640. Pete Seeger

(April 2025) Episode 640 of the “opus project” is PETE SEEGER along with his early groups the ALMANAC SINGERS and THE WEAVERS. It’s hard to overstate Seeger’s importance in the popularization and dissemination of folk music and musicians, and for helping make folk a medium for social and political causes like peace and the environment. He co-founded the topic-heavy Almanac Singers (which included Woody Guthrie) in the 1940s, but even after changing groups and downplaying the political messaging, Seeger and the Weavers still couldn’t escape political persecution. His solo career was as varied as it was long (he recorded into his 90s). He directed musical attention to children, both in performance and on record. He also made instructional records for banjo and guitar; the album ‘12-String Guitar as Played by Leadbelly’ is a gem of musicology. Not blessed with a strong voice, I am not likely to put on his songs for a casual listening experience. But because of his contribution to music and history, and the fact that he wrote so many songs that have become standards, it is well to know his work. (For me it’s impossible to listen to the Weavers without thinking of their being mockumentary-ized in A Mighty Wind.)

Favorite album: Broadside Ballads, Vol. 2

Favorite song: Which Side Are You On?

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: His ‘American Favorite Ballads’ series on the Folkways label, released in five volumes from 1957-62, is a good collection. And try that Leadbelly homage album.