Customer Reviews

If I Had a Hammer: Songs of Hope & Struggle

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My introduction to Pete Seeger was when he contributed to the cancellation of "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" when he showed up in 1967 and sang "Waist Deep in the Big Muddy," a song which attacked the Vietnam War and President Lyndon Johnson, albeit through a metaphorical narrative. Eventually I learned that Seeger is arguably the key figure in the folk music movement of the 20th century, a living link between Woody Guthrie (Seeger and Guthrie formed the Almanac Singers) and Bob Dylan. But certainly Seeger was more passionate about politics, the environment, and humanity than either of those gigantic figures. The fact that he was blacklisted during the McCarthy era is enough to establish his bona fides, but so is his career, begun in the late 1930s and continuing through several wars, a dozen causes, and thousands of union meetings. Then there are Seeger's Folkways recordings, that were the first sound of authentic American folk music heard by countless children.

"If I Had a Hammer: Songs of Hope & Struggle" is a collection of the best of Seeger's Folkways recordings from the late 1950s and early 1960s. This is the Pete Seeger who was always singing for a cause, and after the original 1956 version of "If I Had a Hammer," written by Seeger and fellow Weaver Lee Hays, you can see how these songs are organized by common themes. First up are songs about the struggle of the American unions and labor movement (tracks 2-9), which offers "Which Side Are You On?", "Casey Jones (The Union Scab)," "Joe Hill," Guthrie's "Union Maid," and, of course, "Solidarity Forever," all sung by Seeger in his clear voice accompanied by the banjo.

Beginning with "Where Have the Flowers Gone?," Seeger's other most recognizable original tune, the songs deal with the peace movement (tracks 10-14), which includes "Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream" and "Study War No More (Down by the Riverside"). Starting with Leadbelly's "Burgeois Blues" and ending with the traditional "We Shall Overcome," are songs about the civil rights struggle (tracks 15-18). The final segment of the album (tracks 19-26) are devoted to general songs of hope and struggle, the most recognizable of which will be "Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season") late doen by the Byrds. There are also a couple of songs recorded in 1998, "We'll All Be A-Doubling" and "Arrange and Rearrange," which show that in recent years the voice has become weaker but that the spirit remains strong.

The liner notes are instructive, detailing the origins of each song and how they have changed over the years. When you listen to these songs you too will become convinced that the only authentic folk music is about political ideas. But then Seeger and Lee Hays, along with Ronnie Gilbert and Fred Hellerman, formed the Weavers who popularized more traditional folksongs and spirituals like "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine," and "Goodnight Irene." To fully appreciate American folk music you simply have to have both a Weavers hit collection and a collection of Seeger's Folksway songs, like "If I Had a Hammer: Songs of Hope & Struggle."

I learned many of the songs on this album (Union Maid, Banks of Marble, Joe Hill, Which Side Are You On, Solidarity Forever,etc.) when I went to Camp Kinderland from 1972 - 75. Unfortunately, I couldn't find recordings of these songs once I went off to college in the 1980s. I did find one or two songs on old scratchy records in my folks' record collection, but that was it. What a joy to listen to these songs! I learned quite a few new tunes from the CD. The newly released songs are quite a hoot. I sang "Step by Step" in a chorus Mr. Seeger organized for a Labor Day celebration this year, and referred to the CD for practice on my own. The liner notes are informative and the choice of songs superb. Pete Seeger is a part of American history and these recordings are precious indeed! This CD has renewed my interest in folk and protest music.

This is the most conceptually complete Pete Seeger compilation as far as I'm concerned (unfortunately, tho, it lacks some Columbia era comps: "Bells Of Rhymney" "Waist Deep In the Muddy," etc.). However, this collection compiles what are Seeger's forte: rally songs--songs that motivate people to take social stands. The collection also contains his most definitive versions of some of his best known songs (e.g., Where Have All the Flowers Gone, We Shall Overcome), unlike the Columbia "Greatest Hits" version, which limits itself solely to Columbia recordings. This collection, on the other hand, spans over 4 decades. The earliest recordings are from 1955, and the latest 2 songs were recorded in 1998 especially for this collection. Also it has a previously unreleased tape recording of "Turn Turn Turn." Most of the recordings are from the late 50s and early 60s--a period, indeed, that were "a-changin," as a Seeger mentor would go on to say. Beautiful music for those who believe in a good cause or two.

Pete Seeger, the golden throated voice of the peace movement speaks for all of us through this recording. His unrivaled banjo and 12-string guitar ring resound through this recording. Thank God for Pete Seeger!

Most of the songs are a really nice representation of all the things Seeger supported. It's more tilted toward organized labor than peace. Some of the songs are less than professional versions of the songs for which he is known - I guess it is because the recordings are quite old (nearing 50 years!). If you like folk music, it's a nice buy, but get it at a cheap price because it isn't something you'll listen to over and over again.

This review is being used to describe several of Pete Seeger's recordings. Although I have listened to most of his songs and recordings these represent those that best represent his life's work.

My musical tastes were formed, as were many of those of the generation of 1968, by `Rock and Roll' music exemplified by the Rolling Stones and Beatles and by the blues revival, both Delta and Chicago style. However, those forms as much as they gave pleasure were only marginally political at best. In short, these were entertainers performing material that spoke to us. In the most general sense that is all one should expect of a performer. Thus, for the most part that music need not be reviewed here. Those who thought that a new musical sensibility laid the foundations for a cultural or political revolution have long ago been proven wrong.

That said, in the early 1960's there nevertheless was another form of musical sensibility that was directly tied to radical political expression- the folk revival. This entailed a search for roots and relevancy in musical expression. While not all forms of folk music lent themselves to radical politics it is hard to see the 1960's cultural rebellion without giving a nod to such figures as Dave Van Ronk, the early Bob Dylan, Utah Phillips, Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie and others. Whatever entertainment value these performers provided they also spoke to and prodded our political development. They did have a message and an agenda and we responded as such. That these musicians' respective agendas proved inadequate and/or short-lived does not negate their affect on the times.

As I have noted in my review of Dave Van Ronk's work when I first heard folk music in my youth I felt unsure about whether I liked it or not. As least against my strong feelings about the Rolling Stones and my favorite blues artist such as Howling Wolf and Elmore James. Then on some late night radio folk show here in Boston I heard Dave Van Ronk singing `Come All You Fair and Tender Ladies' and that was it. From that time to the present folk music has been a staple of my musical tastes. From there I expanded my play list of folk artists with a political message, including obviously Pete Seeger.

Although I had probably heard Seeger's `Had I a Golden Thread' at some earlier point I actually learned about his music secondhand from a recording of Songs of the Spanish Civil War which included `Viva la Quince Brigada' a tribute to the American Abraham Lincoln Battalion of the International Brigades. Since I was intensely interested in that fight in Spain and in that "premature anti-fascist" organization I was hooked. While like Woody Guthrie Seeger's influence has had its ebbs and flows since that time each succeeding generation of folk singers still seems to be drawn to his simple, honest tunes about the previous political struggles and the ordinary people who made this country, for good or evil what it is today.

Pete's relationship with the American Communist Party while no secret is not widely known. As with Woody what is interesting is that the subjects of his songs fairly closely reflect the party line as it changed to reflect the winds blowing from Moscow. Pete's best work, like Woody's is reflected in the People's Front style of ` Where Have All The Flowers Gone' and the above-mentioned "Golden Thread" reflecting that party's further development of its class collaborationist policy with the Democratic Party. Thus, they gave up on the fight for an indpendent working party based on its own program. Political differnces between us aside, listen to his recordings and learn about hard times and struggle of an earlier period.

Pete Seeger/If I had Hammer-Songs of Hope & Struggle (Folkways): It seems that Pete would have been happy to suppress his own political views while he was a part of The Weavers. However, when the congress' "Red Scare" put an end to even that harmless Folk Group, Pete decided that he might as well be hung as a sheep if they were going to come after him as a lamb. The result is wonderfully represented in this jam-packed single CD. After the title track, the songs are presented under four headings: 1) Solidarity forever (Unions and Labor) - 2) Study War no more (Peace) - 3) We shall overcome (Civil Rights) - and 4) I'd hammer in the evening (Hope). Now if you think that such an obviously (leftist) political album couldn't possible be entertaining or fun, you would be wrong. This is a highly entertaining album (even for a conservative). So don't let it scare you, do yourself a favor and get this album.

I purchased this CD in order to get a nice digital copy of "Had I a Golden Thread." I like most of the selections (heavily union songs) but just wish that the producers had taken more trouble to make excellent versions of each song. I often wondered why a track was selected because Pete Seeger sounded as if he were having a bad day or it seemed as if the studio were using bad mikes or recording equipment.
On the more positive side, there are at least twenty-six songs, which is a lot for a single CD.

Pete was famous for his left-wing politics, strongly in support of industrial trade unions and against war. This collection brings together his best political songs, which are enjoyable even for those (like me) who disagree with him. Although they were a product of their times, some of these songs prove that some things never change, being just as valid (or not) today as they were back then.

The compilation is arranged with all the songs for each theme grouped together. The title track serves as an introduction, and is followed by eight songs about workers and unions, then five songs championing peace, then four civil rights songs, ending with eight songs of hope, the last being the title track again.

Pete recorded many albums of political songs, so this CD can only offer a small sample, but the essentials are here, including Where have all the flowers gone, We shall overcome and Turn turn turn - this last song, taking its lyrics from the Book of Revelations in the bible, became famous after the Byrds covered it.

While some will regard most of these songs as confirming their beliefs, those who disagree can listen to them, partly with amusement and partly as a reminder that a significant number of people agree with Pete, so nothing should ever be taken for granted. I only wish that people with different political views could express themselves equally effectively. All the great political singers take a left-wing stance, though not always as far left as Pete. Perhaps the political right never felt the need to sing about their beliefs.

The CD comes with an extensive booklet describing how many of these songs came to be written (not always by Pete) as far as is known. Like the songs themselves, you can enjoy reading about them whatever your politics.

A great album from a long time gone, when there was still
a real union in america. You'll tend to like it
if you earn a working folks salary and hate it if you don't.
that is too say, if your a corporate parasite, and many of you will be, you'll find it a mite uncomfortable.
all folks are not created equal, as long as daddy can grease them
ole wheels,

the struggle continues.. but for most americans, just as a bowel movement..