the very best of peter, paul & mary

Rating:
Date: 2008-05-01
When Folk and Pop Collided
Listening to these powerful and earnest songs some 40 plus years on is to marvel at the times they were created in. Modern Folk music has its roots in socially progressive activism (think Pete Seeger or Woody Guthrie) which then evolved into the more psychedelic aspects of Bob Dylan. The magic of Peter, Paul and Mary was in the presentation. They mixed sweet harmonies into the messages and then took them to the pop charts. As such, their importance to musical history simply can not be understated.

Their discography includes top ten singles from Seeger ("If I Had a Hammer"), Dylan ("Blowing In The Wind") and powerful statements of their own. "The Great Mandela" is the apex of 60's moral questions; Do you fight for your country or do you resist the ethical quagmire of an unjust war? Even today, it's a song that can knock the wind out of your chest.

Yet at the same time, innocence is present in the childrens' classic "Puff The Magic Dragon" or the gently humorous "I Dig Rock and Roll Music." Paul Stookey contributed one of the most romantic songs of all time when he composed "The Wedding Song/There Is Love" as a gift for Peter's wedding. And when Mary discovered the song "For Baby (For Bobbie)," PP&M inadvertently introduced the world to a young John Denver. It was Denver's "Leaving On a Jet Plane" that ultimately gave PP&M their sole number one single (and helped launch Denver's pop conquest).

Peppered among the hits on this collection are choice album tracks - like "Mandela" - and solo songs, as well as songs from the reunions in the 80's and beyond. Rhino has once again done an exquisite job on the remaster, and the liner notes offer a nice historical perspective. It updates the older Ten Years Together beautifully. While the music may seem quaint to younger ears, to this aging pair of lobes, there is still power to be had in a seamless blend of voices backed by little more than wood and strings. 100% essential.

Also recommended: Pete Seeger's Greatest Hits and This Land Is Your Land: The Asch Recordings, Vol. 1.

Rating:
Date: 2008-04-22
incredible songs and hits from Peter, Paul & Mary
The Very Best of Peter, Paul & Mary is an impressive CD with twenty-five (yes, twenty-five) wonderful folk rock songs by Peter, Paul & Mary. They sing and play beautifully; and this album proves they were--and still are--extremely talented. The sound quality is excellent and the artwork is very well done.

"Early In The Morning" starts the CD with some great harmonizing and they sing their separate parts well, too. The guitar work is beautiful and Peter, Paul & Mary never sounded better! "Lemon Tree" is a classic folk rock song and this always was one of my very favorite tunes by Peter, Paul & Mary. They sound great and the guitars work well for "Lemon Tree." "If I Had A Hammer" is a song of hope for a better future and a better quality of life than people had in the turbulent 1960s; and these musicians don't ever miss a beat!

"Puff, The Magic Dragon" still manages to tug at my heartstrings even though I first heard it roughly forty years ago; this touching song really is very beautiful. I don't know if the rumors about hidden meanings of the lyrics are true or not; I just like the song for what it is at face value. "This Land Is Your Land" is a stunning ballad that gets the royal treatment from Peter, Paul & Mary who sing this with panache, heart and soul. It's a beautiful and somewhat catchy number that is clearly a major highlight of this album. "Blowin' In The Wind" also stuns me with its beauty; Peter, Paul & Mary sing this to perfection--and beyond! Peter, Paul & Mary cry out for social justice and this all works very well.

"Stewball" was always one of my favorite Peter, Paul & Mary songs even though it wasn't their very biggest hits; this tune about a horse that ran good races is very touching. "Leaving On A Jet Plane," however, is definitely one of their greatest hits; and I especially like Mary's contributions to the vocals on this number. "I Dig Rock And Roll Music" shines like silver and gold when they do this awesome cover; and I predict you'll love this number if you haven't heard it already.

"Day Is Done" has great vocal effects and I really like "Day Is Done." "Wedding Song (There Is Love)" gives us a particularly sensitive ballad that showcases Peter, Paul & Mary's fine vocal talents. The album ends with "Don't Laugh At Me;" this song about people, relationships, and the need for respect for all the people makes a fine ending to this great album.

Peter, Paul & Mary will never be forgotten; their music is timeless and this album proves it. I highly recommend this album for their fans; and people who love folk rock music will love this album forever.

Rating:
Date: 2008-04-12
Amazing
I was born in 1980 I am a music collector. I like the music from the sixtees and seventees because it's PURE music no computers just the harmony of the instruments and the vocals. This cd of Peter, Paul & Mary was a gift from my father and all I can say is that it is a delight to put my headphones and listen to this music, the harmony voice<>instument is amazing it's a true collector's gift. I would tell anyone who has a doubt about buying this cd, don't doubt about it just buy it and you won't regret it

Rating:
Date: 2008-03-21
The exquisite sound of Peter, Paul, and Mary
Peter, Paul, and Mary were among the best known folk singers of their time. Their voices interacted so well one with another. Their harmonies are classic. This CD has 25 songs on it, including a handful of later pieces. However, most are from the 1960s and early 1970s.

My reactions to a handful of the cuts:

"Lemon Tree" is one of their early treasures. Recurring lines:

"Don't put your faith in love,
Love is like a lemon tree.
Lemon tree very pretty. . . .
But the fruit of the lemon is impossible to eat."

A love song with an unhappy ending. Harmonies are great, with simple instrumental support. Neat song indeed!

Pete Seeger's "If I Had a Hammer" is another classic. Peter, Paul, and Mary fans will be tapping their toes as they listen to this. An enchanting work.

Another Seeger song, "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" This was one of the first anti-war songs I listened to in the 1960s. From the opening lines about "Where have all the flowers gone" to "Where have all the Husbands gone" to "Where have all the soldiers gone" to "Gone to graveyards, every one." Another of their classic tunes.

Then there is "Puff the Magic Dragon." Dopes in the 1960s thought that this was a druggie song. I don't hear that message at all here. Another enchanting song, with a poignant close.

And now for something completely different. . . Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are a-Changin'." This version is very different from the composer's. But Peter, Paul, and Mary place their own imprint on the song and it works well on those terms.

And there's so much more. . . . Other Dylan works abound ("Blowin' in the Wind," "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right," etc.). And "Stewball." And "500 Miles." And "Leavin' on a Jet Plane." One of my absolute favorites of theirs is on this CD: "The Great Mandela."

Peter, Paul, and Mary fans should be well pleased with this CD. And those not so familiar with the trio will find this a nice entree into their body of work. All in all, an estimable work.

Rating:
Date: 2008-02-23
The Very Best of Peter, Paul & Mary
I have always enjoyed music by Peter, Paul & Mary and therefore I am enjoying this CD very much.

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