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Country music reclaimed its traditional soul with the chart-topping triumph of the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack. This concert sequel, recorded (and filmed) at Nashville's venerable Ryman Auditorium, reunites Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, Alison Krauss and Union Station, and other O Brother standouts. With little duplication, the selection extends the movie's revival of acoustic spirituals and Appalachian balladry, though the performances and pacing of the concert aren't quite as consistently compelling as the studio soundtrack. Among the highlights are a pair of originals by Welch and David Rawlings, the bluesy "Dear Someone" and the Everlyesque "I Want to Sing That Rock and Roll." Where O Brother interspersed archival recordings among the contemporary artistry, the concert finds Nashville gospel's Fairfield Four harmonizing on the chain-gang chant of "Po' Lazarus," while the late John Hartford (in one of his final performances) renews the deadpan whimsy of "Big Rock Candy Mountain." --Don McLeese ... Read more

Reviews (52)

Not as good as the soundtrack, but still worth the money!
After three years of being dominated by mediocre, middle of the road pop singers with only marginal talent, country music was finally given a wakeup call with the unexpected success of the O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU soundtrack. The double platinum soundtrack has become one of the most successful albums of the year, and has proved to Nashville that the roots of country music are still thriving.

DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAIN is the companion to the hugely popular soundtrack. Recorded live in Nashville in May, 2000, the album features several of the songs made popular by O BROTHER, as well as many songs recorded by the artists from the soundtrack. While it lacks the variety of the first CD, DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAIN sports several songs that make it a fine album to own, regardless of whether they were on the O BROTHER album or not. Standouts include the Cox Family's "Will There Be Any Stars In My Crown," Emmylou Harris's "Green Pastures," Gillian Welch's "I Want To Sing That Rock and Roll," and the Whites' "Sandy Land." DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAIN closes with Gillian Welch and Alison Krauss's duet of "I'll Fly Away." One of the album's best and most bittersweet moments is the late John Hartford's performance of "Big Rock Candy Mountain." Hartford died at age sixty three just a year after the recording was made.

While it isn't as long or enjoyable as the O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU soundtrack, DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAIN is an excellent companion to its prequel. If you enjoyed the soundtrack, you will love this album. Hopefully, DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAIN, which has already appeared on the country album charts, will do its share in the quest to repopularize bluegrass and traditional country music.

Not As Good As Expected
Having read the glowing reviews on Amazon, I picked this up, with high expectations and was let down by the lack of consistency of the music and the mediocre sound quality. Mind you, my criticisms have nothing at all to do with the musical genre - I love folk blues, blues, bluegrass, newgrass, etc. As an example, I'd prefer the Oh Brother version of "I Am Weary" to this live version and although "I'll Fly Away" comes across pretty well on this live version, I prefer the studio version on the Oh Brother soundtrack. I consider "Wild Bill Jones", "Blue and Lonesome", "John Law Burned Down the Liquor Store" and "I'll Fly Away" to be the only high points on this disc.

About the sound quality: Live albums can have exceptional sound but this one does not. For examples of excellent live sound, check out the Weavers at Carnegie Hall and you'll see that it was possible 40 years ago. I'm not trying to say that this disc has horrible sonics, just that they are lower quality than I expected. Modern engineers can pull off excellent live sound on classical (many examples), rock (Zappa and many others) or acoustic music (Hedges), so it's not a limitation of the medium. Maybe the hall this disc was recorded in is difficult to mic?

Check this out ..
This is a cool movie no doubt.
I would have rated it higher -- had I not known that some artists in the movie have never been paid for their performance in it -- hundred of thousands of copies sold -- but zilch has been paid to at least one artist that I personally know.
THey were giving this away on PBS -- to those making a donation --he (artist I know of)is ALL over this movie -- but he has yet to be compensated or recognized by the movie producers.

Just try it, it is addicting.
I never thought I was a fan of this kind of music till the "Oh Brother" movie, but this "Down from the Mountain" performance has added to my new love. The DVD or VCR of this is also a must see, where it was good to get to visit John Hartford one more time. I really enjoyed the backstage, inside glimpse at the performers on the DVD. Every single song on the CD is a good addition to the over-all pleasant experience, and I suggest you buy this CD if you are a true lover of good music, no matter what type of music you prefer.

One of my Top Ten
I purchased this C.D. after "Oh Brother..." spent the whole week of my vacation in the C.D. player of my car. In addition to live versions of some of my favorite songs from "Oh Brother..", it has EVEN MORE terrific bluegrass/folk songs from these great artists. Ignore the funny looks that you get when you blast this in your car - you will enjoy remembering "the good ol' days". ... Read more

Reviews (10)

The Limeliters, Another Great Memory Trip
Having been employed by The Brothers Four at one point in my life I decided that it would be nice to put together a small collection of great folk music from days gone by. In deciding who I wanted in my collection The Limeliters did not enter the thought process (it's true, brain cells were lost during the 60s)until I ran across a "Those who bought so and so also bought The Limeliters" note on one of the selections.

How could I have forgotten The Limelighters and what a blessing to see this album in particular available on CD. Nothing beats Folk Music in live concert form and this particular album while it certainly shows off individual talents, humor and creativity, is enhanced with some great audience participation. That's what folk music was all about and The Limeliters were great at their craft. So chalk up some brain cells restored by The Limeliters and some great folk music to listen to and remember.

Marvelous Music!
This CD presents music that was recorded over 4 years before I was born (the music was recorded on July 28, 29, and 31, 1960). And, although a listener can tell the recording is from this time period, the music is not dated... it's breathtakingly refreshing ... My favorites on this CD are "Molly Malone," and "Seven Daffodils," respectively.

To my mind in the Limeliters' repertoire, this album (and it is one album re-mastered into a CD) is second only to the album entitled, "The Slightly Fabulous Limeliters," which is available as part of a two-album-CD.

I recommend this CD to any folk music lover, any Limeliters fan, or any lover of beautiful vocal harmony. Gorgeous, lush harmonies !

MEMORABLE
As a child, I grew up listening to the Limelighters as my parents had seen their nightclub acts and purchased all their albums. Their songs, which are ballads from across many lands, consist of hilariously funny audience group participation as well as tender songs of love. The Kingston Trio was a fantastic group, but in my mind never held a candle to the genius of the The Limelighters. Lou Gottlieb's quick witted ad-libbing was genius in itself and Alex Hassiliev was the quiet baritone. But Glenn Yarbrough, my favorite, has a clear splendid voice that when accompanied by his beautiful whistling brought forth great tenderness to his ballads of lost loves. This album consists of some of their most memorable songs. My son, also, grew up listening to this tremendous group and now three generations of our family have loved the Limelighters!

SENSATIONAL!
In the early 60's, my Dad hated Folk groups. UNTIL the day Ed Sullivan introduced these guys. And almost overnight, he started BUYING their records. That really says something to me! The Limeliters became a big part of my early years, and I'm sure Lou Gottlieb had a huge influence on the way I think. It's probably hard for today's music listeners to comprehend, but before The Beatles, this singing group was possibly the MOST exciting thing on the American music scene! And to put them in their proper historical context: when they appeared on the same bill during the 70's, The Kingston Trio was the WARM-UP act!

TONIGHT:IN PERSON was their 1st Live album, and their 1st with RCA. There's so much I love here-- great melodies, amazing singing, sharp intelligence & humor. While I ran across this one comparatively "late" (1970!) it's been a favorite of mine for over 30 years now. So many highlights: "There's A Meetin' Here Tonight" (rousing), "Molly Malone" (romantic & tragic), "The Monks Of St. Bernard" (dramatic & hilarious at once), "Hey Li Lee Li Lee" (Lou's "audience-participation" song), "Headin' For The Hills" (one of my favorite historical ballads, about the American Revolution), "Rumania Rumania" (perhaps the most exciting-- and funniest-- on the album) "Have Some Madeira M'Dear" (would this be out of place on Monty Python?) and "Proschai" (the multi-lingual "farewell" song).

The strongest statement I can make about this-- is I feel TONIGHT: IN PERSON is one of the greatest live folk albums EVER recorded. And it's NOT even their BEST one!! (Also check out their Elektra debut, THE LIMELITERS, recently reissued in its entirety on CD by Collector's Choice Music!)

Welcome Back
Thank goodness this marvelous old LP has resurfaced via CD.Of all the folk groups of the 60's, The Limelighters are by far the best---from harmony to humor. It's almost as if I'm there in concert with them again! Glenn Yarbrough's melodic voice shines in "Molly Malone" and "The Far Side Of The Hill".A well done album which I highly recommend to folk music fans. ... Read more

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In a manner that their studio albums never could, Peter, Paul & Mary's live performances indicate much of what shot the trio to fame and influence during the folk revival.They were witty, sincere, and engaging entertainers, with strong, smooth voices and a smart sense of vocal dynamics.This record, originally released in 1964, and compiled from various venues, shows the trio at the top of their stylized game, both as individual performers and as a unit.Material includes the opener "Times They Are A-Changin'" and spirituals "Rock My Soul" and "Jesus Met the Woman," as well as the familiar "500 Miles" and "If I Had a Hammer." --Roy Francis Kasten ... Read more

Reviews (9)

I was there.
I saw PP&M at the Honolulu Amphitheater in 1964. They performed most of the songs from this CD. When the concert was over, there was no encore, only applause. Like Elvis, they had already left the building, and sadly, left us wanting more.

Quintessential P, P, and M!
If you like Peter, Paul, Mary at all, you'll love this live album. This album displays their best voices, humor, and solo selections.

Alive and in concert with their audience
This recording captures the energy, diversity of talent and great vocal style of the trio which epitomized the collective folk conscience of the dynamic '60's. Peter, Paul and Mary became the popular mouthpiece of an idealistic generation which had begun to dare to question war and social injustice, spinning their message with the hearty fiber of love songs (requited and not), folk ballads and humor.

Here is a great selection from a repertoire which helped complete the connection between the labor union roots of Woody Guthrie, the Weavers, and Tom Paxton and the contemporary/traditional sounds of the Limeliters and Kingston Trio with the politically-charged lyrics of Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Phil Ochs and others.

Variety abounds, from the magical "Puff" to the harmonic "Jesus Met the Woman." From the lonesome call of Mary's lead in "500 miles" to the far-flung wit, self-examination and low-tech special effects of "Paultalk," this collection brings you in and wraps you in the enchantment and sing-along emotion that have been the trademarks of PP and M concerts throughout their careers. And the joy and sorrow and hope translate faithfully in the recordings.

It is unfortunate that "must-have" is such an overused phrase, but it surely applies to this effort. Join in, get your feet tapping and heart-strings jumping, and, "if you do not know the words, you'd better learn them," as Peter chides.

Altogether, a fun bit of time-travel and a good workout for that slightly atrophied folk-lobe in your brain.

One of the great all time live records
Recorded during the heydey of PP&M, this album gives you a feel for why they were so popular, especially live. Hearing the songs, some deadly serious, and others funnily serious, you will know why they were the most popular folk rock band during their day. I stiil think they are the best; although Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, America, The Beatles, Arlo and Woody Guthry, Janis Joplin, King Crimson's Court of the Crimson King, and too many other bands that I can't remeber rival them, they spoke the best for the Baby-Boomer generation. My two favotite tracks are still Paul Talk, especially the golf skit, and Car-Car. Much better than the first best of album.

It's like being right there in the audience
Normally a "live" album by any performer is probably avoided by most listeners. Who wants to hear a stage version when you can have the original releases, right? And I agree, avoiding "live" albums like the plague. This album, though, is one of those rare exceptions. The songs are all clear and legible, with very little audience interuptions while they sang their serious songs. But between the songs....that's where this album really stands out! The interactions between Paul Stokey and Peter Yarrow are priceless, prompting spontaneous laughter and applause from the audience. A few of the songs, though, prompted audience response by design. "Blue", a childrens song parody turned into a rock and roll song, is one of those. In all honesty it is difficult to describe, you just have to hear it to appreciate it. "Oh, Rock My Soul" is an audience participation song. But don't be fooled, PP&M guide the audience through the song so skillfully (and with humor) that it becomes one of the highlights of the album. As for Paul's vocal interlude called "Paultalk", it is absolutely priceless and guarenteed to make you laugh along with the audience. Again, you have to hear it to appreciate it. Trust me on this one, you will not be disappointed! ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

In addition to being an activist icon, Pete Seeger is also a singularly ingratiating entertainer whose effortless charm and gentle humor give him a natural rapport with children and adults alike. This expanded edition of the much-loved Children's Concert at Town Hall adds nine songs not on the original 1962 LP, and includes such favorites as "Skip to My Lou," "I've Been Working on the Railroad," "Michael Row the Boat Ashore," "Fifteen Miles on the Erie Canal," and Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land." Seeger's easygoing charisma is in force throughout, making this refreshingly non-condescending fun for all. --Scott Schinder ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Pete Seeger is Great
A Pete Seeger concert is a special moment in time. This recording does awonderful job capturing such a moment at NYC's Town Hall 1962.Here we find Pete Seeger at his best, playing songs for children and theiradults friends. . The charm of Seeger is that he entertains and teaches atthe same time. Whether he's chopping wood on stage, singing about frogs
(Foolish Frog ) or monsters (Abiyoyo ) Pete is great .Like a child ,Seegeris honest, sincere and real. In a world that offers very little in the way of recorded music for children Pete at Town Hall is a must have recording for children of all ages.

hard to believe this is four decades old!
This is the only Pete Seeger CD we have, so I can't compare it to other ones, but I can assure you that this one is GREAT! It's got a lot of songs, some familiar, some not, some short, some long, all delightful. Pete's banter with the audience is gently humorous, very engaging and frames the songs nicely. This isn't exactly a "lullaby" CD and yet my son (almost 3) loves, loves, loves to fall asleep to this at night. I think he finds Pete's talking and singing very comforting -- perhaps because this is a live CD, the experience of listening to it is more human and intimate than it would be with a studio recording. Another thing that makes this CD appealing to children is that Pete makes funny (and not irritating) animal noises, vehicle noises (depending on the song) and other kinds of noises as well -- he uses sound like a prop, making each song vivid for his listeners.
Enjoy!

Fabulous, I grew up on this!
Pete Seeger's voice is warm and pleasing for kids. Album includes a raft of classic American folk tunes, the ones I sing to myself and also use to lull the kids to sleep. ... Read more

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The passing of folk-music pillar Woody Guthrie was fresh on the minds of the participants in the first of the two concerts that make up this live tribute recording. Guthrie had died of Huntington's disease in the fall of 1967; the following January, Bob Dylan, Judy Collins, Pete Seeger, and several other Woody apostles gathered to perform the folk legend's songs at Carnegie Hall. In September of 1970, a second gathering convened in the Hollywood Bowl, this one headlined by Joan Baez, Richie Havens, Arlo Guthrie, and others. Originally released separately on two records, this CD brings both concert recordings together on one brimming CD. Highlights include Dylan and the Band's rowdy reinterpretations of "I Ain't Got No Home," "Dear Mrs. Roosevelt," and "The Grand Coulee Damn" as well as Jack Elliott's "1913 Massacre," Odetta's "Ramblin' Round," and Tom Paxton's "Pastures of Plenty." Readings by actors Will Geer, Robert Ryan, and Peter Fonda from Guthrie's prose link the two concerts into a cohesive whole that Guthrie aficionados will find irresistible. --Steven Stolder ... Read more

Reviews (4)

In 20th Century America, folk singing meant Woody Guthrie
Woody Guthrie was America's troubadour, plain and simple, the man whose picture goes with the encyclopedia entry on "Folk Singer." Like the poets who recited Homer in ancient Greece, Guthrie recreated his songs as he performed then, changing then as occasion demanded and memory allowed. As performed by those who came in his formidable wake, such as Judy Collins, Pete Seeger, Tom Paxton, Odetta and Joan Baez, the songs of Woody Guthrie probably sound better than they ever did before, but their authenticity still rings through and that is what makes them powerful. The concerts from which these performances were taken were intended as celebrations of Guthrie's work. The program was developed by Millard Lampell, who had been a member of the Almanac Singers with Guthrie, and who created a script from Guthrie's songs and writings (narration is provided by Will Geer, Robert Ryan and Peter Fonda). Lampell also wrote the liner notes about Guthrie, "A little guy sloping down a dusty road, looking for something he couldn't name."

Guthrie wrote so many songs that I have no doubt there will be many tracks on this album you have never heard before. My favorite is Tom Paxton's version of "Pastures of Plenty," although I also like the section on the Pacific Northwest, where Bob Dylan sings about "The Grand Coulee Dam" and Judy Collins leads the audience in "Roll on Columbia," while Robert Ryan's narration fills in the gaps. Plus, of course, there is something fundamentally enjoyable about hearing Arlo Guthrie sings his father's songs. This 2-record set on highlights from concerts at Carnegie Hall in 1968 and the Hollywood Bowl in 1970 was condensed to a single CD by eliminating three songs, all of which were written by the artists who performed them rather than Guthrie. All this means is that nothing important was lost in the transition. "A Tribute to Woody Guthrie" is a necessary part of any serious collection of American folk music.

incredible superstar gathering
Amazing! Baez, Collins, Dylan, Paxton and so many more folk rock icons, all in one fabulous concert recording. The singing and playing are uniformly impassioned and excellent, with some of the greatest performances of Woody Guthrie songs ever, in particular Judy Collins singing Deportee so movingly, Tom Paxton brilliantly performing the mock epic Biggest Thing Man Has Ever Done, a great Grand Coulee Dam by Dylan himself, and the list goes on and on. The sound quality is pretty good, but the performances are in a class by themselves. Strongly recommended for all lovers of folk music.

must-own cd!
This cd is excellent and makes a wonderful gift for any music lover. I have played and bought this cd for many friends and all who heard it loved it. The cd contains songs and narrative written by Woody Guthrie but performed at two tribute concerts after his death by artists including Joan Baez, Arlo Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Judy Collins, Pete Seeger, Country Joe McDonald, and more. The background music is provided by The Band. Woody Guthrie's songs on this album, while not all happy by any means, bring out a sense of pride in the listener for our country, for the workingman, for injustices and tragedies suffered and survived. He sings and speaks of many sorrowful things such as the sufferings of migrant workers, miners, hoboes, and the "poor and downtrodden" but the overall message is one of pride and hard work, and love and compassion for your fellow man. I can put on this album when I'm sad or frustrated, or sense myself letting the petty every-day problems of life get me down, and the soul-wrenching folk music of Woody Guthrie never fails to put things back in perspective and a smile back on my face. This is one of my all-time favorite albums that I believe everyone should own!

diverse voices bring alive Woody Guthrie's dustbowl songs
One of my favorite albums. Woodie Guthrie wrote true folk songs. The diverse voices of currently-celebrated folk singers honor his impact on American music. You get a folk sampler of these many talented voices, plus a whirlwind tour of depression-era history, workingman sentiment, politics, etc. The songs are emotionally powerful, spanning a full range from joyous celebration or playful humor to righteous anger or heartbreaking pathos. ... Read more

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Peter, Paul & Mary, Bob Dylan, and the Kingston Trio were youngsters next to the Weavers, but without these acoustic elders, the aforementioned artists may have never found their folk voices. The Weavers were the main catalyst behind the folk explosion of the '50s and early '60s. This album captures the spark that led to that detonation. Certainly the foursome was responsible for the leftist political bent associated with folk music to this day. The Weavers were one of the few musical entities blacklisted during the McCarthy hearings in 1952 after a witness named them as Communists, probably a result of members Lee Hays and Pete Seeger's labor-union activities. In 1955 the quartet reunited for this historic show--and you can still hear the triumphant spirit in the air that night as the group (and audience) delight in the Weavers' brand of eclecticism, moving from Leadbelly and Woody Guthrie covers to old English ballads, African music, New Orleans spirituals, and songs that would soon influence rock & roll. --Bill Holdship ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Weavers Forever!
I was given this album in the late 1950s when a young teenager. Since then I of course became a Bob Dylan disciple, then became heavily addicted to the best British rock and pop music, through The Who, The Beatles, Kinks, Animals and all the other members of that extraordinary 1960s caravanserai.

And amidst all that was the explosion into my consciousness of great classical music, experienced through the likes of Oistrakh and Richter, Giulini and Klemperer, Schwarzkopf and Popp.

I still love ALL types of great music. And I still regularly return to The Weavers and still marvel at their art and their commitment. And of all their recordings I have heard since they first impinged on my young consciousness, this 1955 concert at Carnegie Hall is still the freshest, thumpingest, foot-stomping best. Buy it now. No matter what your age, it will enrich your musical life forever.

I DARE YOU NOT TO SING ALONG
I never saw/heard The Weavers live, but I have many of their albums and have played this particular one, literally, hundreds of times. No, I am not a big folk music fan. In fact, I cannot think of one other so-called folk album in my collection of CD's.

The first thing one notices about this live concert, recorded in February of 1955, is that the sound is so terrific-- as if recorded in that great concert hall yesterday. At the same time, the sense of pure joy coming from the stage and then back from the audience is palpable.

The four voices that make up the group are individually so fine & so idiosyncratic: the big, booming bass of Lee Hayes, the sweet baritone of Fred Hellerman, the totally unique sound of Pete Seeger and, best of all for me, the warm alto of Ronnie Gilbert whose every note is just about perfect and whose enunciation is superb. You understand every single word she sings on every single song.

From Ireland, Africa, Indonesia, the American South, Israel, etc. every song is chosen perfectly and matchlessly performed....and I promise you that you'll never listen to "Greensleeves" ever again, without slyly smiling. It is easy to hear that the audience is having the time of their lives. The Weavers are a national treasure. I dare you not to sing along. Highly Recommended.

An essential piece of Folk Music!
This is one of the best Folk albums ever and definately the place to start your collection of Weavers material. When you hear their version of "Sixteen Tons" you'll quickly forget the one by Ernie Ford. "When The Saints Go Marching In" is also great. And, of course, "Wimmoweh" and "Goodnight Irene" are excellent. Add "Rock Island Line" and "Follow The Drinking Gourd" and you have a classic album. But, there are 20 cuts total, so this just barely scratches the surface. The songs, Seeger's instrumentation, and the harmonies of the four is simply outstanding. Definately get this one and enjoy some of the finest Folk Music ever recorded. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

Pete Seeger, who began recording in the early 1940s, is perhaps the most influential figure in the American folk revival, a walking repository of song who's had an immense influence in popularizing folk music with mainstream audiences. The 2 CD We Shall Overcome is an expanded version of a classic 1963 live album that offers an excellent example of Seeger's activist passion and good-humored humanity. This expanded edition contains the entire 40-song concert, making it almost three times longer than the original vinyl incarnation. The typically eclectic and heartfelt program, encompassing civil-rights anthems and anti-war pleas, along with tunes from England, Russia, Brazil, and the Caribbean, provides an excellent introduction to the artist. --Scott Schinder ... Read more

Reviews (6)

There's room for this in everyone's CD case
Pete Seeger is a mirror: you see yourself in him. If you're a child, you latch onto his easygoing voice and the humor evident in tunes like "A Little Brand New Baby" and "Little Boxes." If you're a teenager, you cling to the drama in "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" and "Who Killed Norma Jean?" If you're an adult--younger or elderly--you can appreciate the joy in life evinced by Seeger on every song on the album. It brings tears to my eyes nearly every time I listen to "Tshotsholosa," a Rhodesian road worker's song. Seeger's gift is to make every song a proclamation of the beauty of life and the wonder of other people. He is endlessly curious and polymathic--songs on this album include the traditional and the new, the English and the Portuguese, the German and the Spanish, the despairing and the overjoyed. Think of this album as a wistfully lovely time capsule in the few months before the 1960s finally exploded. It was recorded just five months before the assassination of JFK (one of Seeger's Harvard classmates) and just five years before the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Bobby Kennedy. It simultaneously bears the innocent stamp of the 1950s without that decade's plastic falsity--and the righteous indignation of the 1960s without the tang of defeat that accompanied so many other things from that era.

Time Capsual
Wow. 1963. Pete Seeger. According to "Music Hound's Guide to Folk", Seeger was in his prime when he performed this concert at Carnegie Hall. I'll say he was. He finds the emotion and fun in every song he sings and lets his voice soar. If he hasn't completely blown you away before, this recording will. This is the entire un-cut concert with audience applause, Pete's introductions (and mistakes), and it runs for over 2 hours. It's not the same as being there but it's pretty darn close. Listen to it on the best system you can find, make your self comfortable and transport back in time to 1963. This is why Pete Seeger is the Father of modern Folk.

The Best Folk Singer Ever!
Pete Seeger is the most essential folk artist ever. This album proves that. It starts off with Seeger and his banjo, but moves quickly to the songs that made him popular. He also does a few Bob Dylan tunes, including a wonderful version of "A Hard Rain's A Gonna Fall." The second disc includes many familiar songs, including "This Land Is Your Land," "We Shall Overcome," and his signature song "Guantanamera." It also includes a number of introductions and conversation with the audience. The original album only had a small portion of this concert. Having the whole show enables a person to hear the magic. Simply one of the best folk albums ever released.

excellent compilation of various folk music
This is a classic folk music album. With Pete Seeger (the best folksinger ever created), Seeger's integrity when he sings, the entire concert (the original album was about 35 minutes) and a compilation of 60's folk songs, traditional folk, civil rights songs, and music from other countries, this album is a compilation of great music. There is also spirit which is enthusiastic for both Seeger and the integrated audience. This is Pete Seeger's all-time best album. A classic.

One of the all-time best folk albums
I've loved this album since a friend introduced it to me in ninth grade, nearly fourteen years ago. It's a great mix of Seeger classics: audience participation songs like "Sweet Potatoes" (with surprisingly good harmony), anti-war songs, civil rights songs. One of the best things about the live-in-concert aspect to the album, besides the vitality that comes through the sometimes shaky recording, is that you hear Seeger giving some credit to the people who wrote, sang, and suffered these songs before he popularized them. That acknowledgment does a lot to boost his credibility as a civil rights advocate. A few of the songs sound dated, but most of them still resonate. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

THE EARLY JOAN BAEZ THAT WE KNOW AND LOVE...
This cd is quintessential early Joan Baez, simply strumming her guitar and singing folk songs that she loves. All but one of the tracks was recorded at various concerts during her tours in August 1962 and October/November 1963. The sole exception is "We Shall Overcome", which was recorded at Miles College, in Birmingham, Alabama.

This cd is even better than Joan Baez In Concert Part 1. The selection of songs is better, as it contains more traditional folk songs, a fact that purists may wish to note. These songs serve to showcase her sweet, clear soprano to perfection. Moreover, her affection for this repertoire is evident in the feeling she evokes with her exquisite singing of these songs. This is particularly notable when she sings "Once I Had a Sweetheart", "Jackaroe", and "Queen of Hearts".

Ms. Baez also sings two songs in Portuguese, "Manha De Carnaval/Te Ador", one of the most beautiful and haunting songs on this cd, as well as the traditional "Nu Bello Cardillo". She also gives her own rousing interpretation to a perennial country favorite, "Long Black Veil".

The cd also contains two Bob Dylan songs, the popular "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright", as well as "With God on Our Side". The latter track, one of Dylan's best songs, is done ample justice by the moving interpretation by Ms. Baez. It is one of my favorites tracks on this cd.

This is a live concert recording, so be prepared for clapping and an enthusiastic reception by the concert crowds, as well as some crowd interaction and participation. The audience joins Joan Baez in singing "We Shall Overcome".

An Old Friend Remastered
Indulge me for a brief personal story.

For some reason my parents, whose taste in music usually ran to Perry Como and Nana Mouskouri, and whose political sensibilities are light-years away from radical, bought a cassette of this album when I was about 8 or 9. I fell in love with "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright" and "With God on Our Side," and was thus introduced to a guy named Bob Dylan, who has been a staple of my musical life for over 30 years now. I eventually swiped--umm...borrowed--the tape when I moved out of my parents' home, and I was amazed at the power of the other songs, too--"Once I Had a Sweetheart," "Portland Town" and "Queen of Hearts" are particular standouts. In a world of heavily over-produced, synthetic music (and this is about as far from Britney as you can get!), it's refreshing to hear a singer who can profoundly move an audience with just a guitar, a voice, and a shy request to remove her shoes. Highly recommended.

great music for the whole family
My parents owned this album and I used to go to sleep listening to it. 35 years later I can still recall every note and word, and they sound just as good. Not only did this album give me the gift of singable music at a young age, it also exposed me--along with "David's Album" which my parents also owned--to the importance of social justice. Listening to war protest songs at a young age was a gentle but powerful introduction to activism, and I only hope that this music will do the same for my kids. Even without the message, the songs are beautiful, sad, haunting, and unforgettable. The whole family can enjoy them!

There was magic in the air
At the start of her career Joan Baez's pure, soulful voice was the signature of the early 60's folk movement; it is perhaps best displayed on this album and on Vol. 1 of the same. There is a special magic in her voice, her guitar and the response of the appreciative audience. The Portuguese song on this album, Nu Bello Cardillo, is touching but not as memorable as Ate Amanha on the first volume, while there's a lovely tremulous quality to her voice in the Dylan song With God On Our Side. My favorites on this second volume include the sorrowful tale of The Long Black Veil and the traditionals Hush Little Baby and Battle Hymn Of The Republic - the audience participation on the Hymn is very poignant and moving, and turns into a rousing spiritual experience. I personally prefer the first volume since more of those songs have personal meaning to me, but this folk classic is also an enduring treasure.

Lovely
This is beautiful folk music, just Joan and guitar. If you're completely new to Joan Baez, she's got the most clear, rich soprano--it's so pure. Most of the songs are traditional (you may know Jack-a-Roe & Fennario if you're a Grateful Dead fan--Jerry Garcia has said Joan Baez's first albums influenced his guitar playing--and "Long Black Veil" is probably better known as done by The Band). "Don't Think Twice It's All Right" is one of her best Dylan covers (though his original version is still the most stunning). Sing-a-longs on "We Shall Overcome" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic" give a feeling for the early sixties folk scene. "Queen of Hearts," "Once I Had a Sweetheart" and "Portland Town" (which is a gentle protest song), are three highlights which aren't that easy to find elsewhere. I'd recommend this if looking for a CD of her early folk music, it's a bit more accessible to modern ears than the earlier albums, and the sound is very good. This is a lovely collection of mostly mournful songs--a soothing listen. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Two Great Live Folk Concerts On One CD!
Folk music is always at its best when performed live, and this CD from the fabulous Limeliters gives the listener not one but two live folk concerts. The first was in San Francisco, the other in London. The appeal of the same kind of music to audiences on opposite sides of the world (and their often culturally unique responses) is what makes this CD so significant, interesting, and definitely entertaining.

Some of my favorite songs, like "The Jam on Jerry's Rock", are here. Glenn Yarborough's "I'm Goin' Back" impressively presages his later solo career. And the international stuff ("Kerakina" and "The Lute Player") is brilliant. (Be careful, though-- the only flaw in this CD is how they've divided up the cuts, if you are skipping around from one song to another... the delightful intro to "Kerakina" is unfortunately left as the last part of the previous song). The reaction of the very British audience to "Hey Li Lee Li Lee Lo" is worth hearing by itself.

Remember, while the Limeliters are still performing wonderfully and successfully, this original version of the group can only still be heard on recordings like this one. Don't miss it!

A very pleasant surprise
Growing up listening to my dad's albums of these guye, I always considered Our Men in San Francisco as the best live album of all time by ANYONE. Until I bought this 2 disc set I had never heard the London concert. What a gas! Here is a serious challenger to Our Men in SF. Hey Li Lee Li Lee is one of the most fun songs I have ever heard. The arrangement of Hard Ain't it Hard is hilarious, and Wabash Cannonball puts the Our Men version to shame, which is difficult to do! Their interaction with the crowd is so joyous and just plain fun to listen to. I've got my kids (ranging from 11 to 22 years old) hooked on the LimeLiters now. If you don't have this set, WHY ARE YOU WAITING? The only problem with these discs is that they don't go on forever - thank goodness for repeat buttons!

One fine album!
Like the other reviewers, I too grew up listening to my parent's Limeliters collection. Our Men in San Francisco has got to be my all time favorite. One super collection of songs, performed live at San Frans legendary Hungry I nightclub. This will certainly bring back the memories of this highly talented trio, and for those of you who have never heard these guys, I hope this will be the begining of a long love affair with the incomparable Limeliters. So jazzed to see this out on Compact Disk! Enjoy it.

5 Stars for what this CD set is!
This is a CD set of two complete live concerts. The first is as noted "Our Men in San Francisco, live from the hungry I and the second is the "London Concert". I gave this set 5 stars because unlike some other "Classic Collection Set" out in the market this set is two of the Limeliters first albums complete just as they were recorded in the early 1960's. If you collect old Limeliters' albums and want to hear two of their best perfomances without the pops and snaps of old vinyl this set is for you!!!

An old friend back to stay
I grew up with the Limeliters' music, like a lot of kids whose parents had great taste in music. Revisiting these recordings is more than nostalgic listening though. I'm relearning that the Limeliters really were great and the music just gets better each time I listen. Give it a try - this is what folk music should be. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Good intro to Doc
A very good introduction to the music of Doc Watson. This album contains samples of his blues, ballads, and old mountain songs. Of his albums that I currently have, moreover, this one reminds me most of the time I saw him in concert (early '90s) and the variety of songs he played then. I would highly recommend this as a first purchase of Doc's music.

Each time I listen to DOC, I'd like to be American!
A message to the American people: Americans, in case you don't know: DOC is not only one of the world's best guitarists, but also the best embassador that the US has ever had. This 1971 live recording (24 tracks, over 70 minutes, good sound quality) offers a generous helping of his art. Together with his late son Merle, Doc presents a collection of impeccably played folk songs. From 'Brown's Ferry Blues' to 'Don't let your deal go down', the singing and the picking are superb, so are Doc's comments and the audience's reactions. His are a voice and a PERSONALITY that you cannot help but love, someone you like listening to in your living-room for the sheer warmth his music exudes. And, what's more, his music integrates so many different voices, stories, influences, experiences that in my book he's the true Voice of America. Of course, there are numerous other fantastic recordings by Doc Watson -some dificult to come by here in Europe. Each record produced in his long career -and I own quite as lot, not a single one disappointing- is definitely worth checking out.

Love it when they put my favorite LP albums on CD
This is another CD version of an LP album put out several years ago, and I am sure glad they picked this one so I can stop trying to put a needle through my old LP. Doc Watson and his Gallagher guitar are simply awesome--the prototype folk guitar, both flat and fingerpicking style, supported superbly by Merle Watson. The audience is knowledgeable and appreciative, and their reactions augment the enjoyable music a lot. This is another album that you should just sit and do nothing but listen to. Close your eyes and imagine you are at the concert.

a must acustic live album!!
this album is pure fun along with doc and merele fine finger picki"n,and the story telling is very amusing .doc talks about the roots of this music and demonsrates it playing diferent styles.he loughs a lot which makes me feel good .thank you doctor

Rap before there was rap
In this genre, you can do no better than this! Even if you think bluegrass or country or whatever you want to call this is not your thing, if you appreciate great guitar pickin' and remarkable story-telling, you'll enjoy this album and want to share it with your friends, in the context of, "Did the hear the one about...?" ... Read more

Album Description

Bob Gibson & Bob (Hamilton) Camp's 'At The Gate Of Horn'was recorded over three April 1961 sets at the duo'shometown of Chicago haunt The Gate Of Horn. ThisCollectors' Choice reissue includes both Shel Silverstein's original liner notes and Richie Unterberger's new notesthat include quotes from Hamilton Camp. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Get this CD
What a great album!!!This is how music is supposed to sound, the harmonies are wonderful and the joy is apparent.What they don't tell you is that the CD has the original "Butternut Hill".This song was missing after the first pressing due to legal action.I'm glad to see that today we have come a long way.If you are a Chicagoian, or even if you are not, get this album to remember the good old days.The only downside; the print on the original liner notes is too small to read for those of us who remember this wonderful duo.

it's a misnomer to call this folk music
This is an example of just plain wonderful,energenic,katie bar the door music.I was priveleged to experience these two performers over two decades from the "Gate"to a Buddhist temple gig on a rainy Sunday afternoon.Their joy from making music is infectious and their virtuosity is undeniable.If you just want to feel good for about 45 minutes,this album is better than any controlled substance.

vocal harmony over a masterfully played 12 string guitar
One of the best performances from the 1960's folk scene.Gibson and Camp not only sing in tune, they have honest and natural voices that blend wonderfully to express their songs.Throughout, their harmonies float on the signature style of Bob Gibson's 12 string guitar playing.His masterful strumming/bass-run style is uniquely his, and it charges every song with rhythm, melody, and rich chords.My favorite example is the introduction to Daddy Roll 'Em, which is not in the sound sample.There is a sample of each song on the album.If you like anything you hear, buy the CD.This is one of the few recordings I still enjoy after 35 years! ... Read more

Amazon.com

The clown prince of old-time returns with this engaging live set that collects performances from three mid-'90s appearances on the West Virginia-based radio program. Clown, we say, because Hartford is so adept at being humorous and wistful simultaneously. And because he never takes himself too seriously, but never (OK, rarely) lapses into silliness. Filled with Hartford's distinctive banjo and fiddle work and an assortment of classic original material, the set serves as an accessible introduction to one of folk music's most unique and idiosyncratic characters. --Marc Greilsamer ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Hartford is at his best when live...
This CD is a good introduction to John Hartford if you are not familiar with his work. Hartford has a twangy, off beat style that is sometimes silly and other times poignant. This collection includes some of his better known works and showcases Hartford's flexibility as a musician.

I wouldn't select it as a favorite, because I like Hartford's quirky songs the best, and this collection tends to lean toward the traditional side of things. Hartford seems to get a kick out of playing for folks, and that side of him comes across well in his live recordings. He's interesting to watch on stage because you never can guess what he's thinking...hard to figure. Sometimes he comes across as remote, but then it turns out that he's really witty and having a lot of fun with things in his own way.

If you like bluegrass or folk music, I'd definitely recommend all of his works. As famous as he is in some circles, Hartford often gets missed by more mainstream folks....what a shame!

More than an entertainer
John Hartford doesn't need a passport. This late album is maybe the best one along his honourable career. It makes him more than an entertainer, more than a clown: he enters the Hall of Fame as a whole musician. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

QUINTESSENTIAL EARLY JOAN BAEZ...
This is a live concert recording, so be prepared for clapping and an enthusiastic reception by the concert crowds. It is quintessential early Joan Baez, simply strumming her guitar and singing folk songs that she loves. It was recorded at various concerts during her tours in August 1962 and October/November 1963.

Her clear, sweet soprano is exquisite, and her choice of these thirteenfolk songsshould satisfy the most ardent purists. Truly, hers is the voice of an angel. For those of us who grew up withthe music of Joan Baez, this recording is a glorious trip down memory lane.

The quality of this cd is what one may expect from such an early, live recording, as it suffers from an occasional lack of clarity and from a slight variance in volume from song to song.Still, this is a cd that all devoted fans of Ms. Baez will want to include in their collection, if only for her wistful rendition of"What Have They Done To the Rain".

Early Joan
This CD has three extra songs that were not on the original vinyl recording of "Joan Baez in Concert."They are "Streets of Laredo," "My Good Old Man," and "My Lord What a Morning." Not much of a bargain, considering the fact that Joan sings kind of wishy-washy spirituals, and "Streets of Laredo" is set to slightly unfamiliar music, which makes it difficult to sing along with.I'll get used to it, though, and as always Joan's Child Ballads and Southern Appalachian ballads are to kill for.The liner notes that accompany this CD are also quite interesting.They discuss Joan's very early career and how she overcame her fear of large audiences.

Remember that the songs on this CD were recorded 'in concert' so you will hear occasional applause and crowd noises.

There are sixteen songs in all, and here are a few of my favorites:

"Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You" - I always thought this was a Bob Dylan song, but the most popular version turns out to have been recorded by Led Zeppelin.According to their web site, Jimmy Page heard the Baez version and decided to rearrange it for his band. The original version of the song has been traced to Anne Bredon, a folk musician who wrote and recorded the original song in the 1950s.At any rate, Joan sings it as a very lovely, plaintive ballad.I'm probably one of the few people in America who has never heard the Led Zeppelin version.

"Geordie" - A version of this Child ballad (#209) "God be wi' thee, Geordie" appears in the "Straloch Manuscripts (early 17th century)." It also appears in Buchan's "Ancient Ballads and Songs (1828)" under the name of "Gight's Lady."According to the Child Ballad web site, it's six pretty babies that Geordie's wife has borne, not Joan's three, and Geordie appears to have stolen 'six milk-white steeds' from the king, not deer. According to Buchan "Geordie" was Sir George Gordon of Gight (1512-1562), the son of the illegitimate daughter of James IV, who was imprisoned for becoming "too familiar" with the Laird of Bignet's wife (no deer or horses in this version).Geordie's wife, Lady Ann, went to Edinburgh to plead for his life. She was successful, but upon being freed Geordie killed his faithful wife.I like Joan's ending a bit better: Geordie is hanged in a golden chain and that's the end of it.

"Kumbaya" - This spiritual apparently originated with the Gullah, an African-American people living on the Sea Islands and adjacent coastal regions of South Carolina and Georgia.'Kumbaya' means 'Come by here' and it really brings back the Sixties for me (we always sang it at the sit-ins).Joan asks the audience to sing along with her (you will hear it as a dull muttering in the background), and so I do.

"Black is the Color of my True Love's Hair" - There are many versions of this tune, including "Black is the Color of My True Love's Eyes."It's best known as a tune from the Southern Appalachian Mountains and is probably based on an 18th century English tune.Joan sings it almost as a lament, and I always expect the black-haired lover to die at the end, but in truth the ballad ends on a slightly happier note: the singer only threatens to kill herself if she loses her love.

"House Carpenter" - This Child ballad (#243) is also known as "James Harris, or the Daemon Lover." I like the Buffy Saint Marie version slightly better (on her album "Little Wheel Spin and Spin), in which the lover is an actual demon: "He stomped his foot and down they sank, and sank to rise no more."Joan's slightly sanitized version makes no mention of demons, although the carpenter's wife and her lover go to the 'hills of hell' when their ship accidentally sinks.

"Danger Waters"- This song has a chorus that I'd never been able to decipher completely, until I went to the web.Anyway the chorus goes something like this:"And I holler why, and I holler why, and I holler why," (now comes the hard part) the Burgess (or gorgeous?) boy "no mon ami." 'Burgess' turned out to be 'tortoise.' Oh well.This is a West African song, and Joan makes it sound very wistful even when she is demanding the return of her 'schillins.'

Lovely, lovely Joan. This CD is a 'must' for her fans.

Across the Years
For forty years, her pure voice and liberal beliefs have been part of the American fabric and of the lives of those of us who came of age in the 60's. When I hear her, I see myself in college waking up to this album, I see my grown sons as small children listening to her in front of the stereo while I studied in law school. When I had a "high lonely", retreated from whatever I was doing and went back to my "roots", it was Joan that I listened to. I love her music, not for what she is or isnt or what she ever has said or done, but for how her music did to me.

Why Joan was magic early in her career...
"Gospel Ship" is just a brief, traditional hymn, but it was the first Baez performance I ever heard and led me to become a fan. This collection has that one, and a nice mixture of the traditional folk songs which helped her get started near Harvard in the late 1950's, and a few more contemporary pieces. I have been quite disappointed in this artist's efforts over the past decade...but my, oh my, few folkies ever had a better FIRST decade.

PRISTINE!
Oh this is so beautiful - the songs, the respectful audience and her pristine evocative voice! There's an almost gospel-like quality in the songs Kumbaya, Gospel Ship and the eery Lady Mary, while the Portuguese song Até Amanha is an uptempo, singalong ditty and Pretty Boy Floyd soars above the clouds. This is pure poetry, infused with a spirit of transcendence. A very sensitive and moving listening experience. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

BRILLIANT PORTFOLIO OF HER EARLY CAREER
I don't like most live albums, but this one's dynamite, showcasing a powerful selection of songs from her 1960s and early 1970s heyday. I think it was recorded during the tour for the "Diamonds & Rust" album, and the atmosphere is electric. I love her between-song banter, and the choice of material is superb. The sound is also great throughout, on both the acoustic and electric sides. My favourite is Emmylou Harris' "Boulder To Birmingham" and "Stewball", but I also love her hits The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down and Forever Young, Leonard Cohen's Suzanne, her version of Amazing Grace, and the political songs Natalia, Ballad Of Sacco & Vanzetti and Joe Hill. But there's no need to single out any tracks, the album as a whole is a wonderful listening experience and shows her at the height of her powers.

A Diamond with very little rust
First off, I simply love this album. Ms. Baez voice always an instrument of crystaline purity,is simply lovely here. From Leonard Cohen covers{suzanne} to the haunting love song to a stranger part 2, Joan Baez is in top form. The obligatory Dylan covers are here[I shall be released, lilly rosemary and the jack of harts,blowin in the wind} and her classic 's {the night they drove old dixie down, swing low, amazing grace}though the gem for me is Natalia, telling the story of the Russian poet Natalia Gorbenevskya, imprisoned,tortured, still going,still writing luminous poetry. Taken together, Ms. baez has fashioned a sweet, lyrical live recording, that sums up{up until the 1980's] of this great artist and woman.

Excellent live recording.
FROM EVERY STAGE is a bit too political for my tastes, but when she concentrates on making music instead of a statement, she's in fine form. A great live version of her classic song "Diamonds and Rust", and beautifully sung covers of Dylan's "Forever Young" and Emmylou Harris's "Boulder to Birmingham" are among the highlights. The greatest moment on this double disc, however, is Dylan's "Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts", which is alone worth the price of this concert recording.

I Love this album
I grew up listening to this album and it is absolutely amazing. Joan is so talkative and easy with the audience and they obviously love her! Listening to her music is the next bext thing to seeing her in concert. I especially love "Stewball" and "Forever Young."

Her best, my favorite!
Of the more than 20 albums of Joan's which I own, this is far and away my favorite, capturing her at her height of strenght and popularity. The live recording captures Joan performing both accoustic sets and with a full band. The songs are well-chosen and diverse, from classic folk balads, original compositions, and some of her choicest Dylan covers. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

A 45-minute trip to bluegrass heaven, these 17 songs combine the talents of two unparalleled musical forces: Bill Monroe, the inventor of bluegrass, master of the mandolin, and owner of a bone-chilling, mountain tenor voice; and Doc Watson, the flatpicking genius with a soulful, mellow vocal tone. Much of the material stems from the legendary Monroe Brothers recordings. Their sublime harmonies carry plaintive ballads including "What Would You Give in Exchange for Your Soul" and "Banks of the Ohio," and uptempo numbers such as "You Won't Be Satisfied That Way." The roaring fiddle tunes are simply mind-blowing: "Soldier's Joy," "East Tennessee Blues," and "Fire on the Mountain" all rank as virtuosic masterpieces. If it's possible, the pairing exceeds all expectations. --Marc Greilsamer ... Read more

Reviews (6)

You've already lived too long without this album
Buy this one. This is one of my 5 favorite albums of all time. The harmonies just kill me, and the instrumentals are enough to drive me mad.

No mandolinist would ever say that he's better than Monroe, and no flatpick guitarist would ever say that he's better than Doc. These are the two originals...the two masters...and it's just the two of them through the whole thing.

Do a favor to yourself and the country...buy this album, and let everyone you know have a listen.

Doc and Bill pickin' a few licks!
Great album. Traditional fiddle tunes/hoedowns and early bluegrass tunes (most of them written by Monroe) played in an intimate relaxed setting. Some of Monroe's best Mandolin picking. Doc is exceptional as always.

Great album for musicians. With only two instruments playing, you can really hear what they're doing. Singing combination is very interesting as well: Bill's famous high tenor and Doc's deep, melodious voice.

This is a great album by two masters of traditional music.

Like a hoe-down on Heaven's back porch ...
Monroe and Watson are, of course, masters of their considerably crowded domain, and this recording shows why. Just a couple of amazing musicians having some fun together -- relaxed and loose but with plenty of sparks a-flyin'. The fingers are picking fast and furious. The vocals are superb, and some of the instrumental runs are simply breathtaking. Recording quality is more than acceptable.

The whole thing plays like a jam session at the country barbecue of your dreams. But it today and watch it get stuck in your CD player for days on end.

Truly Great
This is a tremendous album by two of the legends of bluegrass music. If you like bluegrass (or just great music for that matter), you'll be blown away by these live, relatively loose jam sessions where their virtuosity and vocal skill is incredibly apparent. A must...

First rate from 2 masters!
This CD makes you wish that Doc & Big Mon had done so much more together. Several of the cuts are songs that the Monroe Brothers did and are just fabulous. If you like Doc and Monroe individually, you'll love them together. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

My favorite Joan, except for Ballad Book
This is a great CD if you are a Joan fan. Has many of her popular ballads and a few fun songs in concert. Great selection for a small album.

A HISTORIC CD...
This is a compilation of twenty-two songs culled from about fifteen of her early live concerts, which were recorded between November 1961 and August 1963. The original double album had twenty four tracks, but the back of the cd liner explains that, due to compact disc format time restrictions, some songs on the original album are not included on the cd. The notes in the cd liner itself were written by Ms. Baez's mother for the original album.

On this cd, the listener will, indeed, be treated to early Joan Baez, accompanying herself on the guitar. As the songs are culled from her live performances, the listener will note the discernible adulation of the audiences throughout. Whether Ms. Baez is singing a traditional folksong, a folksong with political overtones, a duet with Peter Seeger of Peter, Paul, and Mary fame, or a rock-n-roll parody, it is clear that the slightly insouciant Ms. Baez is enjoying herself, and it is infectious.

The quality of the cd is what one may expect from such an early, live recording, as it suffers from occasional lack of clarity and uneven volume, with the clapping of the audience throughout being louder than the song tracks. Still, this is certainly a cd to which some historical significance has attached, and one that all devoted fans of Ms. Baez will want to include in their collection, if only for her beautiful rendition of Peter Seeger's "Where Have All the Flowers Gone".

Vanguard recordings of Joan Baez live (1960-1963)
I knew that the Vanguard label had recorded the songs of the Weavers after they were hit by their troubles and that the results were live recordings of the group in concert. "Very Early Joan" reveals the same approach with Joan Baez at the start of her brilliant career. Here are 22 tracks, all recorded live, representing a pleasing mix of political folk songs, such as "Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream" and "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" with more popular works, including "Man of Constant Sorrow" and "Lonesome Valley." But what stands out is the voice, clear and pristine, whether Baez is singing "The Water is Wide" or "Little Darlin'." Obviously the recordings are going to leave a lot to be desired in terms of clarity, but as the title proudly proclaims, this is "Very Early Joan" Baez, sung live, and to be cherished for those reasons alone.

A Heavenly Overview
There are two reasons to have this particular collection from the fabulous "voice of a thousand birds" Joan Baez. The first is that it gives a lovely overview of some of her famous renditions of folk songs. Call it "important to your Joan Baez education". Every fan of Joan or of folk music should have her famous "Last Night I had the Strangest Dream" and "Silver Dagger", for example. Those aren't actually my favorite of her songs for some reason, but they're famous and you need to have them.

The other reason you need to have this album is this: "Where have all the flowers gone?" and "Pilgrim of Sorrow". Plain and simple - nobody should go through life without having heard her renditions of these two songs. They are superb.

Where Have all the Flowers Gone is one of the most beautiful songs ever written. And Joan's version is THE version to hear. You could buy this album just for that song, and you'd feel you'd spent your money wisely, because you'd keep hitting "repeat" on your CD player to hear it over and over and sing along.

Pilgrim of Sorrow, likewise, is shockingly powerful. Hearing Mahalia Jackson sing this song of Christian desperation is a spiritual experience. But hearing Joan Baez sing it is spectacular in its own way. Every startling note vibrates in your chest - her vocal range is unbelievable. The eruption of the notes themselves becomes the religious experience. It's incredible.

Folk music fans who buy this album for the famous collection of classics will be richly rewarded by the spectacular treat of owning those two particular, irreplaceable songs.

Early wonderful Joan!
I think this is a magical CD - a real treasure.There is something both thrilling and soul-deep sad listening to Joan sing "Strangest Dream" to a live audience well before the Vietnam War knowing what was about to happen to the country. Historic. Joan's voice is beautiful, incredible, soothing, powerful. I highly recommend this cd - and what a bargain! These are my favorites:
Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream
Somebody Got Lost in a Storm
Water Is Wide
Freight Train
Railroad Bill
In the Pines
Where Have All the Flowers Gone?
Hallowed Be Thy Name ... Read more

Amazon.com

If you just couldn't get enough of The Anthology of American Folk Music, here's the perfect companion CD. The Anthology is, of course, the celebrated 1997 reissued six-disc box that became the touchstone for modern folk music when it was originally put out by filmmaker and record collector Harry Smith in 1952. The Harry Smith Connection is culled from two October 1997 concerts at which performers tackled tracks from The Anthology, which consists of 84 recordings made between 1926 and 1933. Contributors include Roger McGuinn (backed by Wilco's Jeff Tweedy and Jay Bennett and sounding great), Dave Van Ronk, Ethel Caffie-Austin, and the New Lost City Ramblers. The affection the performers feel for these earthen songs is palpable. The songs themselves are unassailable. --Steven Stolder ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A labor of love
These live recordings of songs from the AAFM offers warm, loving renditions of a handful of the armload of American musical heritage sent through the years to us by Harry Smith. It's yet another reminder of how important Smith's contribution was. Peter Stampfel's ode to Harry makes me want to hear the rest of the epic and "Nothing" by the Fugs is nothing short of wonderful.

Not enough Roger McGuinn
Roger McGuinn is the shinning light of this CD. There should be more selections by him offered in this collection. ... Read more

Album Description

Glenn Yarbrough's much acclaimed Live album recorded at San Francisco's Hungry I. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Food for the hungry ear.
In "A Study in Scarlet", Sherlock Holmes reminds Dr. Watson of Darwin's claim that the power of producing and appreciating music existed among the human race before the power of speech was arrived at. "Perhaps that is why we are so subtly influenced by it," Holmes goes on to say. "There are vague memories in our souls of those misty centuries when the world was in its childhood". This Glenn Yarborough arrangement might serve as proof of such a proposition.

Now Yarborough's fine tenor and winning personality stand on their own - but perhaps not as well as they once blended with the voices and personalities of Lou Gottlieb and Alex Hassilev as part of the Limeliters.

There's nothing wrong with this fine set of recordings made by Yarborough one night in the mid-1960's at San Francisco's famous "hungry i" nightclub. But folk music, to my prosaic mind, is made up of two types of songs: energetic toe-tappers and slow moving "crooners". I have an overwhelming preference for the toe-tappers, but I understand that you need a variety of greens to make the salad mix correctly.

Yarborough's personality, standing on its own, however genial, is somewhat introspective, and in this selection, he seems to have a preference for the "crooners" (i.e. "How Deep is Down", "Rose", "Only Love"). Of course, there is nothing wrong with the way that he sings these, but I would have preferred a few more "toe tappers". Perhaps the presence of Yarborough's more animated colleagues was needed to invigorate him. And his mischievous sense of humor simply was more entertaining when mixed with the contrasting personalities of Gottlieb and Hassilev.

But this album is especially valuable because of a unique idea that Yarborough carried out while arranging the performances. Radio personality Jack Carney's original introduction to the original LP is included with this CD, and he explains how the audience members at the hungry i were actually invited to participate as background vocalists.

Though Carney insists that this had never been done before, I imagine that Mitch Miller had already done this with younger audiences but that was unquestionably with no intention other than to allow the kids the fun of participation.

And I imagine that this has been done many times since Glenn Yarborough did it here.

But the quality of music that audiences would sing to, or whatever passes for music nowadays, has greatly declined since the 1960's, and Yarborough appears to have undertaken this task as a serious artistic endeavor, rather than just as a means of gratifying his audience, and the result is quite remarkable.

It is incredible that if one takes 25 people off the street and suits them up in baseball attire, he'll have one rotten baseball team. If one takes dozens of people off the street and puts scalpels in their hands, he'll have a staff of rotten doctors. And just look at the politicians that democracy has turned out.

But the rule that massive numbers equal mediocrity doesn't necessarily apply to music. As individuals, the vast majority of us have rotten singing voices, but by God, put a number of us together in a crowd and ask us to start singing and the result really can be something melodic and enjoyable - think of English sports fans - thousands of them - singing in harmony at a football game.

The concept works in this album too - maybe even better in the surrounding of an enclosed nightclub than in an outdoor or indoor stadium. Put the CD on your player, spin to the first song in this collection, "The Music of the World A Turnin'" (the one REALLY GOOD toe-tapper in this collection), and as Carney says, "...well, you listen..."

Live at the Hungry I
I have many of the songs on this CD in a LP and have been waiting to get a CD replacement since the LP is very old and noisy. I am very disappointed with the sound quality of this CD - my old LP sounds better if I can ignore the clicks and pops.

Glenn' The Glimmering Light Forgotten
I first heard this album when I was a little girl and it has always remained in my heart. Glenn Yarbrough has a way of bringing his music to life. "Rose" shows how a person who has seen alot of sadness can see the light at the end of the tunnel and go on living even through tragic times. "The Mermaid Song" is one of my favorites with it's uplifting and merry music and lyrics. "The Music Of The World A Turning" sees life through every person's eyes. I highly recommened this C.D. to one and all, I'm sure you will enjoy it. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Joan Baez Indigo Girls Sing Bob Dylan
Joan Baez and Indigo Girls' rendition of Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice" is the most awesome cut I have ever heard of this song. Their guitar work is extraordinary. The Indigo Girls blending with Joan Baez's vocals makes one wish that the Indigo Girls had been on the 60's scene with her. I would purchase this CD even just for this song.

My first Joan Baez recording
I have followed her throughout her career, and there are many Joan Baez songs I 'like'. This was the first CD by Ms. Baez I purchased, though. Ms. Baez' voice has aged very well, at the age she is now she is much more pleasant to listen to.

My very favorite on this CD is the recording of "Don't Think Twice", which she performs with the Indigo Girls, but there is no one who does justice to Dylan music as well as Ms. Baez does. It's become one of my favorite CDs.

Aging Well
I love this album. I've always loved Joan Baez, but thought that sometimes her recordings were a little stiff (I didn't want to hear more than a couple of her songs in a row). But this recording is refreshingly ragged and relaxed. When I first heard her sing "Don't think twice" with the Indigo Girls, I felt like the song was new again, as it always should have been. If you love Joan, if you love folk music, I highly recommend this cd.

A good summary of a noteworthy career
This is an ideal intro album for those wanting an album that covers the range of Baez's career, but one that also updates the material she had recorded on Vanguard pushing 40 years ago. The duet/coffee house approach with assorted artists works well with the women Baez chose to include on this album; among my favorites are the duets with Tish Hinohosa, the Indigos, and Dar Williams. If you haven't listened to Baez for a number of years, this is the album to reintroduce you to what is still the best voice in the business. The years have been extraordinarily kind to her voice, as evidenced in this album.

Simply beautiful
Joan's duet with Dar Williams, "You're Aging Well", is worth the price of the album ... Read more

Amazon.com

As a document of this string band's live skill, these 30 songs present the virtuoso trio of John Cohen (vocals, guitar, banjo), Tracy Schwarz (vocals, guitar, fiddle, acoustic bass), and Mike Seeger (vocals, lap dulcimer, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, autoharp, harmonica) on their home turf--the pivotal early '60s Newport Folk Festivals. If there were any doubt, this band could play with the best of the original old time musicians whose work they emulated. Doc Boggs and Sam and Kirk McGee even sit in on a couple of numbers, though the show belongs to the trio's impassioned harmonies and hard, precise picking. --Roy Francis Kasten ... Read more

Reviews (2)

As good as it gets
Refreshingly and delightfully authentic... and pure fun!

One of the best NLCR recordings!
This is one of the best NLCR recordings ever done. Cousin Emmy is great fun and the melancholic voice and conversation with Maybelle Carter is precious. The version of John Johanna is excellent. The musicianship and relaxed feeling of these recordings only lends to the timeless feeling of the music. ... Read more