Search - Pete Seeger :: Essential Pete Seeger

A Half Hearted Compilation

JOP | The Big City | 05/07/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

""The Essential *LIVE* Pete Seeger" would be a more accurate title for this CD. Nine of the 15 tracks here are live recordings which, in the case of "Barbara Allen," or "Little Boxes" isn't particularly a problem but on far too many of the songs, "John Henry," "This Land is Your Land," "Guantanamera," "Michael Row The Boat Ashore," and some others, the live performances are "audience participation sing-a-longs" which means that the anonymous audience drowns out Seeger's vocals to the point that it hardly seems fair to deem them Seeger recordings. In at least one case, "Wimoweh," the sound quality of the recording is so poor, and the audience so dominant, it is a wonder why it ever was considered for inclusion onto this CD. Then there is the CD's length. Clocking in at less than 50 minutes seems pretty ludicrous given that a single CD can hold about 80 minutes of music and given the treasure trove of Seeger recordings that sit gathering dust in the vaults.



With the new attention being given Seeger by Bruce Springsteen's CD "We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions" it is a pity there is not a more comprehensive compilation to introduce Seeger to those unfamiliar with his work and legacy. Even more frustrating is the rather halfhearted toss off one Sony has given us here."

Essential indeed!

T. Davis | Seattle, WA | 04/14/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"An excellent sampling of some of folk music's most important and enduring songs. There are more comprehensive collections of Seeger's songbook, but if you're looking for a budget-priced single-CD compilation, you can't go wrong with this one."

Just what I was looking for...

S. Forbes | New York | 05/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I fell in love with that tune by Malvina Reynolds, "Little Boxes," which also happens to be on the themesong to "Weeds," a t.v. show on Showtime; however, it made me remember Pete Seeger. I grew up listening to his patriotic music, music of the common man, etc, as a child. I got this CD and was not disappointed... it bought me right back to my childhood."