takes the real sound, the real words and gives us back our songs and we hear what singers we all are and how beautiful, and how strong.” – Meridel Le Sueur

Run for Freedom is dedicated to Wanbli Wakan Win’ (Kimberly Rose Means) and to those who came before. Kimberly gave her life in service for her people on a spiritual run across South Dakota in 1981.

WANBLI WAKAN WIN’ (Kimberly Rose Means) 1970 – 1981

Kimberly passed on to the spirit world at the tender age of 11. An innocent young girl who was so full of life – so beautiful.

Credits

released June 21, 2023

Produced by Marian Moore and Larry Long
Recording & Mastering Engineer: Dick Hedlund
Recorded and mixed at Carriage House Recording Studio (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Front Cover Art: Jan Attridge
Back Cover Photograph: Larry Long

Produced by Marian Moore and Larry Long
Recording & Mastering Engineer: Dick Hedlund
Recorded and mixed at Carriage House Recording Studio (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Front Cover Art: Jan Attridge
Back Cover Photograph: Larry Long

Run for Freedom
Larry Long: Lead Vocal, 12-String Guitar
Ginger Commodore: Vocal
Prudence Johnson: Vocal
Dave Moore: Harmonica
Billy Peterson: Bass
Peter Ostroushko: Violin

Grandma’s Penny Sale
(Give a Prayer for the Farmer)
Larry Long: Lead Vocal, Guitar
Ginger Commodore: Vocal
Prudence Johnson: Vocal
Billy Peterson: Bass
Peter Ostroushko: Violin

It Feels O.K.
Larry Long: Lead Vocal, Guitar
Claudia Schmidt: Lead Vocal, Dulcimer

Blue Highway
Larry Long: Lead Vocal, Guitar
Claudia Schmidt: Vocal
Clay Riness: Guitar
Billy Peterson: Bass
Peter Ostroushko: Mandolin

Sacred Black Hills
Larry Long: Lead Vocal, Guitar
Claudia Schmidt: Vocal
Billy Peterson: Bass
Peter Ostroushko: Mandolin

Anna Mae
Larry Long: Lead Vocal, Guitar
Claudia Schmidt: Vocal
Billy Peterson: Bass

Michael
Larry Long: Lead Vocal, Guitar
Claudia Schmidt: Vocal
Billy Peterson: Bass

American Hymn
Larry Long: Lead Vocal, Guitar
Claudia Schmidt: Vocal
Howard Levy: Harmonica
Doug Lofstrom: Bass
All songs written by Larry Long

Available on

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Larry’s music is available on Apple Music, Amazon, Spotify, Bandcamp and select e-tailers

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Review: Run for Freedom

Review

Larry Long’s Run for Freedom is a stirring and powerful album that blends storytelling with social activism, creating a work that is both personal and universal. Through a blend of folk, gospel, and Americana influences, Long crafts songs that speak to the struggles for justice and equality, while highlighting the resilience of those who have fought for freedom throughout history.

A Tribute to the Struggle for Justice

At its core, Run for Freedom is a tribute to those who have fought, and continue to fight, for freedom in all its forms. Long’s lyrics are deeply rooted in social justice, reflecting on the challenges of overcoming oppression, both past and present. The album covers a range of themes—from civil rights and labor struggles to the fight for racial and economic equality. With each song, Long emphasizes the importance of standing up for what’s right and continuing the work of those who came before us.

What makes this album stand out is its ability to balance the urgency of activism with a deep sense of humanity. Long doesn’t simply tell stories of struggle; he honors the individuals behind those stories, giving voice to their dreams, hopes, and perseverance.

Musical Composition and Arrangement

Musically, Run for Freedom is rich in acoustic arrangements, with guitars, banjos, and harmonicas all playing prominent roles in creating a sound that feels both timeless and contemporary. The arrangements are simple yet powerful, allowing the message of the music to take center stage. Long’s voice, full of warmth and conviction, carries each song with an authenticity that makes the themes resonate deeply.

The album’s pacing moves naturally from reflective, almost meditative tracks to rousing, anthemic songs that call listeners to action. Whether it’s a somber ballad or an upbeat celebration of collective strength, each track is thoughtfully crafted to support the message of unity and resilience.

Themes and Emotional Impact

Run for Freedom is not just a collection of protest songs—it’s an emotional journey that invites the listener to reflect on their own role in the fight for justice. The album is deeply moving, not just because of its subject matter, but because of the way Long connects with the listener on a personal level. The stories and struggles shared in the music are universal, yet they feel deeply individual, as if they are a direct conversation between the artist and the listener.

The themes of freedom, hope, and perseverance shine through in every song, creating an emotional arc that moves from struggle to empowerment. It’s an album that inspires action while acknowledging the heavy weight of history, reminding us that the fight for freedom is ongoing and requires the commitment of each generation.

Run for Freedom is a deeply impactful and thought-provoking album that uses music as a tool for social change. Larry Long’s ability to blend powerful storytelling with infectious melodies makes this album both a call to action and a celebration of the human spirit. It is a reminder that freedom is not just a destination but a journey—one that requires courage, determination, and the unwavering belief in a better, more just world. This album is an essential listen for anyone who believes in the power of music to inspire change and uplift the human spirit.