Banjoista8N - Posted - 01/27/2015:  18:30:36

Thought it would be a shame not to remember this banjo Titan on this 1st anniversary of his passing.

Would very much enjoy seeing/hearing some original takes on his songs by BHO participants...what do you say?

B8n

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 01/27/2015:  20:03:29

When he passed i read so many books about him. His favorite 4 letter word was love and his 2nd favorite word was share. He was a good man. I loved it when he let his voice soar. His instructional album showed such versatility on the banjo.

Thank you for noting his 1 year mark.

ken

raharris - Posted - 01/28/2015:  05:24:56

Pete Seeger, One Year Gone by Mark Aldrich

​A multimedia essay by the author of the Gad About Town blog

While I was writing this, I came across this video, produced by our local newspaper, the Times Herald-Record, of Pete Seeger singing and leading an audience (at a local high school, where else?) in “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” He coaxes a lovely rendition and offers an editorial comment that rouses the audience to cheers. It was recorded just before his 90th birthday—he was performing until a couple months before his death, one year ago today—and it captures almost everything one needs to remember this grand man.

Pete Seeger -- Somewhere over the Rainbow sing-along

Edited by - raharris on 01/28/2015 05:25:45

UncleClawhammer - Posted - 01/28/2015:  07:37:44

Pete Seeger is the reason I play the banjo. His playing and singing are often overshadowed by his legacy of outspoken activism, which is also commendable, but for me, the music always comes first. People don't often call attention to what a talented musician he truly was. His repertoire was enormous, his accompaniments ingenious, understated and always suited to the song, and he phrases a lyric in a way that few can. While I ended up being more of a Mike Seeger guy (in other words, interested in earthier and more esoteric forms of folk music than what Pete played and seemed to gravitate to), I never would have discovered the rugged, sinewy sounds of old-time music if not for the spark that Pete lit that grew into a burning passion for folk music. He could sometimes come across as over-earnest, but everything he did was completely sincere and he always had the courage of his convictions. I will always admire the man.

The fact that some people seem to still be stuck in the McCarthy era hardly matters. That stupid article doesn't offend my political sensibilities, which I'll have the courtesy to keep to myself, as much as it appalls me as a journalism student and a lover of the English language. I guess the price we pay for having the sum of all human knowledge available at the click of the mouse is the fact that any Joe Blow from Kokomo is now guaranteed to have a pedestal to trample the Mother Tongue underfoot on. In the words of Oscar Wilde when asked at his trial if he found a work offensive, "It was worse; it was badly written."

Texasbanjo - Posted - 01/28/2015:  07:49:53

I have hidden several posts that were political in nature.  If your  post is missing, it was either political or quoted something political.  

We had problems last year when people started in with Pete's political "leanings" and seems to be like several posts and maybe several topics were locked back then because people couldn't quit talking about his political leanings.

If you wish to remember the man, please try to remember the good, not the bad or the ugly.  My mother always taught me if you couldn't say something nice about someone, don't say anything at all.  Good teachings.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 01/28/2015:  07:54:15

quote:

---

Originally posted by Texasbanjo

I have hidden several posts that were political in nature.  If your  post is missing, it was either political or quoted something political.  

We had problems last year when people started in with Pete's political "leanings" and seems to be like several posts and maybe several topics were locked back then because people couldn't quit talking about his political leanings.

If you wish to remember the man, please try to remember the good, not the bad or the ugly.  My mother always taught me if you couldn't say something nice about someone, don't say anything at all.  Good teachings.

---

Sherry:

I am really sorry you took my post down. It was historical and was not dealing in current political situations. It may have been philosophical, but it was not political. and what I said was good about him which is in conjunction with your advice. The man's heart was integral to his music.

Thanks for listeneing.

ken

Edited by - From Greylock to Bean Blossom on 01/28/2015 07:55:51

Bill Anderson - Posted - 01/28/2015:  08:18:50

I love Pete

robbif - Posted - 01/28/2015:  08:20:58

I thought this was sweet...

robbif - Posted - 01/28/2015:  08:23:23

Here's a wonderful memory I was thrilled to capture. I'm hoping it's not too political and doesn't have to be removed.



 

Edited by - robbif on 01/28/2015 08:37:36

raybob - Posted - 01/28/2015:  08:24:12

I miss Pete too.  The world is a better place for him having been here.

(The timely removal of Nick's post would've been a real good quick-fix.)

a g cole - Posted - 01/28/2015:  08:49:15

Sherry:  Thank you for  hiding the political posts.  Personally, I am pretty passionate in my political views, but have tried to refrain from expressing them in BHO forums.  I have even pointed out to a few other members that they have delved into political and religious matters, both in violation of BHO policy.  They have often failed to honor the rules.  I am not shy about expressing my religious/political views, but I'll find someplace other than this forum to express them.  Without any commentary on Pete's political views, I agree that he was a great person.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 01/28/2015:  08:49:40

IN watching Fred's wonderful filming of Pete it suddenly struck me that Pete has some of the same voice inflections of Kathryn Hepburn. I guess it would be called very New England.

Ken

robbif - Posted - 01/28/2015:  08:59:52

I was looking through some local news articles, and forgot this one has a photo of my first time meeting Pete in person (1996).

Pete was almost a neighbor here in Dutchess County.

 

 

Edited by - robbif on 01/28/2015 09:01:13

PeterJ - Posted - 01/28/2015:  13:00:22

Growing up in Westchester County, I was lucky to see Pete many times -- he played local festivals and came to my schools several times over the years. He was always passionate about his causes, but mot of all, he wanted everyone to feel like it was okay to sing out loud. How could you resist him?

As a banjo player, there were/are very few with his kind of talent and instinct. Any style, from flamenco to classical, was on the menu, and he played it all fluently. He's a hero of mine for many reasons.

Joe Connor - Posted - 01/28/2015:  19:02:15

There are a lot of tapes of Pete on Youtube: from a 1947 film ("To Hear Your Banjo Play"), through some 1951 tapes of the Weavers to Pete's later solo performances.

One of the interesting aspects of Pete's banjo work is his back-up playing. He managed to play interesting things without intruding on the vocals. Recently, I've been watching those tapes and picking up some pretty good ideas for back-up playing and a few neat back-up licks. I consider it time well spent.

robbif - Posted - 01/28/2015:  19:16:20

GET this DVD!!! 

Here's the trailer...

robbif - Posted - 01/28/2015:  19:23:27

Link to all Pete's Rainbow Quest TV shows HERE.

Paul R - Posted - 01/28/2015:  22:11:00

A couple of shots from '81, Ontario Place, with a certain A. Guthrie.

Pete can never be replaced.

Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seeger

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 01/28/2015:  22:48:41

Here is the link to watch  the full Power of Song that Fred mentioned:

pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/e...ong/2864/

ken

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 01/28/2015:  23:04:17

Robbif,

since you live close to Pete's home overlooking the Hudson, do you know what has been done with it? I always wanted to visit it and see the house that he built by hand. I had hopes they would make it a museum.

Ken

Buzzsaw - Posted - 01/29/2015:  06:30:58

 I have always enjoyed Pete's Singing and Banjo Playing and although I may not of agreed with his politics I've always pushed that to the side.  Pete Seeger was a Good Man at Heart.   When I started Playing Banjo 3 years ago I found a video of Pete teaching Banjo and I was excited to watch and learn all the tricks from this Master of the 5 string... Well, it it was a very short video with very little actual Banjo Playing but in his own unique way Pete wrapped it all up in a very simple, yet comical  way.... I Believe This quote highlights the Banjo wisdom  of Pete Seeger.

"... Learning How to Play Banjo Is as Easy as Learning how to walk.  Heck,  that only took you a couple of years."

Pete Seeger

That Quote Stuck in my head every time I thought about quitting Learning the Banjo and so I'd have to say, Yes, Pete Seeger has helped me in my Banjo Journey.           Thank You Pete

Edited by - Buzzsaw on 01/29/2015 06:44:53

Joe Connor - Posted - 01/29/2015:  07:45:46

"Rainbow Quest" is an amazing show. Pete is such a relaxed host and really kept the focus on the music, which is where it should be. You feel like you're just hanging out with him in his living room. Compare that atmosphere with the frenetic pace of the Hootenanny show. Unfortunately, "Rainbow Quest" was ahead of its time. It would have zero appeal for a network. However, a couple of decades later, with the advent of cable TV, I could see it having a nice run.

The best part of the show is getting to watch legendary performers up close and personal. The camera work really allows you to see what people like Mississippi John Hurt and Libba Cotten were playing. It was fun to see the Clancy Brothers and hear Liam Clancy and Tom Makem playing their instruments. (Where was Tommy Clancy?). Tom Paxton looks so young that you have to wonder if he had to have a hall pass or parental approval to appear. Pete had Johnny Cash on and it's interesting that Cash repaid the favor later by having Pete on his network show, driving a final nail in the blacklist coffin.

The dream show would have had Flatt and Scruggs as guests. I would have loved to have seen the interplay between Pete and them and would also have loved to hear them playing together. 

Edited by - Joe Connor on 01/29/2015 07:50:20

BanjoRW - Posted - 01/29/2015:  12:27:07

I'm sure Heaven is a little brighter for you being there.!

robbif - Posted - 01/29/2015:  14:52:42

I hope this link is public, from the Towne Crier Cafe's Facebook page...



Last night 70 people showed up and 34 performed at a special open mic to

honor Pete Seeger. And his spirit filled the room. For example: Bonnie

Champion called a few of her (and Pete's) friends to the stage for a

sing-along.

 

robbif - Posted - 01/29/2015:  15:18:22

quote:

---

Originally posted by From Greylock to Bean Blossom

Here is the link to watch  the full Power of Song that Fred mentioned:

pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/e...ong/2864/

ken

---

Ken, Thanks for the link. I looked for that but obviously did not find it!

robbif - Posted - 01/29/2015:  15:20:26

quote:

---

Originally posted by From Greylock to Bean Blossom

Robbif,

since you live close to Pete's home overlooking the Hudson, do you know what has been done with it? I always wanted to visit it and see the house that he built by hand. I had hopes they would make it a museum.

Ken

---

Ken, I wish I knew. I'll see if i can find out.

A friend of mine, the president of the local historical society told me he went up the narrow winding road where he was committed to go all the way, And did visit with Pete, I'll see if he knows anything.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 01/29/2015:  17:57:35

quote:

---

Originally posted by robbif

quote:

---

Originally posted by From Greylock to Bean Blossom

Robbif,

since you live close to Pete's home overlooking the Hudson, do you know what has been done with it? I always wanted to visit it and see the house that he built by hand. I had hopes they would make it a museum.

Ken

---

Ken, I wish I knew. I'll see if i can find out.

A friend of mine, the president of the local historical society told me he went up the narrow winding road where he was committed to go all the way, And did visit with Pete, I'll see if he knows anything.

---

Thanks Fred,

Ken

Lew H - Posted - 01/29/2015:  19:50:59

Sherry,  I didn't think my deleted comments were political, but they were unthinkingly snarky in response to another person's post. So thanks for removing my intempreate post.

Helix - Posted - 01/30/2015:  05:15:50

Here's Fred Starner's pre-war Whyte Laydie, the neck was carved by a luthier in Calif. who hid it from Fred because he wanted him to play classical on the banjo, not that Seeger crap.



Here is a true road warrior's banjo, a man jack of a deck hand on the Clearwater, swung in the rigging with Pete,



Fred finished his movie about the music of the Hobos and caught the westbound in 2009.



"Watch for my comrades by the side of the track, I know there's some that'll never be back."



I don't miss anybody, we just keep going, and we pass it on to some young kid down the line. A neighbor kid came over, he was surprised there were verses to "This Land". He has black skin, that day, the old white guys took him down the river on a musical journey, his grandfather had to come and get him away from us. He was using a wooden box and sticks. . Now I am his bodyguard.



The goodtime police came by. Do you know what they said? They said, "Carry on!"

 

Edited by - Helix on 01/30/2015 05:21:03

Joe Connor - Posted - 01/30/2015:  06:19:43

Good ol' Fred Starner. He was a professor at Drew University in Madison, N.J., in the '60s, about two miles from me. He'd have Pete come out for a concert at Drew every year, so I got to see Pete perform a lot in those years. It was amazing to watch Pete in front of such a receptive audience.  After the first Seeger concert I attended, I went to the local music store the next day and talked my parents into buying me a banjo (a Harmony Resotone).

Rex Hunt should chime in because I think he was around Drew in those years (and a member of a very good bluegrass band called Bottle Hill).

PeterJ - Posted - 01/30/2015:  12:05:45

quote:

---

Originally posted by Helix

...who hid it from Fred because he wanted him to play classical on the banjo, not that Seeger crap.

---

That's pretty funny, Larry! I guess that luthier would have been disappointed to hear this:

youtube.com/watch?v=CT_zZB4ZQRA

Banjoista8N - Posted - 01/30/2015:  16:55:00

Peter
Nice find!
Thx

Helix - Posted - 01/31/2015:  03:38:05

The tradition is to also play it on the 12 string. Fred played it both on the banjo and guitar.

My personal belief is that we see each other again. I'm busy right now, I'll have time for that later.

The music we make still makes a difference.

Don Huber - Posted - 02/01/2015:  23:33:18

@ Joe Connor: not being disrespectful, but from what Tom Clancy himself had said about his drinking, he might not have been able to answer the bell for the early morning taping of the show.