Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Pete Seeger, Mr American Folk Music (1919-2014).

Those of us who grew up familiar with American folk music, even if we are not American, owe a debt to Pete Seeger for the inspirational songs that came to be associated with him (even if he was not always their composer). This is just a short list:

We Shall Overcome
Home on the Range
Where Have All the Flowers Gone
If I Had a Hammer
Guantanamera
Swanee River
On Top of Old Smokey
We Shall Not Be Moved
Turn, Turn, Turn
Kisses Sweeter Than Wine
Freight Train
Red River Valley
This Land is Your Land

Imagine non-Americans singing "This Land is Your Land" with gusto. But we did!

Slate Magazine online has a stirring tribute to Seeger, who died on Monday, aged 94:

http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/obit/2014/01/pete_seeger_dead_at_94_we_shall_overcome_singer_embodied_the_spirit_of_folk.html

Finally, there is a YouTube compilation of the songs that are associated with him:

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=AL94UKMTqg-9BErVghzNetF_L6bOqQyzjH

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