Pete Seeger - At 89

On At 89, iconic folk musician and activist Pete Seeger's first CD since the Grammy-nominated 2003Seeds: The Songs of Pete Seeger, Vol. 3 2-CD set, the peaceful warrior for human dignity surveys the progress that's been made in his lifetime and what still needs to be done to create a society of equals and to assure continued world survival.

Lovingly sequenced by producer/musician David Bernz, At 89 segues similarly themed songs into organic suites, using brief solo instrumentals and spoken introductions by Pete as links. Of the CD's 32 tracks, 26 have never been previously recorded by Pete. After the opening amble of Pete's "Nameless Banjo Riff," 89-year-old Seeger acknowledges on "False From True" that he's now of an age when it's time to reassess what's left to do - separating false from true, more important now than ever in this age of misinformation. He is joined on the next few songs of welcome and fellowship by the voices of his fellow Hudson River Valley, New York, musicians and friends, who are also heard singing and making music throughout the CD, adding to its sense of community. Among the contributing musicians are the members of Work o' the Weavers, a quartet (which includes Bernz) devoted to the repertoire and spirit of Pete's long gone but much-loved group; the Walkabout Clearwater Chorus; the After Hours Quartet; the Hudson River Sloop Singers, and other guests.

"The Water is Wide," a soothing duet between recorder and 12-string guitar, both played by Pete, provides the transition to the next set of songs ("It's a Long Haul," "Throw Away That Shad Net," "Song of the World's Last Whale," "If It Can't Be Reduced," "The First Settlers"), which address two of Pete's leading concerns - ecology and peaceful coexistence. The tragic uselessness of war ("When I Was Most Beautiful," "Bach at Treblinka") is lightened by a version of The Weavers' old favorite, "Tzena, Tzena, Tzena," that adds a hopeful mingling of recently added Arabic lyrics to the existing verses in Hebrew and English. The last segment of the CD circles back to the dangers of blind obedience (a new rendition of the Vietnam, and now Iraq, War parable, "Waist Deep in the Big Muddy"), and the need for personal involvement to save our planet from ourselves ("Or Else!" "Arrange and Re-arrange," "If This World Survives"). There's a particularly poignant moment on "Little Fat Baby" when Pete confronts his own mortality: "Some day, we'll be saying so long/Some day, it'll be time for me to move on").

But that day hasn't yet arrived. Pete is still sowing the seeds of peace and justice, whether inspiring Bruce Springsteen to carry on his legacy of musical tradition and personal activism or getting a classroom of school kids to sing songs in other languages. Like Tom Joad or Joe Hill, when there are wrongs to be righted or victories, however small, to be celebrated in the war between good and evil, that's where we'll always find Pete Seeger: in the flesh - leading a singalong - or in our hearts.

Album Description

Pete is great at any age!

Pete Seeger has always been such a strong force for social justice, equality and protecting the environment; especially the waters. His voice is a little scratchy at 89 but he's still that amazing, strong and influential person! Irene November 16, 2008

Viva Pete!

We can only hope Pete will be around long enough to see a positive result in next week's elections! He is an inspiration to us all, a testament to the power of positive, dedicated, optimistic, conscientious, committed people to make this world a better place. Fans who enjoy this CD may also want to check out Pete's spoken recollections of playing the great Spanish Civil War songs on another Appleseed release, "Spain In My Heart: Songs of the Spanish Civil War". He shares some poignant memories and also plays some great banjo!Spain in My Heart: Songs of the Spanish Civil War October 31, 2008

Disappointed

Package was open, expected it to be new. Great CD Pete Seeger is a national treasure. October 30, 2008

Pete Seeger at 89

I think it is great that Pete can still perform at his age. I am 84 myself and cannot sing anymore. Of course, the reason is my chemo 24 years age. I and my sons consider that a small price to pay for my life. I love Pete's songs. They are very, very down to earth and beautiful. Thank you, Pete, and keep on singing. Ginny Evert October 15, 2008

A Most Fitting Capstone

I learned of this CD while I was watching the Dave Letterman Show. At 89 years old, Pete Seeger is still vibrant and youthful. This CD features some old songs and some new ones. Sometimes, Pete Seeger plays music; sometimes he talks; sometimes he talks to a musical background; other times he lets someone else do the singing.

I would highly recommend this CD to anyone who would like to explore the music of Pete Seeger, but doesn't know where to start. It is a most fitting capstone that brings together many aspects of the man's life and work; his gentle spirit; and his fiesty sense of justice.

The CD is also quite an achievement. In my collection of over 1,000 classical, jazz and folk recordings, I have only a few that reveal such enthusiasm at such an advanced age.

Some interesting comparisons are as follows: Frankie Laine recorded "Wheels of a Dream" at age 85. George Burns recorded music well into his 80s and early 90s. Classical musicians Mieczyslaw Horszowski, Vladimir Horowitz, Leopold Stokowski, and Pablo Casals made recordings into their 80s and 90s. I also once saw Lionel Hampton rock the Newport Jazz Festival at age 80; and last year I saw David Brubeck live in concert at age 87.

Mr. Seeger has reached the status of such luminaries and has become something of a national treasure; a living link to folk and protest music of the Great Depression; the Red Scare; the Civil Rights Movement; the Vietnam War Era; the Environmental Movement; and more. What else can be said except that a "people's history" of America can be told through his prolific body of music.
October 7, 2008

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