Customer Reviews

Album 1700

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is my favorite Peter, Paul & Mary album; it's one I've listened to my whole life, many, many times. I want to respond to those reviewers who classified Big Blue Frog as a "silly children's song." I hear it as a very clear commentary on inter-racial marriage. "The neighbors are against it and it's clear to me, and it's probably clear to you -- they think value on their property will go right down, if the family next door is blue." As in The Great Mandela (an anti-war song), and I Dig Rock & Roll Music (a parody), PP&M are making a statement, as they did with many of their songs. Another reviewer said they were pop more than folk. While folk music became popular music when the album first came out, they certainly carry on the folk tradition of telling it like it is and taking a stand on issues.

I have worn out my old vinyl recording of this album. It was always playing on someone's record player in the dorm when I was in college in the '60s. It is an essential album for those in college now to hear, to know that 'The '60s' wasn't ALL about the Beatles. The harmonies of these three extraordinary performers has always held me spellbound i.e. "Rolling Home". The plaintive melody and lyric combination of "Jet Plane" is lovingly handled by the trio. "I Dig" is a marvelous example of PP&M's ability to take a poke at Rock's biggies of the era. My favorite, though, and one of my all-time favorite songs is "Great Mandela". The simplicity of the opening guitar work contrasts strikingly with the opening lyrics which quickly draw you in to this deep, dark song. The trio's harmony becomes jarring as the the song escalates and drives home its emphatic message. Then there is a quiet, almost eery, denouement that leaves you vaguely unsettled afterwards. For those who want to know what living through the controversial era of the Vietnam War was like, this song and its masterful handling by Peter, Paul & Mary is powerful listening.

At one point in time, American folk music crossed over from the time-frozen traditional--then sold mass-market by Burl Ives--to the more iconoclastic as represented by icon-in-his-own-right Bob Dylan. After awhile, given America's 20th century social upheaval, it was no longer as easy as it once was to care whether or not Jimmy cracked any corn. Peter Paul and Mary lived during both eras and managed to survive in both. This album more than any other represents their "border crossing"--and it contained two of their most popular songs: a faithful rendition of John Denver's "Leaving On a Jet Plane" which I heard years before Denver's own version and "I Dig Rock & Roll Music", a tribute to the Mamas and the Papas, the most successful mixed-gender folk rock group of all time. Despite these two powerful radio hits, however, the most powerful song in here is the antiwar anthem "The Great Mandella", a simple yet dynamic tune about the head-on collision between the World War II generation and the Boomer generation over the Vietnam issue. The beauty of this song is that none of the three verses is "in the voice" of the protester himself as was usually the case with an antiwar song. Verse one is from the viewpoint of his infuriated father, the other two are quasi-journalistic views by society in general of his imprisonment and hunger strike. As Tom Brokaw rhapsodises over "The Greatest Generation", it is easy to forget that this particular generation saw no other practical use for their male issue than as cannon fodder. Very practical--neither we nor the Vietnamese they had sent us over to fight were seen as being worth the powder to blow us to Kingdom Come. And thanks to sound recording (invented well before the birth of either generation), this album with this song on it are still available to set the record straight, Brokaw's efforts notwithstanding.

Simple, melodic, soothing and wonderful. I love everything about this album. My favorite tracks are the more obscure "Whatshername" , "Bob Dylans Dream" and "If I had wings". The melodies and lyrics take you back to old friends, first love, and living life on your own terms. I love this album not because the music is especially great, but because it makes me feel great.

This is a great CD. It's just as fresh as when I listened to it 35 years ago in childhood. PP and M, a much greater influence on me than I ever realized! :)

This album (now CD) displays incredible musical variation in both style and sound. From highly-produced pieces ("I Dig..") to traditional folk at its best ("Jet Plane", "If I Had Wings"). The harmony is great, and perhaps the best existing version of "Rolling Home" is on this CD.

1967 will alwys be remembered as the year that a) the Beatles released "Sgt. Pepper's..." b) the Beach Boys released "Pet Sounds". Well, boys and girls, those weren't the only two classic albums released that year: "Surrealistic Pillow" (Jefferson Airplane), "The Velvet Underground and Nico", "Headquarters" (The Monkees), "Are You Experienced" (Jimi Hendrix) and others were all released that year and have their devoted fans. However, the album from that year that spends more time on my turntable (now my CD player) is "Album 1700" by Peter, Paul and Mary. From the cover photo with the group in Bonnie and Clyde drag, you know that this was not going to be a typical 'folkie' album (actually, PP&M were always a pop group and did very few folk songs - ever). From Eric Anderson's "Rolling Home" with Paul Butterfield on the mouth harp to the hit single, "Rock and Roll Music", this album was chock full of good songs and great arrangements. The incrediby strange "Weep for Jamie" and "The Great Mandela" are still covered by coffe house singers and sensitive young people who sing with their eyes closed. Even "Big Blue Frog" has its fans. My favorite track is Paul Stookey's "What's Her Name?", a jazz trio arrangement for voice, nylon string guitar and bass. The only weak track, in my opinion is a cover of "Bob Dylan's Dream", a mediocre song that a great arrangement cannot improve. This album faded quickly from view only to resurface two years later when John Denver's "Leaving on a Jet Plane" became a monster international hit in 1969. A side note: the instrumentation is sparse and low in the mix allowing the vocals to shine (no double-tracking or other studio tricks, either) - no loud anything here. Also, you just gotta love any album from the 60s that has three string bass solos and no guitar solos. The CD version is fairly unique among current classic re-issues: no bonus tracks! This is a good thing as the album holds up quite well 35+ years later. Despite the hit, it ain't rock 'n roll... but I still like it.

Peter, Paul and Mary/ Album 1700: The three big hits here are their interpretation of John Denver's "Leaving on a Jet Plane" (a version that helped bring fame to the young songwriter), their own "I Dig Rock and Roll Music" and "The Song is Love". The other fine cut (though not a hit) on this album is Stookey's "The House Song". Therefore, there are four wonderful cuts here, but that is only one-third of the album. The rest of the album is fair. This album comes close to being great but the filler brings it down a notch. Nevertheless, those four gems make this an album to own, despite its flaws.

I had a cassete of Album 1700 but it got eaten by the player. I couldn't find the CD of this album but thanks to Amazon and ImportDCs.com, I was able to quickly get this CD delivered.

I can't imagine listening to Peter, Paul, and Mary without this album included in my collection- it is definitive of them and the group at its best. As well as great music it also has deep messages worth hearing no matter what your political views may be. I'm just sorry my recommendation does little justice to this extraordinarily gifted group and album.

Beautiful now as it was then. PP&M break out to newer songwriters, new sounds. Tenderness attached me at the social times when the right and left drew away from each other. I stayed here in this moment. Compassion, the very concept, drives some among us to apoplexy. For me, thank you, PP&M, it set me on a path of gentility, kindness and service to those who need a hand.
Namaste' , my sweet road companions!