Customer Reviews

Essential Pete Seeger

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"The Essential *LIVE* Pete Seeger" would be a more accurate title for this CD. Nine of the 15 tracks here are live recordings which, in the case of "Barbara Allen," or "Little Boxes" isn't particularly a problem but on far too many of the songs, "John Henry," "This Land is Your Land," "Guantanamera," "Michael Row The Boat Ashore," and some others, the live performances are "audience participation sing-a-longs" which means that the anonymous audience drowns out Seeger's vocals to the point that it hardly seems fair to deem them Seeger recordings. In at least one case, "Wimoweh," the sound quality of the recording is so poor, and the audience so dominant, it is a wonder why it ever was considered for inclusion onto this CD. Then there is the CD's length. Clocking in at less than 50 minutes seems pretty ludicrous given that a single CD can hold about 80 minutes of music and given the treasure trove of Seeger recordings that sit gathering dust in the vaults.

With the new attention being given Seeger by Bruce Springsteen's CD "We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions" it is a pity there is not a more comprehensive compilation to introduce Seeger to those unfamiliar with his work and legacy. Even more frustrating is the rather halfhearted toss off one Sony has given us here.

An excellent sampling of some of folk music's most important and enduring songs. There are more comprehensive collections of Seeger's songbook, but if you're looking for a budget-priced single-CD compilation, you can't go wrong with this one.

I fell in love with that tune by Malvina Reynolds, "Little Boxes," which also happens to be on the themesong to "Weeds," a t.v. show on Showtime; however, it made me remember Pete Seeger. I grew up listening to his patriotic music, music of the common man, etc, as a child. I got this CD and was not disappointed... it bought me right back to my childhood.

A must have for any serious collector. I would reccomend this item to anyone interested in folk music and who wants a great collection of Seeger's hits.

this man understands the basic essence of America, and how politics has warped it. Fixing the current morass seems impossible, but his vision and energy would give us a chance...

Born of musical parents in 1919,and starting his musical career in the 30's ,and now approaching 92;Pete Seeger was part of the Folk Music revivalfrom the beginning,and after over 70 years of songwriting,and performing,he has been and still is the person who best defines American Folk Music.
This is an excellent collection of some of his most well known and popular songs.
There is nothing here that is what one could call new,as these songs have for many years become part of America's Musical culture.
There are several reviews that comment on the quality of the sound on this CD;but one has to keep in mind that most of the Folk Music revival took place in clubs,festivals,in parks,sing songs,campfire meetings,on the streets, and every imaginable live venue; as opposed to private ,elaborate,recording studios.After all,that is what Folk Music is all about,it's the music of the people.Often led by one or two singers ,one or two acoustic instruments,and the people joining in.
So that's what you are going to get with this CD.It gives you these songs with the sounds that were intended and all of them were recorded at live venues during the height of the Folk Music revival in the 50's and 60's.What you are also going to get is the voice of Pete Seeger when it was at its best ,in his 40's.
Even if you already have Pete singing these songs,you will also find this CD a fine additiion to your collection.The CD also comes with an 11-page booklet of Liner Notes,Testimonials and Rare Photos.

Ole Pete Seeger's been at it a while. This CD, "The Essential Pete Seeger," includes the just-for-fun "Goodnight Irene" and the traditional "Barbara Allen," along with social conscience songs such as ""If I Had a Hammer," "Where Have All the Flowers Gone," and "We Shall Overcome." The last-named was his before it became the marching song for MLK and the Civil Rights Movement.

I didn't know that I knew Pete, but I first "met" him when he was with The Weavers back in the early 1950s. Then, decades later, I realized that song-leader voice in "On Top of Old Smokey" and other Weavers numbers was none other than Mr. Seeger.

What a guy! Still at it in his nineties!

This collection of some of Pete Seeger's most beloved renditions is a must-have for anyone who loves folk music, and even for the non-folkies this is a part of who we are today.

I knew just what I was getting when I made my purchase - I just didn't realize how much I was getting in the way of nostalgia.

This album works as an introduction to Pete Seeger's work and as a concise archive for his long-time fans. The selections are generously varied and accurately representative. Most importantly, the sequence of the selections proceeds from segue to segue in ever more gratifying succession. The audio quality is excellent throughout.

This is a good CD, but the recording quality is a bit uneven, since many of these songs were recorded as much as 50 years ago. Glad I have it.