Customer Reviews

American Favorite Ballads, Vol. 1

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Since my youth I have had an ear for roots music, whether I was conscious of that fact or not. The original of that interest first centered on the blues, then early rock and roll and later, with the folk revival of the early 1960's, folk music. I have often wondered about the source of this interest. I am, and have always been a city boy, and an Eastern city boy at that. Nevertheless, over time I have come to appreciate many more forms of roots music than in my youth. The subject of the following review is an example.

I have done reviews of Pete Seeger's more political albums and need not address those issues here. These volumes of American classics with Pete and banjo are the songs you learned mysteriously in your youth, apparently by osmosis. As each song goes along you find yourself singing along to at least part of the song. These songs go deep into the popular culture and the roots of what makes those of us who were born here conscious of the musical influences that formed our lives. You may not like every song but the total effect will grab you.

Pete Seeger's five "American Favorite Ballads" LPs were the basic documents of American folk music for generations. No dusty museum pieces, though - they were lively, funny, inspirational, joyous. It is delightful to see them begin to appear now on CD, especially fleshed out, as this volume is, with appropriate additional tracks from his other out-of-print Folkways LPs (how about getting some of those out on CD?). Essential in every way.

I originally bought this cd in order to see if I wanted to buy the entire set. After listening to it, I do. Seeger brings these favorites to life bringing in some unfamiliar lyrics that I am sure were closer to the original spirit of the songs than the ones that we all learned in grade school. The simple accompaniment adds to the attraction of the songs.

what can you say about pete seeger? the man and his music are inseparable. he has not only been singing and performing since before world war II, he has spent decades using music as a peaceful method to bring about change. he has fought for the working man at a time when unions were badly needed and cleaned up the hudson river at a time when that was badly needed. i read recently that he was nominated for the 2007 nobel peace prize and i couldn't think of anyone more deserving. the album is classic pete, wonderful to listen to, thought provoking, and in the way that is very pete seeger, listening to it is more like having a friend picking in your living room than listening to a cd.

For those of us who love the music of Pete Seeger, here is a chance to listen to the esential musician. The songs are all performed in a straight-ahead, unembellished manner. What comes through is the talent of Pete for taking a "simple" song and bringing out the depth of it.

These are the melodies which represent an heritage of american way of life during the century of the war between states.

Many of the words of the ballads evidence genuine foklore.

The way Seegers sings is of a unique quality

I own the whole set of Pete Seeger and all his music.. he is truly an America treasure.. this album and the others is a pleasure to listen to..

This was the first purchase I made in the American Favorite Ballads series and it's my favorite. I've also got vol 3 and 4. They're good too but most of the songs on this volume are known to me since my youth. That's why this volume is my favorite.

This is a great set of songs by a great singer in surprisingly good audio quality.