Search - Peter Paul & Mary :: Late Again

"I will not be late again?" ... They Were VERY Late After Th

Mark D. Prouse | Riverdale (Bronx), NY | 06/30/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"LATE AGAIN forms the final third of a trilogy, in my mind, with ALBUM and ALBUM 1700. These were the last three really good studio albums (PETER, PAUL & MOMMY doesn't count) that were released before the group "retired." Several years later they came back together and recorded the disastrous REUNION album, and that's when I was sure that the magic was gone for good. Of course, they fooled everyone when they not only continued as important political and social activists, but also enjoyed yet another musical rebirth in the late `80's that lasted through the `90's. However, they never again matched the sheer beauty and grace of those last few albums for Warner Brothers. LATE AGAIN is perhaps my favorite, but several of the albums from their `60's period were beyond excellent. One of the marvelous things about most of the CD reissues is that the source masters seem to have suffered very little deterioration over time, and they all sound crystal clear while retaining their warmth and luster. These are some of the best sounding reissues I've ever had the pleasure of listening to; every guitar string resonates like it's being plucked live, right in front of you (the crowning achievement in remastering is PETER PAUL & MARY IN CONCERT, which sounds amazing for an early '60's live recording, and I don't even like most live records). LATE AGAIN is a continuation of the eclecticism that marked most of Peter Paul Mary's albums after IN THE WIND. Somehow, despite what could have been an awkward mix of folk, rock'n'roll, blues and soft, romantic balladry, this album moves effortlessly between the genres, mixing them up, even, and ends up being a cohesive whole. It starts with a Paul Stookey song whose saloon piano and bass rhythm grabs the listener by the scruff of the neck with the opening line, "I would like to apologize for my friend here; he hasn't been himself for a long, long time." After that energetic opening, the unexpected pleasure of "Moments Of Soft Persuasion" does exactly what its title might suggest, and we are hooked for the remainder of the ride. Other standouts are two Bob Dylan songs, the rarely covered "Too Much Of Nothing' (I don't even recall Dylan himself doing that one; anyone remember?) and a short but sweet "I Shall Be Released." "Hymn" is an amazing, tear-producing description of what it is like to FEEL one's faith, and this comment is coming from one who has just about had it with religion (the right wingers have decimated what little respect I once had for it). Perhaps my two favorite numbers here are rich, lush sounding ballads. The first is a love song backed by a fantastic, syncopated drum arrangement, "Love City (Postcards To Duluth)" and the other a stately homage to those who are poor in a land of plenty, and how rich and poor are the same when they get to the sea; well, that's my take on it. Another reviewer on these pages has quoted one line from "Rich Man Poor Man." I'll offer up a different one: "I need the moon, but the landlord needs money..." the song still gives me goose bumps after all these years. Who would have thought that a manufactured "folk" group, put together by corporate interests at a fledgling label to compete with Vanguard and Elektra would have risen to heights of artistic loveliness such as these? Long Live P, P & M!"

Classic Peter Paul and Mary

Sarra Baraily | East Lansing, MI United States | 09/22/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Interestingly enough, the first time I heard this album in 1968 I was mesmerized: the music, the power of the words, the great variety. I think it belongs right next to their first album for its enduring power to move the heart and mind. Most of the songs are consciousness-raising, yet, at the same time, speak to the heart. I don't know why it never became more popular but it has been seared in my melodic memory and I am filled with pleasure and nostalgia every time I hear the album. It's my favorite P, P, & M!"

Not their best, but still worth owning

Daydream Believer | 07/25/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Late Again" is not the most popular PPM album, nor does it contain much that has made it to a "hits" or retospective collection. It does, however, contain some wonderful material. "Moments of Soft Persausion" is absolutely beutiful. Take a few minutes and listen to the sample from the album listing. "Rich Man Poor Man" is, in my opinion, one of the best songs PPM ever recorded. With the refrain of "A rich man eats when he wishes, a poor man whenever he can", I expected it to show up on "Songs of Conscience and Concern". It didn't. That means, this is the only album which has it. It, alone, is worth the purchase price of the album."