Pete Seeger's last concert

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: Peter T.
Date: 19 Sep 04 - 03:26 PM

That would be so great if they would. 4 songs was hardly enough, we would have stayed there for a couple of hours -- revival meeting!! Maybe we will be able finally to thank George W. for something -- getting the Weavers so pissed off they went back to playing.

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: Once Famous
Date: 19 Sep 04 - 03:11 PM

Considering that an anonymous Guest spoke out, I'm afraid that's the breaks.

I don't blame Pete Seeger for anything.

But I've never bought his records, either. It doesn't mean that I haven't heard them.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 19 Sep 04 - 02:16 PM

Oh Martin, you're at it again.

Politics in folksong....not for you, okay.

For Woody Guthrie, Ewan MacColl, Billy Bragg......pretty much meat and drink.

What guest said to you wasn't nice, but he gave name to that sort of comment himself. Like you said shun it. Don't blame Pete Seeger and upset his friends

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Sep 04 - 02:05 PM

MG,MG,MG! There! Happy?

My first memories of hearing Pete Seeger was at a Bowdoin College concert in Maine back in the 1950's that my parents dragged me to. I was amazed that he got so many people singing along with him, and some of the songs weren't even in English!

When I got to college, years later, I had my own Folkways collection of Seeger albums and was delighted to find a few other folks there who wanted to learn how to sing and play the tunes. We had a great time riding the wave of the early 1960's folk scare. Somewhere along the way I also bought the "Goofing Off Suite" which opened my ears to what a range of things could be done with the banjo. I still play "Meadowlands" but have resisted converting it into a sea shanty!

I once sat down with Seeger at a People Music gathering, asking his advice about getting my collection of tenant and neighborhood organizing songs published. He didn't think it would be an easy job and he was certainly correct but he encouraged me to keep at it.

Pete's legacy is certainly long and inspiring, and it's not over yet, and I doubt if it will be over a hundred years from now. As long as someone is still singing his songs and creating new ones in the same wonderful spirit, his legacy will continue.

Yours in struggle,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: Once Famous
Date: 19 Sep 04 - 01:04 PM

Guest Cretenous Yahoo.

Guest Music Lover, speaking for whomever that is, and I will not save our breath for anything but to tell how we really feel about something.

So deal with it.

This is not your exclusive thread.   None are.

I love music. Politics in folk music's greatest enemy.   It's what unfortunately has been killing the genre.

Don't you get it? No one cares much anymore. Enjoy music for it's melodies, harmonies, poetic lyrics, and universal language.

Screw politics in music.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: black walnut
Date: 19 Sep 04 - 12:18 PM

On Saturday morning they said that there would be a tour, Peter. They said that the Weavers had felt so positive about the concert and the response that they were talking about doing some more concerts with the movie.

Not official, but that's what they said on Saturday.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: Jeri
Date: 19 Sep 04 - 11:15 AM

[Thread creep alert]
Peter, it's Doris Granny D Haddock, and she's running for U.S. Senate. Her web page is here. Go read it, I think you'll find her fascinating. She just recently legally changed her name to have 'Granny D' added, because that's how people know her.

I'd heard about her and didn't take her very seriously. BIG mistake. I met her early last month and heard her speak. She's a Force With Which to be Reckoned in a teeny little 94 year-old body surmounted by a funny hat. (I had the honor of being gently poked in the eye with that feather while posing for a photo.) Read her speeches - some of the best I've ever read.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: curmudgeon
Date: 19 Sep 04 - 11:01 AM

Doris "Granny D" Haddock is running for U. S. Senate here in NH. She made the news a few years back when she walked across the country agitating for campaign finance reform. She is a charming and very feisty lady who speaks clearly yet eloquently, to the issues.

Jeri, Bat Goddess and I had the pleasure and honor of meeting her last month when we performed for the Strafford County Democratic Picnic.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: Peter T.
Date: 19 Sep 04 - 10:07 AM

Still buzzing! I forgot to mention a few things, not the least of which was Ronnie telling all the Americans in the audience that they had a little more than a month before they too could change the world!!
There was a particularly nice moment in the film when Harold talks about how Pete Seeger represented for many people around the world the real America -- love of liberty, equality, hope for the downtrodden of the world. Got a big round of applause.

Ronnie also mentioned a 94 year old woman running for Congress (is that right?) in New Hampshire!

I figure the Weavers should go on tour with the movie. I mean, just because the movement has used them up a million times, and they have earned their rest a million times, why not one more squeeze from the selfish so and sos like me, their fans? Their open heartedness is such a difference from the truly dinosauric, crabbed, cramped, hopeless, selfish dark grimness of which there is much evidence abroad (and some in the thread above)

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: kendall
Date: 19 Sep 04 - 08:41 AM

Pete Seeger is an angel on earth.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: black walnut
Date: 19 Sep 04 - 08:29 AM

JeffM sat right behind PeteS at the movie Friday night. We wonder if JeffM will ever descend from his cloud of joy and write something on this thread?

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: GUEST,Cretinous Yahoo
Date: 19 Sep 04 - 07:30 AM

Guest, music lover...and MG, save your breath for your blow up dates.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 19 Sep 04 - 01:14 AM

Thanks to you all for posting these details of what went on. I just about feel like I was there with you.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 18 Sep 04 - 08:40 PM

I had just written to a friend about the concert when I found the review and article in the Canadian paper. Wish I had been there---sounds fantastic. Only re-union I ever missed.

I only hope the film is released soon in the U S. Will rank, I am sure, right up there with Wasn't That A Time---and, sadly, the final documentary on this---perhaps not.

Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: GUEST,A music lover but politics hater
Date: 18 Sep 04 - 07:22 PM

He is such a hack his music doesnt outweigh the BS politics of the whole generation of "folkies" most of whom are nothing but a bunch of pacifistic liberal cloueless........

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: black walnut
Date: 18 Sep 04 - 03:49 PM

Oh, and one more thing - Leon Bibb's Shenandoah is a real highlight in the film.   Stunningly beautiful.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: black walnut
Date: 18 Sep 04 - 03:32 PM

Oh, Peter, that's fantastic! My husband and I just got back from seeing the movie at the Varsity. The film is challenging, moving, informative, magical and fun. It treats the subject with passion and integrity. It is a MUST SEE MOVIE!!!!!

Great to have the introduction and QA period afterward, as part of the film festival.

What made it even more special for us was that we'd just seen Arlo Guthrie up at the Ottawa Folk Festival at the end of August, which made the whole thing feel a bit more personal.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: Shimbo Darktree
Date: 18 Sep 04 - 10:47 AM

Fascinating reading. As a side issue, does vitriolic posting come with automatically poor spelling and grammar, or is it the result of real effort?

I still have several Weaver's LPs, and two or three of Seeger's songbooks. They still get used. More power to him; a great folkie, and a great human being.

Regards to the less vitriolic,

Shimbo

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: Amos
Date: 18 Sep 04 - 10:44 AM

Aww, PT, I am so happy for you to have been there!! What a thrill, man!!

A

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: Peter T.
Date: 18 Sep 04 - 10:28 AM

TOTAL BLISS!! Having missed Pete Seeger all those years (not being an obsessive folkie till I got here), I assumed I would never see him when he stopped really performing, and then to have THE WEAVERS (Cripes!) show up on the doorstep!! Got into line about 7, and got in -- can't tell you what a thrill it was just knowing I had got in. The Elgin was packed (old theatre, perfect place, everyone close), and we started off with the film (some sound problems at the outset, which was a laugh) -- a fine film, captures the Carnegie Hall concert well, and some of the history, just a great wallow. And then Roger Ebert came out, introduced Harold (Harold!) to a massive standing ovation, and then out came the Weavers, very simply, Eric Darling, Fred Hellerman, Ronnie Gilbert (who I had seen before), Pete Seeger (Pete Seeger!!!), and Eric Weissberg. They sang four songs, When the Saints, Music in My Mother's House, Wimoweh, and (surprise) Goodnight Irene. The most touching moments for me were when Pete did a little bango work (frail, not frailing), and, at the end of Irene, he took the verse that ended with: "Sing me one last song." And then they were gone. Man o man. The Weavers!! Man o man!! Still buzzing!!

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: black walnut
Date: 18 Sep 04 - 07:39 AM

JeffM (who was at the concert) emailed me at 2:00AM this morning!!! Sounds like it was a great show and quite a party!!! Details, JeffM, Details. And Mike, and anyone else who was there.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: MAG
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 09:27 PM

He was at the Jonesborough Storytelling Festival not all that long ago, and less than 10   years ago was at Folklife in Seattle.

Folklife   is free; the storytelling has an admission charge but nobody gets paid. Both times he got people siiinging with little apparent effort.

One class act. no pun intended. or, maybe it was.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 08:20 PM

Well put!! He has sung and supported both sides over the years (think back to the 50s and up to the present).   Humanity is what he is about.   And his talent and charisma helps achieve his and, hopefully our, goals.

Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: EBarnacle
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 07:26 PM

I just looked up Oh, Had I a Golden Thread" in "Where have all the Flowers Gone?" According to Pete, he got his inspiration from "Nearer My God to Thee." One thing about Pete, he makes it a point to cite his sources.

I expect to see him Oct 2 at the Clearwater Annual Meeting, where he will pick up his banjo and do a song or two. He has been contemplating retirement for quite a while. Neither he nor Toshi is as young as they were and they wish to enjoy their works, which are many.

He is aware of his deterioration and is handling it like the gentleman he is. When Lady Hillary and I ran into him at the Revival, he said "I know I know you but I forget your name." I supplied it and introduced him to Lady Hillary.

One thing that gets little mention is his art work. He is an inveterate sketcher and painter. If you have one of his drawings, you have a treasure. He did many as throwaways but they are really nice. [Take that from my other hat as an art dealer.]

He has been a participant in and a spur to many of the public actions of the past 65 years. He has not been an idle observer. How many people can say they created a movement that saved a river?

In re: Palestine Pete does not line up against, except what he sees as injustice and hate. He is for the Palestinian and Israeli people, not the killers. When peace comes, part of the reason will be people who grew up singing his songs together. He has been consistent in this sort of stand for at least the past 35 years.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: Peace
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 06:26 PM

Does anyone know where Meeka is?

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: Once Famous
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 05:18 PM

Post number 100!

I hope Pete does a benefit for Israel.

Or for 9/11 victims.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 05:07 PM

You folks have me thinking of "A Handful Of Songs"---by Jerry Rasmussen !

Pete has played all along during the times you are talking about. He came to Chicago and did a benefit for me when my health first went south---1991. He did a fine concert with old friends Caty Fink & Marcy Marxer around 2001 or '02. He was here in Chicago and joined the group WEAVERMANIA on stage at a concert at The Chicago Historical Society -- and wound up doing half the concert with them. And, of course, in recent times, Pete has been singing with his grandson, Tau Rodriguez.

I think what this retirement means is that Pete will only be doing bnefits.


Art

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: Deckman
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 04:37 PM

I still have his capo Maggy. You may have it back anytime you choose. Actually, I have quite a collection of capos from passed friends. Bob

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 04:22 PM

I can attest to Deckman's practice of adopting a "touchstone." He asked to poke through my Dad's guitar case looking for such an object after Dad died. The guitar case was of course the perfect place to locate such an object, since music was so important to Dad and that's how he made so many friends. (I don't remember what you picked up, but I did the same thing ahead of you--I went straight for the tuning fork that I'd always loved to play with as a child).

SRS

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: GUEST,Brian
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 02:23 PM

I am a little confused.
Articles on this Seeger concert (Toronto Sun today) have been of the impression that Pete Seeger has not performed in public in two decades.
I went back to an article at the top of this thread and it states he has refused to play for a "paying" public since 1982. That's some difference in reality.

Ah, journalism. I guess its how things are interpreted - but I can pretty much say that I saw him at Toronto's Ontario Place Forum with Arlo Guthrie around about 1984 or 1985, since it was with my wife, who was not known to me until then.

In any case, maybe then he took no money from that performance or he and Arlo donated to some thing and did it pro bono otherwise, etc.

But to think that Pete Seeger had not performed in "public" for 20 years is passing strange to me. He MUST have been playing and singing somewhere - Clearwater and all the other causes?

Brian

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 02:12 PM

One of the photos I took of Pete (in my collection) is quite dark but nonetheless impressive I think. It was taken on stage. I was so excited to be actually picking with Pete--my first time ever to be doing that. Since I had my camera around my neck, I just had to try a shot---as luck would have it - right into the colored spot lights. If I'm correct, we were at the Great River Folk Festival on the campus of the University Of Wisconsin at LaCrosse.

Real nostalgia.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: Ellenpoly
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 10:11 AM

Nice thread.

I met Mr Seeger for a brief instant with my brother, in the lobby of the St Mortiz Hotel in NYC. Pete was on his way to some kind of folk convention, but he took the time to chat with us (my brother had met him at his high school when he was President of the folk club, and Seeger had come to perform and talk with the group.)Whether or not Pete actually remembered my brother, I'll never know, but he certainly acted as if he had and was warm and treated him like a fellow "artist". He even invited my brother to join him upstairs, which sadly, he wasn't able to do.

Having seen Pete Seeger perform, and having seen him respond to an awed teen-aged boy and his kid sister both told me what I needed to know- He's a Prince of a Man and a King of Folk Music.

..xx..e

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: black walnut
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 08:43 AM

Big article in the Toronto Star this morning about the movie and the concert. We (my husband and I) were given 2 free tickets yesterday to see the Saturday 11 o'clock showing of the movie. We won't get to witness the historic concert, but it'll be a treat nontheless, to see the movie during the Film Festival.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: Tannywheeler
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 03:13 AM

Much nicer, children.

And thank you, whoever said it; about Pete's best instrument being his audience -- whether of one (see individ. stories above), a hundred, or several thousands. Tw.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: Deckman
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 02:36 AM

Hi Art!

Yes, Pete is a touchstone. "Touchstone" is an interesting word, and well chosen by you.

As I'm so damned old as I am, I have unfortunatly outlived many friends. Whenever this has occurred, I always try to get what I call a "touchstone." That is, something, usually small and of little value that that person "touched" every day, and reminds me of them everytime that I touch it. My "touchstones" include things like: a favorite conductors baton; a tie, a penknife used to open his everyday mail, etc.
The wonderful thing about Pete Seeger is that we still have him. And as followers in his traditions, we are ALL "touchstones" to his ongoing legacy. CHEERS, Bob

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 16 Sep 04 - 07:56 PM

Aye, Bob, I did the same----but never got that degree. Just kept pickin' until I couldn't. And through it all, Pete was there. He was a touchstone. I use a walker now when I can as a touchstone of sorts. And Pete Seeger endures...

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: Deckman
Date: 16 Sep 04 - 05:02 PM

Frank ... "Any great one is standing on the shoulders of someone else, and Pete has broad shoulders." That's a GREAT line, may I use it?

I wanted to add a little something to this thread. I first met Pete when he and Sonny Terry and J.C. Burrows (sp?) came to Seattle about 1956 or 57. I helped to organize and promote him in a concert at the Moore theater. That was important as it was just about the first of the concerts he did where he finally started breaking the blacklisting. I put them all up at my house for a week or so ... not really a strain on me, quite a pleasure actually!!!

About two years later, he was in Seattle again. At that time, I was disgusted with my initial two years of college, I had an itchy foot, and I wanted to go to San Francisco with Don Firth to win my way to wealth and fame. Of course that meant that I would be dropping out of college.

One afternoon, I was expressing my delemma to Pete. I think I said something stupid like: "Geeze. I want to drop out of college, just like you, and travel the world and sing songs!"

He sat me down and lectured me for half an hour about what a dumb idea that was and how he'd wished he stayed in school and earned his college degree.

I've always remembered that story fondly. I didn't get my degree until I was 35. Pretty dumb ... eh? CHEERS and thanks again for this thread. Bob

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: Peace
Date: 16 Sep 04 - 04:12 PM

And that's true.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: GUEST,Frank Hamilton
Date: 16 Sep 04 - 04:05 PM

Hi Ron,

Didn't mean to imply that you didn't love and admire Pete because I know you do. Like me, you are one of his fans for sure. Guess I didn't make myself clear enough. I was really answering the idea that musicians don't just sprout out of the ground. Any great one is standing on the shoulders of someone else and Pete has broad shoulders.

As to the Palestinian thing, Pete is a peacemaker and always has been. He has always been compassionate about those that are oppressed, regardless of where they live.

"Con los pobres de la Tierra, quero yo me suerte echar".

That's Pete.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: Folkiedave
Date: 16 Sep 04 - 02:07 PM

I saw Pete perform in the UK twice once at the Manchester FTH and once in Liverpool at the Spinners Tenth birthday concert (about 1962/3) And I didn't ravel 150 miles to see the Spinners.

Thanks for the memories Pete.

Dave

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: Alonzo M. Zilch (inactive)
Date: 16 Sep 04 - 01:40 PM

Please post a report Mike.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: Mike Regenstreif
Date: 16 Sep 04 - 11:32 AM

I was honoured to have received a VIP invitation to attend the event, and the private reception afterward, and will be heading to Toronto tomorrow for it.

Although I've known Pete for 30+ years and have probably seen him perform 50 or 60 times, I think this will be a very special, emotional event.

Note to Martin Gibson: I won't pretend to speak for Pete about his stance on Palestinian issues. However, from what I've been able to discern, his support for a just peace for both sides, and a Palestinian state, is not inconsistent with the position of the vast majority of Israelis themselves.

Mike Regenstreif

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 15 Sep 04 - 11:09 PM

of course you can stay, just try to be nicer to everybody!

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: van lingle
Date: 15 Sep 04 - 09:38 PM

I never met the man but he still seems like such an enormous part of my life. Thanks all, for sharing your memories and insights while celebrating Pete. vl

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 15 Sep 04 - 06:53 PM

All I know about Pete was his enormous wisdom about life, but I never met him or seen him sing a crowd. I did have his Banjo book for years and with it learned a few great folk songs. I must say though it wasn't just about the Banjo.

So here's a toast to you Mr Pete Seeger who has touched with kindness so many, may your retirement be as much fun as the many songs we sing with you.


And I would give anything to get my hands on that Martin 0018 to see if I could get some songs from it.

With much love and peace to everybody in these most holy days!

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: GUEST,Obie
Date: 15 Sep 04 - 04:42 PM

Sorry for the blank, I hit the wrong key.
I have never had the pleasure of seeing Pete live, and although I have loved his music, my respect for him comes more from his dedication to the cause of helping others improve their lot in life. The music , of course, gave him the openings , but his spirit runs much deeper. Many so called stars of music only use their talent to increase their personal wealth. The man could have made a vast fortune with his talent and name but chose instead to stand for his beliefs. For that , Pete I salute you!

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: GUEST,Obie
Date: 15 Sep 04 - 04:22 PM

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: Once Famous
Date: 15 Sep 04 - 04:07 PM

Sorry, weelittle drummer

I never said that Pete Seeger is rubbish and have no intention to.

I don't see any threads here by invitation only or even one that says "Stay out if You don't agree with us."

This is an open forum. You need to be able to control how far your shorts creep.

Schools out.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: jack halyard
Date: 15 Sep 04 - 03:54 PM

"To everything (turn turn turn) there is a season, (turn turn turn)
And a time to every purpose under heaven."

What a season Pete Seeger has had, and what a purpose has he fulfilled. I think the length of this thread proves mudcat is still a solid body of folkies. Here's to ol' Pete and to Mudcatters. Your good health all! Jack Halyard.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger's last concert
From: GUEST,Barnyard Philospher
Date: 15 Sep 04 - 03:43 PM

MG is just like a rooster who thinks the sun came up because he crowed.