Customer Reviews

In These Times

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Peter, Paul and Mary transformed themselves from Greenwich Village folk singers to part of the nation's social conscience when they marched with Dr. Martin Luther King in the early `60s. Their history includes taking stands for civil rights (both in the U.S. and later in South Africa, among other places), the labor movement, peace in Southeast Asia, and equal rights. Add respect for all humans in schools, communities, and society along with peace in the Middle East to that list and you begin to form a picture of how this trio has refused to mellow as time marches on.

"In These Times" covers the gamut of the struggle for rights and respect from its Woody Guthrie inspired opening medley to the poignant portrayal of the Mathew Shepard tragedy in Wyoming in "Jesus Is on the Wire". "Don't Laugh At Me" has become the anthem of various movements, from bully-proofing our schools to teaching tolerance in everyday human relations.

The selections on this CD pay tribute to PP&M's folk roots with a rousing "Wayfaring Stranger". "It's Magic", a perennial Noel Paul Stookey favorite in their concert dates, describes life's indescribable moments and why they should be left to be that way. Closing with "Oh, Had I A Golden Thread" serves as a nod to "The Hammer Song" co-composer Pete Seeger, and bookends the CD perfectly.

The voices are 40-plus years older than the self-titled debut album of Peter, Paul and Mary, but resonate with wisdom and caring from the ages. Peter Yarrow has never crooned more beautifully than "Don't Laugh At Me". Mary Travers' declarative spirit has never rung truer than in "Have You Been to Jail for Justice". Noel? Well, the guy is just good!

There are many ways to vote in this country. Soon, we'll be asked to choose between candidates, one of whom wants to amend our constitution to make it illegal for two people who love each other to marry. We can vote for that man and his policies or for another who opposes those policies. We can also vote, and show solidarity, by buying this CD and sharing it with our friends. Many of them will be surprised at its fiery message. Many more will be amazed by the incredible quality of its performances. And many will want to share it with their friends, and so on...

How can we keep from singing?

Is it possible after so many years of performance and recording that it is still possible to produce fresh and lasting material? In the case of "In These Times" PP&M have proven that with experience and with living comes true wisdom. There is material on this CD that deserves to join all of the other songs for which this group is so rightfully famous. Listen to "Some Walls," "It's Magic," "Oh, Had I a Golden Thread" and most importantly, "Don't Laugh at Me" and hear for yourself. I bought this CD out of loyalty and admiration for these three extraordinary human beings. But I listen to it over and over out of the sheer joy of listening to people who understand and communicate the magic that it is possible in human life. BRAVO!

I have been a fan of Peter Paul And Mary for 12 years now. I never knew that they could still be talentend even today 43 years later. On this album the song "Don't Laugh At Me" speaks directly to the subject on respect, teaches people not to make fun of people's race or what they where on their teeth such as braces to make their teeth get stronger. I basicly like all the selections They believe in JUSTICE,PEACE, AND DIGNITY of every person. I strongly urge all people who visit this website to ORDER this album today. ITS GREAT!!!

Marvelous recording. No question about it! Most interesting tracks I think are "Have You Been to Jail for Justice? Listen Listen "Jesus Is on the Wire" They are putting their politics out there for everyone to see here. and "Don't Laugh at Me" I thought of my severely autistic boy named Stephen when I heard this song, and was shaken to the core in my concern for his social welfare and how he will get along in life when I'm not there to protect him. I found this reviewer's thoughts very interesting:


"Martin Luther King, Gandhi and the 60's belong to my deepest memories, to those true ethical principles I still belive in. So Peter, Paul and Mary... listening to you here..to you talking about the ways to bring down those WALLS; to you singing to Jesus on the Wire, calling for love and understanding and not for those expresions of dark fascism so common these days; to you coming to life again with your unique vocal and harmonic blend, to you giving a hand to those who've been to jail for justice."

The central great message of PPM is that they promote tolerance in human interactions, a kind of tolerance that if lived, would save this violent world from itself. Great Job!!!

God Speed to Mary Travers who has been bravely battling cancer.


Jeffrey McAndrew
author of "Our Brown-Eyed Boy"

Well; I can't just write a cold "matter of fact" review about this CD. I grew up with my father, a strong democrat man and a faithful P,P & M fan. Deep in my heart, and for years, I've sung the Day is Done, Blowing in the Wind, 500 Miles...How can I keep from singing? It's the very core of my childhood. I'm a musician, a choral conductor, a strong lover of Spirituals and Gospel music. Martin Luther King, Gandhi and the 60's belong to my deepest memories, to those true ethical principles I still belive in. So Peter, Paul and Mary... listening to you here..to you talking about the ways to bring down those WALLS; to you singing to Jesus on the Wire, calling for love and understanding and not for those expresions of dark fascism so common these days; to you coming to life again with your unique vocal and harmonic blend, to you giving a hand to those who've been to jail for justice. P.,P&M...Guys ..I LOVE YOU! There are still great folks out there, even IN THESE HORROFIC TIMES of the Iraq invasion and the building of new "Berlin Walls" to punish the Palestinian children. It's so warm and refreshing just listening to you, knowing that you're still there, together with Joan Baez, and Dylan, and Serrat in Spain, and Myriam Makeba in Africa, and Milanés in Cuba. God bless you to. Keep on singing, now an EVERY TIME. Amazon reviewers: This is a MUST BUY!

"In These Times" is an excellent set by the great surviving trio of the folk era. Peter, Paul & Mary's new set is more fun than we've had since "no free speech zones" were established by the Patriot Act! "The Union Medley" is a rousing collection of great traditional labor songs by Woody Guthrie & others. "Jesus on the Wire" is a sad ballad about religious intolerance. The traditional "Wayfaring Stranger" gets a peppy rendition. Peter, Paul & Mary have long had a knack for finding some of our fine young songwriters. On "Invisible People" they sing one cowritten by one my obscure favorites, Craig Carothers, about folks with troubles that most pass by. Mary Ann Kennedy, Pam Rose (of Kennedy Rose) and Randy Sharp wrote "Some Walls," a sweet haunting song, "Some walls are lined with gold where some hearts stay safe & cold; Some walls are made of doubt, holding in & keeping out." "All God's Critters" is a great song that's a delightful tune that children and adults love. Pete Seeger's "Oh, Had I A Golden Thread" ends the set with a stately melody. This is an excellent collection. Peter, Paul & Mary's voices have weathered some over the years, but their spirits are strong, as is their commitment to positive social change. Enjoy!

God bless Peter, Paul and Mary. Their music may not sound quite as good as it did 40 years ago-- although they have nothing to be ashamed of on this album-- their message remains the same: we must fight oppression wherever we find it. (Actually this great group now includes positive songs about gay people, something they probably couldn't have gotten away with in the early 60's.) According to the information included with the CD, a portion of the royalties from the sale of it goes to People For The American Way Foundation, an organization dear to many of our hearts.

Most of the songs on this CD are new, according to the copyright dates, and most of them celebrate diversity. There are of course some of the classic composers of this sort of song included here from Woody Guthrie to Pete Seeger. But there is also a moving tribute to Matthew Shepherd ("Jesus Is On The Wire") and one of my favorites called "Some Walls." Pete Seeger's "Oh, Had I A Golden Thread," the final cut on this CD will make your spine tingle and/or your eyes burn. The group sings this beautiful classic very slowly accompanied only be a mandolin and a obbligato-like lick by a harmonica. Moving beyond words. These folks still sing well!

Listening to this CD, however, is bittersweet. I could not call a dear friend with whom I first attended a P, P and M concert many years ago and tell him to rush out and buy this great new CD. He fell to AIDS in 1988 during the reign of an American president who for years into his presidency could not utter the word in public, let alone, by his example, fight for better treatment if not a cure.

My parents introduced me to these artists when I was young and I still love the music they dish out. By far, my favorite song on this album is "Some Walls" but I like all the songs. Not only are they wonderfully performed and written but each carries a powerful message! A Definite Must-Buy

I have been a PP&M fan for thirty years and I was counting down the days until this cd was to be released and I was not disapointed. The songs are very moving and Mary's solo on Jesus On The Wire is breathtaking. I am hoping for many more releases from this fabulous trio. Buy this cd.

Finally, after many albums, they sing alone! No chorus, no "guests." Classic, 100% PP&M, just like the good old days! Bravo.