Customer Reviews

Peter, Paul and Mary - Carry It On - A Musical Legacy

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

PP&M have generously allowed some of their concerts to be filmed so that PBS could use them for fund raising. That is where I first saw this program and I had to have the DVD because it gets behind the concerts to show us how the trio got together, how they work together, why they are so unique, and what they have meant to the history of the United States (and a lot of other places, like El Salvador). Their music has consistently called Americans to live into the ideals stated in the founding documents of our country and to be compassionate to all who do not have the privileges white Middle Class Americans enjoy. I not only agree with them, I am energized by them to reach for those good things. This DVD is a treasured retrospective on their career and crusades, and I can't think of any follower of PP&M in all of the generations they have touched who would not love it.

Well...finally you lie down and take a sweet and deep breath. In these times of plain money music, of the abundance of marketing and the absolute lack of ideals, Peter Paul and Mary give you their honest, their lovely testimony of the true meaning of popular music. Ever since the start of human civilization, from India, China or Greece to the Plain Chant of the Middle Ages, popular music has stood up as a transparent reflection of our most sacred longings and aspirations as human beings. Our hopes, our despair, the way we love, our desire for true human understandig, the transcendent living within us...all that has been expressed through the poetical and the musical aspects of folk art. Well...this is it! The peace movement of the 60's, Luther King, the strong criticism to US atrocities in El Salvador during the Reagan administration, the voice of freedom, the call to respect, and not to hate, the "different", the honest carrer of three talented folk singers who still captivate millions for a clear and simple reason: they still have something to say; they're still willing to say it aloud and they choose beautiful vocal harmonies and a magnificent musical climate to say it! Anyone wondering why these times are not producing honesty ant talent like this? THE ANSWER, MY FRIEND....Please watch this DVD carefully. The message is clear: true music survives because it comes from the deepest and the most sacred sides of our human souls. And that's exactly what these contemporary money makers never even touch!

...in the words of ppm themselves. But words get the nod on this video. I had been hoping that this would have been pure complete songs with a little discussion to hold everything together through time. A journey told in music. Unfortunately, it is mainly a presentation, via interviews, of what has held ppm together for 43 years, with bits and pieces of songs thrown in. So if you're looking for complete on-stage or in-studio video versions of the vast majority of songs listed you will be disappointed. For example, after building up (narration) to a rendition of "I Dig Rock & Roll Music," the video cuts away from the priceless Jonathan Winters Show performance to more "analysis." Never to return.

Now, the production is first-rate, and it IS wonderful to see the early videos, but unfortunately for me, they're just teasers, and sadly not the point of the video. I get to hear too many times in too many ways why social activism is such an important thing in their music and relationship. I heard that message the first time. Didn't need to hear it over and over again from Ronnie Gilbert, Pete Seeger, Tom Paxton, Richie Havens, Phil Ramone and others and the Trio (multiple times from each). Until a true music video comes out, though, I'll gladly settle for this in the meantime.

It is about time that Peter, Paul & Mary release this incredible collection of truly a 3 some of great talents. There isn't a folk group that touch their sensitivity, professional delivery of there musical performance. I have followed this group for 40 years and their enthusiam for the celebration of the human spirit hasn't waned an inch. They are as vibrant as ever. You won't go wrong on this purchase. It is handsomely packaged with great care.

If there was a disappointment it would be that the DVD that was enclosed had some pretty shakey video and audio reproductions. However, with an understanding of what was retrievable in "those days" it was still appreciated.
This reviewer asks the group "When can you release a new concert of your work guys? IT WILL SELL.

BUY IT. You will enjoy and treasure this release

I only recently became a fan of Peter, Paul, and Mary.

Mary Travers is and was a very sexy talented artist. I can't take my eyes off her when she is on the screen. She has a light that shines. Peter and Paul are great musicians, singers, and political activists. The 3 of them made history and their history is documented on this great DVD. The history of America is told throught the music of Peter, Paul, and Mary. This DVD should be shown in classrooms in order for younger people to learn that activism and caring about others is something to strive for.

After reading the EDITOR's so called review of this wonderful trio. I got so upset I was ready to empty my shopping cart and never shop here again! Those of us who shop for DVD's of our favorite groups/singers do not want to hear about how they have lost their hair or their figures! That was so unnessesary! Not to mention the slam of the song "Puff the magic dragon". This was such a huge hit and a wonderful memory from a childhood long gone. I have several of the P,P & M albums on my iPod and will continue to add them till there are no more. My favorite song? "The Marvelous Toy". They did a childs album that will make you smile while you are listening to them.I don't know if this song is in this DVD, but I hope to find it someday if it isn't. Yes, they were radical for the era they came from. I give the editor that. But let's leave the comments about hair and waistsize out of your reviews. Someday, I hope this editor can look in the mirror and not see a fat balding idiot.

More over, if you get a chance to watch this group, take it. Those of us that lived the 60's will remember these songs and find ourselves singing along with them.

Excellent overview of their whole careers. Good selection of songs and locations. Fun for fans. Also a good summary for those who have never heard them or seen them before. Recommend it for all ages.

If you are looking for a concert, this is not one to buy, this is a documentary of Peter, Paul and Mary playing their songs. When I first started looking at it, I was disappointed. I kept listening and it brought back the history of that time listening to them and the feelings that they shared. It really was not political, even though I disagree with some of their opinions in their music, it was a statement. The music made a peacefull statement, not the cop killer statements in some of the music today. It was truely GREAT!! It showed them singing in the past and singing together today. It was truely a pleasure to watch and re-live the memories, but I am only 39...so how would I know? NOT!! The only thing that I would have liked to seen was the comedy that they performed in their concerts in this DVD.

for ANY PETER,PAUL& MARY fan!!! There are lots of clips from their earlier years 1961-1970, and clips from 1978-2004.....keep in mind..I'm sure you know by now that Mary Travers left this world in 2009,and so there are no clips that go all the way upto now, if you want that you will have to wait until Noel, and Peter come out with something.

They are still singing together afterall. Um....THIS documentary here includes a 2003/4 rendition of their very first song ever sung together as a trio....Mary had A Little Lamb in 1961. I wish however, that there was actual footage of them singing that song THEN, and lots more clips from their early years as that is when they were such a smash success. When I see clips from their shows, like at the March On Washoington 1963, and 1969,and on Jonathan Winters in 1969 and I see the floweredress Mary's wearing, I'm reminded of the flower children, I wasn't born until 1967, so that was a generation or two before my time!!

But if you take an interest in the Sixties, and politics, social, political activism, oh yeah and folk music too, this is a great beginners start. It's also good if you're older and want to take a stroll down memory lane.

But PP&M were always a current folk group, who didn't want to be labeled as a "nostalgia act," in the early 2000's they came out with a tear-jerker called "Jesus Is On The Wire," which I'm surmising is not only about homosexuals and the need to respect their rights to live their lives the same as do straight people,
I also think the title is suggestive of the horrendous murder of Mathew Shepherd was beaten to a bloody pulp, hung on a barbed wire fence, and left to die...when asked why they did that to him , they said it was because he was gay. I think it's wonderful that PP&M, straight as they are, rose to the occasion in this very sad but important song.

Last but not least, I enjoy clip from Peter Paul& Mommy Too, a heart warming footage of Mary with her grand daughter, Wyllie on her lap looking up at her, in the rocking chair quietly, and proud as ever listening while proud Grandma Mary Travers sang For Baby For Bobby. Just for her. The light just sparkles in Wyllie's brown eyes...you can tell she is in absolute heaven!! She adores her grandma!!

And Noel is his wacky old self on The Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly.
He gets all the kids excited, and laughing histerically as always.

Anyhow, I hope you consider this product,I've been a serious PP&M fan since 1984 and so I ought to know a good PP&M documentary when I see one.....THIS HAS OODLES AND OODLES OF COMMENTARY BY MANY PEOPLE including Pete Seeger, Phil Ramone,Tom Paxton, Ronnie Gilbert (of The Weavers.) Bob DeCormier (their director), as well as by PP&M THEMSELVES.

And that makes this very good indeed. Trust me.

As the title suggests, the film was produced in 2004 and so it includes some recent performances with some other artists. What came as a big surprise to me was seeing some members of the Weavers, some sang with them, and Pete Seeger who spoke and evaluated them so fairly.

If you haven't heard much of Peter, Paul and Mary, this DVD will give you almost a full taste of each of them, as each sings a number of solo songs by their own other than group singing. Here you will discover that not only are Peter and Mary magnetic and charming, Paul's singing is poetic too... I find this DVD rewarding enough.