Pete Seeger on Late Night! Sept. 29, 2008

Subject: Pete Seeger on Late Night!
From: Mark Ross
Date: 29 Sep 08 - 11:36 AM

Just got word that Pete Seeger will be on the Dave Letterman Show this evening. I'll try and stay up to see it.

Mark Ross

Subject: Seeger on Letterman tonight 29-9-2008
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Sep 08 - 11:37 AM

He will be on the David Letterman show, tonight, featuring his new CD, "At 89."

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger on Late Night!
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Sep 08 - 11:48 AM

Mark, great minds... I'd just started a thread about this, too. (Just transferred my message.)

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger on Late Night! Sept. 29, 2008
From: topical tom
Date: 29 Sep 08 - 12:54 PM

Thanks for the info, folks! Geez, I could have missed it!

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger on Late Night! Sept. 29, 2008
From: MAG
Date: 29 Sep 08 - 12:56 PM

Any chance someone could tape it, for those of us wo TVs?

(Can view at Public Library.)

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger on Late Night! Sept. 29, 2008
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Sep 08 - 01:04 PM

MAG, a lot of times segments are available online, afterwards. I know some of them show up on youtube and I think even the network site. I'll find out and post it here, if and when they become available.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger on Late Night! Sept. 29, 2008
From: PoppaGator
Date: 29 Sep 08 - 04:00 PM

There are two other guests scheduled, with Pete designated as the "musical guest."

If the usual format holds, that might mean that Pete will appear only in the final five minutes, performing ~ but not sit next to the desk for an interview/conversation earlier in the show. (Two interviewees plus a musical act is the usual lineup.)

When a guest who is deemed "interview-worthy" is also a musician who performs in the fianl musical segment, there is sually only one other guest scheduled. However, there are occasional exceptions. I sure hope Pete gets to talk, at least a little bit.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger on Late Night! Sept. 29, 2008
From: GUEST,John from Kemsing
Date: 29 Sep 08 - 04:07 PM

For anyone who did not hear it I have a cassette recording of the BBC radio programme of Pete Seeger and Bob Copper chatting in New York. If anyone is interested I can make cd`s.
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger on Late Night! Sept. 29, 2008
From: Mark Ross
Date: 29 Sep 08 - 04:28 PM

Letterman is a terrible interviewer. I hope that Pete
does not have to put with his blather.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger on Late Night! Sept. 29, 2008
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 29 Sep 08 - 04:30 PM

I just hope he doesn't cancel! Recent history suggests Dave would not be sympathetic.

I hope I get to see this at a later date - these days we're not staying up until 1 am anymore....

I have a fantasy that he'll sing "Waste Deep in the Big Muddy."

Dan

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger on Late Night! Sept. 29, 2008
From: Mark Ross
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 12:16 AM

If someone out there in 'Catland could arrange to upload this to YouTube I know a bunch of us old farts(or at least those of us who are in the early stages of crusty old farthood), who can't stay up that late, would be eternally grateful.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger on Late Night! Sept. 29, 2008
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 01:47 AM

"Don't say it can't be done
The battle has just begun
Take it from Dr. King
You, too, can learn to sing
So drop the gun!"

Neat little ditty he taught the audience that chorus. It was great!

There should be some videos available in the morning. I'll find them and post links, if possible.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger on Late Night! Sept. 29, 2008
From: Duke
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 11:19 AM

I watched it! It was great to see Pete but its too bad that I had to wait until the last five minutes. Letterman sucks!

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger on Late Night! Sept. 29, 2008
From: CamiSu
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 11:43 AM

Kat--

Where did you see him that he taught that? I saw him in Lebanon, New Hampshire 2 weeks ago and learned that.

It was a great concert (with Tao Rodriguez-Seeger and Guy Davis)

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger on Late Night! Sept. 29, 2008
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 11:54 AM

He did it with Letterman's audience, who looked like they had a good time. I recorded it and unfortunately didn't make the adjustment for the end time of the show, so I missed the end of the song. Was there any conversation at all with Letterman? (I assume, if any, it would have been just a few words.)

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger on Late Night! Sept. 29, 2008
From: Mark Ross
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 12:10 PM

There was no conversation at all, just Letterman introducing the band and saying goodbye, probably the best thing.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger on Late Night! Sept. 29, 2008
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 12:35 PM

I was hoping they would have a chance to talk a bit. CamiSue, as Becky said, that was the song he sang last night. It's a good one, of course! Lucky you for learning it from him in person. One question, I could remember the tune, but not if it went up at the end or if it did what seemed natural, to me, and went down. Anyone remember?

They have put up Letterman's tribute to Paul Newman, which I've posted to the obit thread, but I don't see anything of Pete, yet. I'll keep checking.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger on Late Night! Sept. 29, 2008
From: PoppaGator
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 01:25 PM

I don't think Letterman was or is particularly "unsympathetic" to Pete Seeger and everything he stands for, but he's not entirely clued in, either. It's probably just as well that he didn't embarrasss hiumelf and his audience by attempting a sit-down interview.

Dave and I are almost exactly the same age, and in fact were attending different colleges in the state of Indiana at the same time. When I first became aware of him only a few years later, I didn't particularly like his on-screen persona ~ he struck me as a kind of lowbrow fraternity-boy type, from my perspective as a kind of college-hippie countercultural type.

I did recognize from the very first, however, that Dave had a certain smartass ironic streak not at all unlike my own. That was evident despite all our other differences.

Over the years, I've become a fan. I think he's gained quite a bit of awareness and is now not only hipper, but a somewhat deeper thinker than before. And for my part, I've become decidedly more jaded.

During the heyday of the folk revival, and even during the ensuing folk-rock/psychelic pseudo-revolutionary period, young David Letterman was not part of, or even particularly aware of, that "scene," and so would not have the same emotional connection to Pete Seeger than most of us share and take for granted.

On the other hand, Dave is by no means any sort of right-wing know-nothing knucklehead. While, as a comedian, his job is to ridicule every brand of politics and politician, I think it's pretty evident that his personal opinions are generally "progressive," and that he would find himself to be in basic agreement with someone like Mr. Seeger. He just doesn't have the personal history or the longtime awareness and attachment.

I would venture the opinion that one thing Letterman really does understand and relate to is Pete-Seeger-as-sung-by-Bruce-Springsteen.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger on Late Night! Sept. 29, 2008
From: GUEST,Meadowmuskrat
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 02:17 PM

Enjoyed the performance. Does anyone know the musicians accompanying Pete?I believe his Grandson was on his right, but I didn't know anyone else. I thought the CBS orchestra coming in for part of the song was a nice touch.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger on Late Night! Sept. 29, 2008
From: Anglo
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 02:44 PM

The fiddler was Ruth Ungar Merenda, Jay Ungar's daughter. Vocal harmony was Guy Davis. Didn't know the bass player.

It was good. He was Pete. And it's great to see how much of his voice is back. That song is included in the new edition of his book 'Where Have All The Flowers Gone' which should be issued at any moment by Sing Out. (But don't hold your breath).

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger on Late Night! Sept. 29, 2008
From: Stringsinger
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 04:06 PM

Mark, I missed it but I do remember Pete on Johnny Carson where he held up a poster
of an impoverished starving young girl from India or Africa and he said, "you want to talk about obscenity? Here it is!"

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger on Late Night! Sept. 29, 2008
From: Mark Ross
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 04:42 PM

Frank,
I fell asleep with the TV on last night, but woke up in time to see Pete. I was half asleep(which half you ask?). Fortunately, She Who Must Be Obeyed watches Letterman, and I had set up to record the show so she wouldn't have to do anything(especially if she fell asleep(we get up around 5 AM), and I just got to watch it again this afternoon with more attention. Pete did his usual great job, despite his vocal problems he put the song over very well and got the audience singing along. The house band even managed to join in at the end, which I thought was pretty good, near as I can tell from his capo position and fingerings the song was in Fmin, modulating to G#. They didn't let him talk with the host, but I guess they think that he can't be trusted to open his mouth except to sing on TV, but he always chooses songs that get his point across.


Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger on Late Night! Sept. 29, 2008
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 04:45 PM

"I guess they think that he can't be trusted to open his mouth "

It is not unusual that musical guests do not speak with Letterman.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger on Late Night! Sept. 29, 2008
From: PoppaGator
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 05:10 PM

"It is not unusual that musical guests do not speak with Letterman."

That's very true, but there have been exceptions over the years ~ not many, and not very often, but for truly "exceptional" musical personalities.

When a relatively unknown rock band is the "musical guest," as is most often the case, they certainly do not get a sit-down.

But there have been instances where important, iconic artists have appeared in both "roles," as regular interviewed guest and also performing in the final-five-minutes musical-guest time-slot. One example, off the top of my head: Tony Bennett. There have been others I can't think of right now.

Pete Seeger certainly could have been scheduled for that kind of treatment, but if that were the case, he would be one of two guests, not one of three. So as soon as I saw that two other show-biz personalities were on the program, I was pretty sure that Pete would not be seen/heard until the end.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger on Late Night! Sept. 29, 2008
From: GUEST,Dan's laptop
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 06:12 PM

It may have been Pete's choice just to sing and not to speak. Pete is pretty careful about what he does and doesn't do these days, and with the documentary and the new CD, he's extremely busy. For someone like Pete, who's been doing this all of his life, it may take a lot more energy to banter with a talk show host than to just sing the song.

Obviously none of us know. I'm just grateful that he's still performing, at least a little, and that people like Letterman are giving him a national stage.

He is one of the wisest people I have ever encountered. That doesn't have anything to do with this thread; it's just true.

Dan

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger on Late Night! Sept. 29, 2008
From: GUEST,Wendy
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 06:34 PM

If anyone knows where I can find a CD with the song "Don't Sat It Can't Be Done", please let me know. I have to have a copy of that song. It was great! Please help.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger on Late Night! Sept. 29, 2008
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 06:47 PM

It is on the last Appleseed Collection of the Songs of Pete Seeger, Vol. 3 - and the song is called "Take it From Dr. King".

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger on Late Night! Sept. 29, 2008
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 06:48 PM

Wendy, as I understand it, it is on his new cd, "At 89" which should be available darn near anywhere. The song is called "Take it from Dr. King."

Here's what the Late Show webpage has to say about last night:

ACT 7:
PETE SEEGER: from his new CD, "At 89," the legendary folk singer performed "Take It From Dr. King." Very nice. It was cool to see Pete Seeger on our stage.

And that was our show for Monday, September 29, 2008.

Still no video posted.

Oops, I take that back. That song is not on his new CD. It does have 32 songs! You may hear samples at CDBaby.

Here are the lyrics:

Click here

And,

Ta Da!

Here He Is on youtube singing that song, in August! It's not The Late Show, but it IS Pete and that song!:-)

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger on Late Night! Sept. 29, 2008
From: Bill H //\\
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 07:13 PM

Mark Ross: "Blather" by Letterman is just right.

    I waited and I waited until I finally gave up (did tape the last 20 min.) so I saw PS this morning.

      I admit that Letterman did a nice tribute to Paul Newman with a story that seemed to go on forever and made, basically, no point. Then over 20 minutes (I put the set on "mute"--the most important button on a remote) to avoid the blather of Ms Dreyfus and her inane stories of fashion and safari. Then I turned on the tape--could not take more of Letterman and his toady Schaefer (ala Carson's McMann) Best to stick to Jon Stewart and Colbert for intelligent wit. Sad that there are no more conversational late-night shows like Cavett of years back. Or even Paar.

       As to Pete S. Unless they and Pete S.felt this was a good opportunity for Appleseed (and I truly respect and admire the label) to promote this wonderful recording (At 89) I cannot understand why he bothered with this---for want of a better word--"crap"--which defines most of Letterman's programs. Leno as well.

       On a side note--nice that Letterman did take McCain to task--albeit for the wrong reasons. Yet, how sad it is that the vote getting things in today's campaigns are sound bytes on shows like this.


Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger on Late Night! Sept. 29, 2008
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 07:43 PM

Wow, there are some beautiful songs on the new CD. I realise some of oyu may already know most of them, but I had not heard Visions of the Children. Wow!

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger on Late Night! Sept. 29, 2008
From: Art Thieme
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 10:14 PM

Damn, I missed it. BUT -- back in them proverbial old days, 1959 I think, I saw Pete on PLAYBOY'S PENTHOUSE TV show---hosted by Hugh Hefner---surrounded by 20 bunnies lounging around the pad and pool. Of course, Pete was great and got 'em all singing. I taped it with my huge old 2-track Webcore reel-to-reel recorder. I gave that tape to Fritz and Mary Schuler in Wisconsin, and just a few months ago, Fritz sent me a CD of it---along with a 1944 radio show that Woody Guthrie did. Produced by Alan Lomax for the U.S. Department Of Health. The program's intent was to make soldiers and everyone aware of the ravages of syphilis --- and V.D. in general.------ Amazing stuff.

But, that old TV show was a fine performance by Pete too.

I sent Pete a note asking him about the V.D, awareness show because Fritz was sure it was Pete's banjo backing up Woody. Pete wrote back that he didn't remember doing that with Woody! He also said it couldn't have been 1944 because he was in the army those years.

Quite an amazing man, I'm thinking!!!

Art Thieme---looking back from the last day of September in 2008.

(If it wasn't for time, we'd have to do everything all at once!)

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger on Late Night! Sept. 29, 2008
From: maire-aine
Date: 24 Oct 08 - 03:54 PM

I missed it the first time it aired, but I caught the rerun of that show last night. Pete looks & sounds great, and I'll certainly get the new CD

Maryanne