Customer Reviews

Tomorrow's Children

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

 

 

What can you say about folksinger/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist/environmentalist/builder/activitist/American icon? The guy is a true legend. And, at age 91, he's still cranking out NEW albums. For his last album - 2 years ago - "Pete at 89" - he had help on a lot of the songs, and didn't even appear on a few tracks. This time his is on every track, whether it be providing a spoken introduction, taking lead vocal with his well-worn voice or providing instrumental backing on the banjo or 12-string guitar.

Seeger has always appealed to children. Many of us were raised on his 10-inch albums on Folkways. This is how Seeger is connecting with kids in the 21st century. He made a few visits to the 4th grade class at the elementary school in Beacon, NY where he lives and the kids gravitated to him immediately. Pete had them join him for his annual Martin Luther King Day concert in Beacon and it went over so well, he decided to include them on this album. There are old standard Seeger songs ("WE Shall Not Be Moved", "Quite Early Morning" and, of course, "Turn, Turn, Turn" - with a new intro spoken by Pete) but there are also new songs like "Solartopia" with a guest appearance by Dar Williams. The musicians backing Pete and the "Rivertown Kids" include multi-instrumentalist, composer and author David Amram (here listed as "Dave Amram").

Don't expect dulcet tones from Pete's vocal chords - which obviously are showing their age. But his enthusiasm and love for "the power of song" is highly evident. This is a good album to enjoy with your young kids as a "family event". When they hear the the Rivertown Kids sings along with Pete, they'll want to also. All that's missing are the printed lyrics.

The CD booklet does have brief liner notes on each of the 19 tracks.

Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"

If you have even the smallest shred of doubt that music can restore one's faith in the potential of human beings to make the world a better place, please take the time to listen (and then purchase!) this sampling of America's Singing Icon, Pete Seeger's, collection of tunes created with the children of his community in Upstate New York! At 90 years young, Pete's voice wavers and cracks...but his passion, commitment, joy and devotion to the causes of peace, care of the environment, and justice are evident in every single cut! This may be Pete Seeger's own swan song, and it is a pleasure to have in my collection. Give yourself a lift and savor this endeavor!

It got 4 stars to Tomorrow's Children from me when really should have given it fewer stars. Pete Seeger is one whom I so respect and the idea of children singing with him seemed perfect at this stage. However, I do not feel it was really thought out, planned, directed and just not what it could have been. Needed some more passion and intensitiy.