Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27

Subject: Pete Seeger - The Power of Song
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 09 Oct 07 - 10:51 AM

I will be interviewing director Jim Brown on my radio program this coming Sunday, October 14th.   Jim is the director of the new documentary "Pete Seeger: The Power of Song". The film is currently touring the country and will open in NYC on October 26th. Click here - Pete Seeger - for information about screenings near you.

Jim Brown has a long history with Pete, starting when he met Pete as a teenager. Jim directed the film "Wasn't That A Time", a documentary on the historic Weaver's Reunion.   Jim has done a number of features concerning folk music - including a documentary on Peter, Paul & Mary.

Jim Brown will be heard on WFDU-FM's TRADITIONS between 3 and 6pm this Sunday October 14 over 89.FM in the NJ/NYC area - or listen in online at www.wfdu.fm

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger - The Power of Song
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 09 Oct 07 - 10:56 AM

I almost forgot the most exciting news - WFDU will be presenting a concert - Pete Seeger & Friends on November 9th.    As you know, Pete does not perform too often these days, but he will be appearing at FDU'S Wilson Auditorium for a special "awareness" concert for the School of the Americas Watch. He will be joined by Kim & Reggie Harris, Bethany Yarrow & Rufus Cappadocia, and John Dull - among others.   For more information visit our website at www.wfdu.fm

We are trying to arrange an opportunity to interview Pete before the concert. I will post a note if we can make this happen.

November 9th promises to be an historic evening of music. Tickets are on sale now and I would expect that we will sellout tickets for this concert.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger - The Power of Song
From: KT
Date: 10 Oct 07 - 01:57 AM

This sounds great, Ron! Maybe some of those Getaway goers could make it to the concert post-Getaway! I know I'd try to attend if I were going to be that neck of the woods! I heard Kim & Reggie Harris perform at Old Songs a couple of years ago. Spellbinding!

Thanks for the tip.

KT

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger - The Power of Song
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 10 Oct 07 - 10:53 PM

Hope you can make it KT!

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger - The Power of Song
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 14 Oct 07 - 02:16 PM

Just a reminder - the interview will air at 4pm today on WFDU. You can listen in online at www.wfdu.fm

Subject: Pete Seeger's Power of Song
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 02:19 PM

The movie about Pete Seeger "The Power of Song" is going to be broadcast in US on PBS, on February 27th on some PBS stations.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song
From: topical tom
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 03:47 PM

Thanks heaps for the info, Guest,Guest.I sure hope our local pbs stations air it.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 03:54 PM

It is part of the American Masters series, if your PBS station carries it - you should be seeing it.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song
From: topical tom
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 04:00 PM

Super! I can't wait!

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song
From: SouthernCelt
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 07:50 PM

They're already running promos for it here (on Mississippi Public Broadcasting) so I'll guess I'll get to see it. I usually miss a lot of the better stuff 'cause they don't promo every American Masters show.

SC

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Feb 08 - 02:08 PM

I missed this thread, but I got a phone call from my brother in Oregon and an e-mail from Peter Ross in San Jose to remind me.

The show's tomorrow night - on the regular and high-definition PBS channel in San Francisco, and probably on most PBS stations in the US. I hope I get reception while the show is on. Sometimes I can, and sometimes I can't. San Francisco is almost a hundred miles from me.

Hey, this show is like the Super Bowl for us folkies. Guess I'd better stock up on pizza and beer.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: Charley Noble
Date: 26 Feb 08 - 04:00 PM

We'll try to tape it, given that we're both attending special events.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: Wesley S
Date: 26 Feb 08 - 04:01 PM

Yup - It's on tomorrow night here in North Texas too. I'm speadin' the news....

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: Louie Roy
Date: 26 Feb 08 - 04:11 PM

Here in Oregon it will be on Direct TV at 6 PM and again at 10 PM

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 12:13 AM

Hey Wesley, don't turn off the recorder too soon. KERA is going to rerun the Woody Guthrie American Masters episode immediately after the Pete Seeger episode. Just might be the superbowl for folkies at that.
- Phil

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 11:00 AM

I knew that before I forgot it...so thank you for the reminder. In the Los Angeles area it is on KCET at 9:30pm tonight.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 11:40 AM

I'm going to have to tape it as I'm going out tonight. Thanks for the reminder, been looking forward to it.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 12:04 PM

It'll be on at 7p here, tonight, with a repeat later in the week. I see our PBS is also showing a "pub crawl" on March 2:

Historic Pubs of Dublin - Take an exciting and visually stunning tour of Dublin's most notable historic pubs, as well as the many places of interest that surround them. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Frank McCourt (Angela's Ashes) serves as tour guide, providing valuable insight into Irish culture and history - and the significance the Irish pub plays in both areas. This program teaches future travelers how to make the most of their visit to Dublin.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 12:57 PM

I look forward to seeing and hearing this one. I remember Pete Seeger as a member of the Weavers, in the late 1940's and early 1950's. He has been a profound influence on unnumbered legions of performers and others over the past 70+ years. He is one of the last living connections to the era of the Great Depression and the labor and economic strife and struggle of that time which produced many folk artists such as Woody Guthrie, Burl Ives, Josh White and Pete himself.

One question about the broadcast. In a newspaper article touting the program, which I read this morning in the San Diego Union-Tribune, it credited Pete Seeger with the song "Little Boxes," which I had always attributed to Malvina Reynolds. It most accurately and cynically describes the multi-colored pastel hillside row homes of Daly City, just south of San Francisco. Verification, anyone?

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 01:27 PM

Guest TJ in San Diego is correct about Little Boxes.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: Mark Ross
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 02:45 PM

LITTLE BOXES is by Malvina Reynolds, but Pete had a hit with it. In fact, I think it's the only time a song he recorded hit the Top Ten. I think it made #1.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 02:47 PM

Someone ought to write to the paper. They probably just know about Pete singing it and thought he'd also written it.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 11:21 PM

The program was an absolute delight. A great tribute program to a great man and a wonderful banjo player!

It felt very bittersweet watching it. I attended a private school in Peekskill way back in the day, and seeing the footage of the good old Hudson River again was a joy.

Remembering the times I've met & seen Pete perform over the years was also wonderful.

Nicely done.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: catspaw49
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 11:38 PM

I find myself agreeing with you on a number of things lately Janet and this is one more. A very well done program.....Loved the lady who came up and thanked him in the park........Excellent clips and interviews with others as well (Arlo, Paxton, Mary Travers, Tom Smothers, etc.)

Nothing new much but put together in the best way possible to get the depth and breadth of the man.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: Neil D
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 11:57 PM

That was awesome! Perfect TV.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: Ferrara
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 11:59 PM

Wonderful. Now I'm going to be looking for reruns so I can urge our son to see it.

IMHO this was a very well put together program. It focused on the whole meaning of what Pete has done and how he has lived, not just on biographical facts. They really showed a life well lived, full of meaning, integrity and far reaching impact.

Thanks, Guest, for the advance notice.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: 12-stringer
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 12:10 AM

Glad someone got to see this; our local PBS station broadcast dead air the whole evening!

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 01:46 AM

We had some reception problems and I had to keep fiddling with the antenna, but we saw almost the whole thing. It was a wonderful show, but just once I'd like to see him in person. My wife has seen him, my brother has seen him - but somehow I've never had the chance.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: GUEST,iancarterb
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 02:25 AM

I DID see the whole thing, perhaps my first intentional 90 minutes of TV since retiring six months ago from 35 years as a Broadcast Engineer in commercial television. It reminds me of how I was gulled into thinking circa 1970 that television had some actually useful possibilities. It does, but there are FEW day jobs that involve the useful possibilities. That aside, it also reminded me that the best gig I ever had was six years of volunteer music at my daughter's school from kindergarten through sixth grade, getting kids to sing, learn to read the words off big posters, and years later having the occasional burly post-adolescent tell me that it made a real difference to them and was a valuable memory, and even knowing that some 23 year old fiddler, moved to Nashville, is carrying it on. I learned my first banjo and first poitical astonishment from Pete. I don't know him, despite some mutual friends, but I shook his hand once and that's a fine and adequate memory.
Carter

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 06:58 AM

Well, I would have liked more interviews with those who knew him best instead of just the snippets here and there. The best parts were his kids and grandkids talking.

Now as I understand it, Pete can be difficult and stubborn. Qualities that aren't greatly admired by most people. But the older I get, the more I realize how important it is as a human being who wishes to live a meaningful life, to be difficult and stubborn--so long as the heart is in the right place. That, in a nutshell, is the essence of Pete Seeger's life for me.

Of course, I'm so difficult and stubborn the moderators of this website keep blocking me from coming to this website--the ole 'access denied' messages keep coming up for me, my posts keep getting deleted. Yes, they even deleted my messages about what good movies I'd seen lately in the movie thread. No, I wasn't being nasty. But the Mudcat censors sure are. Hearts in the right place?

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: EBarnacle
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 08:58 AM

Pete and the Weavers also had a top 10 hit with Goodnight, Irene, as mentioned in the movie.

One of the things I especially enjoyed about the movie was that Rick Nestler and Rik Palieri were momentarily featured [about 1.5 seconds] in the film. I was just a reminder that Pete is not all about Pete. He has made a point of bringing other performers into the public eye for as long as I have known him.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 09:29 AM

"Now as I understand it, Pete can be difficult and stubborn."

Sounds like mis-information. While I do not know him as well as others, I've never heard anyone call him "difficult" or "stubborn" before. If anything, he is perhaps the one individual that I've ever met that best exemplifies the principles of getting people to work together. He has opinions and lives his life based on his morals, but he always puts himself in the other persons shoes and that helps him understand issues and how to reach people.

What you saw in that film was the real Pete Seeger. He walks the walk.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: bankley
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 09:41 AM

"This machine surrounds hate and makes it surrender"

back to basics..... excellent..









'tho I was wondering when Bob Seger was going to show up in a Chevy pick-up... heh, heh..

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 09:47 AM

Our PBS had it listed in their schedule, running at three subsequent times, last night. Every time I checked, they had on a marathon of Rick Steve's Europe, whilst they carried on fund-raising! They have it listed for a repeat on the 1st, so I hope to see it then.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: GUEST,number 6
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 10:03 AM

Joe Offer ... didn't you buy one of those 40 some inch flat screen digital YV's last year?? ... and you get your reception via an antenna??

Now ... back to the subject of this thread ... it was a great documentary and I certainly did enjoy it ... it reinstated one trait about Pete that I admire most ... he is a man that sticks by and lives to his principles and morals. He walks the walk.

biLL

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: Bill D
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 10:07 AM

What a wonderful, important show! It filled in so many blanks in my knowlege of Pete and his life. Now I have some sense of how his blacklisting actually happened and how HE reacted to it...and who stood up for him!

I had first heard Pete in person in 1961, and 'almost' got to meet him in about 1977....then last fall, was privileged to actually talk to him briefly and shake his hand. It was clear that, after all these years, he still cares about what music can do to make humans better.

The program is available to buy, and for the first time, I may actually spend money for a recording of a TV show.

It was strange, though....in the footage and discussion of The Weavers, I don't believe Fred Hellerman was ever mentioned by name.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 10:27 AM

"It was strange, though....in the footage and discussion of The Weavers, I don't believe Fred Hellerman was ever mentioned by name. "

I found that odd as well. I chalk that up to a production oversight rather than an intentional slight of Fred Hellerman.   I saw a preview copy of the film last fall and many of the supered titles were missing.

By the way, I have heard through the grapevine that this documentary might be released as part of a package with Jim Brown's other documentaries including "Wasn't That a Time" and "Isn't This a Time". I do not have that confirmed, but I heard it from a usually reliable source.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: Mrrzy
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 10:36 AM

Anybody got this on disk? I'd pay... I don't have cable so I didn't get to see it!

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 10:40 AM

It will be released on DVD Mrrzy

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: Wesley S
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 10:49 AM

Our local channel ran the American Masters program about Woody Guthrie right afterward Pete's story. A nice double feature.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 11:54 AM

At least one mention, above, was made of the fact that the program did not depict Pete Seeger "warts and all." In a preview article on the broadcast, Pete himself made mention of the fact that he had done some "stupid things" in his life and, in the interest of fairness and completeness, some of that should have been included as well. That was his only criticism of the final product. I think we may find a trace of lineal descent from Diogenes in this man.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 12:06 PM

"the fact that the program did not depict Pete Seeger "warts and all." "

I disagree, and I did not notice anyone else saying that.

They DID include some of the "warts" - such as his being a "visiting" father, his communist days, etc. Pete acknowledged this in the documentary, and he also talked about how he realized that Toshi did not get to pursue her own projects. They also interviewed one of the Peekskill protestors (Jim Brown had difficulty finding people who would speak on camera), and I think they did a very fair job.

Pete Seeger is not a saint, but his life was not the material of tabloids either. I'm not sure what other "warts" would be expected, but I think the documentary did a fair job of sharing the facts.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 12:19 PM

"his communist days" is a wart on Pete?

As he mentioned in the documentary, he was attracted by the communist party because it espoused racial equality, peace, and supported the unions. No other political party in the U.S. at that time did. Hell, when I young (or even im my old age as now) I would have probably joined back then.

biLL

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: GUEST,number 6
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 12:20 PM

Guest above is me.

biLL

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: astro
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 12:24 PM

Saw this at an arts movie house in Los Angeles, but watched it again last night. I really enjoyed seeing Pete singing with Arlo and his grandson in New York. You could tell that he was really enjoying himself. Keep him singing....

astro in LA

(recorded this on DVR, but will buy the DVD when it comes out).

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 12:27 PM

Not exactly a "wart", but Seeger does acknowledge that they made mistakes and there were not enough questions asked about Stalin. His attraction to the party is not in question. I don't want to misquote Pete, better to listen to what he said in the documentary concerning those days.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 12:52 PM

Bill D commented, in part:

It was strange, though....in the footage and discussion of The Weavers, I don't believe Fred Hellerman was ever mentioned by name.

Nor was Millard Lampell, I think.

I also was a little surprised not to see any quote from Mike Seeger. Peggy was there, but not Mike. Is there static between Pete and Mike?

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 01:04 PM

Dave - Millard Lampell was mentioned when the documentary talked about Lee Hays.   As for Mike, I'm not sure why he wasn't included - but remember this is a documentary and the director decides what footage is best to tell the story. It just might be that Mike did not have anything to say that the director felt warranted.   I do not think there is any friction, recently XM radio ran a special that featured Pete, Mike & Peggy together in the studio.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: Don Firth
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 01:12 PM

Excellent!

I've seen Pete four times in concert and on two lucky occasions I had a chance to meet him, talk with him, and swap songs with him. He's for real.

I have never bought a tape or DVD of a television special, but I will be buying this one.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's Power of Song-PBS, Feb 27
From: astro
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 01:20 PM

Don,

That would be wonderful. I never had a chance
to see him. I wish I had....


Astro