Pete Seeger 90th Birthday party at MadisonSqGarden

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger 90th Birthday part at MadisonSqGarden
From: mark gregory
Date: 10 May 09 - 09:01 AM

... The Irish Times

'HALFWAY through his 90th birthday celebration at Madison Square Garden on Sunday night, Pete Seeger urged everybody in the 18,000-strong audience to join in an a cappella version of Amazing Grace.

“There’s no such thing as a wrong note as long as you’re singing it,” he said.

Fifty of the biggest names in American music, including Bruce Springsteen, Joan Baez and Kris Kristofferson, joined Seeger onstage for the 4½-hour event. It had less the feel of a concert, however, than of a giant sing-along with a group of old friends.

Seeger has been singing and campaigning on behalf of progressive causes for almost 70 years, standing with trade unions and migrant workers in the 1930s and 1940s, opposing the Cold War in the 1950s, marching for civil rights and against the Vietnam war in the 1960s, joining the struggle against South African apartheid in the 1970s, and focusing on environmental activism ever since.'

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger 90th Birthday part at MadisonSqGar
From: Michael S
Date: 10 May 09 - 09:44 AM

I'm new to this thread and I did not attend the Pete Seeger celebration in Madison Square Garden. I've attended at least half-a-dozen Bruce Springsteen performances over the last 30 years and own most of his records. I've also seen Pete several times and own some of his recordings. I think I'm reasonably knowledgeable about their careers.

I'm thoroughly mystified by the statement that Bruce represents "loudness and anger." If that remark is supposedly a summary of his career or persona, it's very ill-informed. If it's based solely on the "outlasted the bastards" comment at the Seeger tribute, I hope you watched the totality of Bruce's remarks on youtube.

Bruce is a rock star. His concerts are loud, but always in the service of great joy and humanity. If you haven't seen one, plug your ears and watch the communion in the arena at one of Bruce's shows. He's very wealthy (and I suspect Pete has a few dollars, as well). But Bruce has always used his platform to remind us to think of the less fortunate. I don't know another star anywhere near his level of popularity who has been so consistent in talking about the needs of the downtrodden. At every concert, we hear of the homeless, the hungry, etc. Bruce often insists that local service organizations be given a chance to hand out literature and collect funds at concerts. And Bruce has backed this up with free shows and public statements.

As far as I can tell, Bruce does this with humility and an appeal to our better angels. I doubt Bruce has reached Pete's level of activism, but I'm not comparing them. I'm simply addressing the misguided "loudness and anger" remark. It's way off base.

--Michael Scully
--Austin

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger 90th Birthday part at MadisonSqGar
From: Stringsinger
Date: 10 May 09 - 10:24 AM

Activism speaks louder than angry words.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger 90th Birthday part at MadisonSqGar
From: Michael S
Date: 10 May 09 - 11:11 AM

What "angry words?" And how much do any of us know about Bruce's private activism, or the lack of it? Good lord, why does the left always eat its own? Dick Cheney is still out there blathering and Mudcatters want to take shots at Bruce Springsteen!!! I notice that Pete certainly hasn't shunned the public embrace that Bruce has offered over the past few years.
--Michael Scully

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger 90th Birthday part at MadisonSqGarden
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 10 May 09 - 11:35 AM

I'm not sure if "angry words" and "activisim" need to be exclusive. Listen to some of the songs that Pete has sung, there are certainly angry words in many of them.

Pete tells a great story about the Clearwater. When people were saying that it would never work, he brought up the story of the see-saw. One end of the see saw is weighted down with big heavy rocks. On the other side there is an empty basket that people are bringing teaspoons full of sand to help fill. Skeptics will say that it will never fill, but after a very long time the basket does get filled and slowly the see-saw teeters in the other direction. People then start asking how it happened so fast, when in reality it took a very long time and a lot of people contributing.

Of course a few folks with shovels could fill that basket in no time at all if they put their mind to it. Yet the act of participation and making everyone involved is the point of the story.

At the concert Pete told the story of John Newton and the song "Amazing Grace".   Pete told the story of redemption, and how anyone can turn around and deserve a chance. THAT is the "nasty optimism" that Springsteen is referring to.   

Again, I think it is very important to listen and watch the entire speech before anyone draws conclusions. Everyone is entitled to think what they wish, but that doesn't mean it is necessarily correct.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger 90th Birthday part at MadisonSqGarden
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 Jul 09 - 10:43 AM

"Eve Goldberg - PM
Date: 04 May 09 - 11:33 PM

I was there (just got back home a few hours ago), and it was fantastic! It's hard to put it into words because there were so many performers and so many songs, but there were some beautiful moments. Once I've gotten some sleep I might be able to give a better report.

But for those who missed it, I hear that the whole thing was filmed for later broadcast on PBS. So keep your eyes open for that (and I'm sure there will be a CD and a DVD too!)."

I am refreshing Eve G's post. I just read that PBS will be airing the May 3rd Pete Seeger show as a Great Performances special, starting this week and will be shown across the country in the next several weeks.

I will be watching.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger 90th Birthday part at MadisonSqGarden
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 28 Jul 09 - 11:31 AM

Here's the PBS page about it, which has several bits of preview video.

It's on Aug. 7 and 9 here. The program notes have it as "episode 1 of 2"...

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger 90th Birthday part at MadisonSqGarden
From: GUEST,amy\
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 02:16 PM

You people need to get over yourself. People who followed Pete from the 60's appreciated his goodness. The man has done nothing but help out humanity and make us appreciate our county. I'm sure he had nothing to do with the guest list. Bless Pete and may he live a peaceful life with his loved ones and friends.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger 90th Birthday part at MadisonSqGarden
From: GUEST,Leslie
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 02:32 PM

Roger McGuinn WAS there, but unfortunately Ronnie Gilbert and Fred Hellerman weren't. Do we know for a fact that they weren't invited, though.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger 90th Birthday part at MadisonSqGarden
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Aug 09 - 01:08 AM

Brings tears to my eyes, watching these performances on PBS. Pete looked like he was enjoying himself.

Arlo has white hair. Has for a while, but I always thought of him as a young whippersnapper. . .

Joan Baez is as beautiful as ever, maybe more so.

Springsteen really gets around. I enjoyed him in the Orbison Black and White program from years ago, but I know he has always been a Seeger fan. Interesting, energizing mix of people up on stage.

SRS

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger 90th Birthday part at MadisonSqGarden
From: GUEST,Stringsinger
Date: 03 Aug 09 - 03:44 PM

Sorry fella's but there's nothing "nasty" about Pete's
optimism. Unless of course you use the term like in the Black \
Community where good is "bad", like that Bad Boy Pete Seeger.

Here's a problem. Where do you separate the rhetoric
from the intentions of the man? "Nasty" means to me
angry which is not Pete. The "bastards" reference of Springsteen are
as yet undefined. Can we acheive anything by name-calling?

It seems in some circles it's liberal chic to start
blaming those you disagree with. Let's dimiss them
as "bastards". It doesn't work. You don't convince anyone
that way.

Pete's optimism is beyond "nasty" or any other term
derogating it. I still think it was a poor choice of
words.

I've known Pete for over fifty years, now. I've seen
him charm the pants of a Young Republican Club. If he were
to perform in front of the Southern Citizens Council,
he probably would do the same thing.

Pete has been around long enough to warrant a better term like
"constructive optimism" or "socially-changing optimism."
I would not like to see him presented as a ranting
ideologue but more as who he really is, a tolerant
humanitarian who recognizes the value of life. That's why
he is Pete Seeger.

That's my take anyway.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger 90th Birthday part at MadisonSqGarden
From: Wesley S
Date: 03 Aug 09 - 03:56 PM

I was pleased to see Charles Osgood introduce a segment on Pete and his 90th birthday on the CBS Sunday Morning show yesterday morning. And how did he do it? By frailing a long necked vega 5 srting. I didn't know that Charles Osgood played the banjo. But it was refreshing to say the least.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger 90th Birthday part at MadisonSqGarden
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 03 Aug 09 - 04:29 PM

"I've known Pete for over fifty years, now. I've seen him charm the pants of a Young Republican Club."

THAT is an example of the "nasty optimism" that Springsteen was referring to!!

I'm sorry Frank, but with the deepest of respect, I still think that Springsteen's words were eloquent and fitting. After watching the performance live at the Garden and again on television, I don't think that Springsteen was creating the image of "ranting idealogue" with his choice of words, and the use of the word "bastard" was not meant to be offensive at all. Perhaps it is a generational thing, but Springsteen was speaking with great respect and admiration for everything that Seeger stands for - and his words encouraged others to use Seeger as an example on how to conduct their own lives.

I do respect your opinion and everyone is entitled to have one - but I feel it is important to be able to disagree.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger 90th Birthday part at MadisonSqGarden
From: GUEST,banjopicker
Date: 05 Nov 11 - 02:07 AM

My memory even at 21 is foggy since its been a couple years since ive seen the footage . but I do agree with Frank.


Also would like to take the opportunity to say I grew up with the weavers re-union concert 1963 and new every word to San Fransisco bay blues by the time i was 4 . and still listen to it till this this. I now play the banjo and 12 string because of it.