Pete Seeger - Live in Australia 1963 (2009)

DVD Info:

This is already uploaded here, but the version uploaded is a shrunk version, probably shrunk with DVDShrink or a similar program. This DVD is a DVD9 over 7GB in size. The version already here is either heavily compressed, has missing features, or otherwise is edited to reduce the filesize. This upload here is not compressed nor edited.

Tracklisting:
Skip To My Lou
The Frozen Logger
Pretty Polly
The Wild Rover
Woody Guthrie Medley
Cripple Creek / Leather Britches
Down By The Riverside
Windy Old Weather
Highland Laddie
Kum Ba Ya
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
Allegretto From Beethoven's 7th Symphony
Way Out There
I Never Will Marry
Freihait (Freedom)
Luar De Serato
Genbaku O Yurusumagi (Never Again The A-Bomb)
Michael, Row The Boat Ashore
Living In The Country
The Bells Of Rhymney
What Did You Learn in School Today
A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall
If I Had A Hammer
I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly

“

David Bowling, BlogCritics.org wrote: So how old is Pete Seeger? He’s so old that Eleanor Roosevelt did not like his music while her husband, President Franklin Roosevelt, was sure no one would listen to it. He’s so old that he was blacklisted during the McCarthy era. He’s so old that he actually wrote the anti-war song “Where Have All The Flowers Gone.” Pete Seeger will turn 90 on May 3rd and is now the grand old man of folk music. He was a member of the legendary folk group The Weavers and the Almanac singers before that. He has played with everyone from Woody Guthrie to Bob Dylan to Leadbelly (or Lead Belly). The cream of American folk music will gather in Madison Square Garden next month to celebrate his birthday. Pete Seeger has always been consistent in his anti-war positions, his support of environmental causes, and as a performer and advocate of traditional folk music. Live In Australia 1963 finds Seeger at a transition point in his career. He had just emerged from years of persecution by The American Government and his social and anti-Vietnam War activity was in the future. He had embarked on a world tour and the core of this DVD is his 1963 performance at the Melbourne Town Hall. It should be required viewing for anyone who has even the slightest interest in the history of American music. The concert itself may seem simplistic today and granted it is from another era. While such songs as “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” and “If I Had A Hammer” are included; it is the simple folk songs of America and other countries that dominate his performance. “Skip To My Lou,” “Pretty Polly,” “Down By The Riverside,” “Kum Ba Ya,” “Michael, Row The Boat Ashore,” and “I Will Never Marry” among others are brought to life by Seeger and give hints of their importance to American culture. Seeger was a concert master. He would usually perform solo with only his guitar or banjo to support his voice. He would constantly lead sing-a-longs with the audience. What would continually come through was his commitment and passion for his craft. The bonus material was probably worthy of its own DVD. “Two Links In The Chain: The Story Of Leadbelly” was recorded in Sydney in September of 1963. He intersperses his performing the songs of Leadbelly with rare archival footage. Three songs, performed by Leadbelly, are presented. The liner notes state that these are the only known live performances by him that are known to exist. I have been a folk aficionado for a long time and I am sure I had never seen a performance. He performs “Pick A Bale Of Cotton,” “The Grey Goose,” and “Take This Hammer,” with just his 12 string guitar. It is a rare look into the sound of the southern cotton fields that formed part of the foundation for American folk and blues music. Equally interesting is the short film about Australian bush singer Duke Tritton which explores the musical roots of Australia. The DVD has excellent sound and picture, especially for 1963 Australia. There is a very informative booklet that gives some nice background material about the concerts and bonus material. Live In Australia 1963 by Pete Seeger would make a fine addition to any music collection as it presents and explores a too often forgotten form of American music by one of its masters.

”

“

Judge Bill Gibron, DVDVerdict.com wrote: Over his six decades (yep—60 years) as part of the foundation of the folk music revival in America, Pete Seeger has lived by one simple, seemingly profound philosophy. If he could just get the entire world to sing, join together through the pure power of song, he could transform our life and times. Call it utopian or naïve, but it's the same creative code he's been applying to his craft since the earliest days of his career. Seeger has seen it all—World Wars, police actions, union organizing/busting, Dust Bowl desolation, the rise and physical fall of Woody Guthrie, the Red Scare tactics of the 50s (where he was a victim) and the promise and mass marketing revolution of the 60s. Even today, in his late 80s, he remains an icon to tradition, honor, and the undying brotherhood of man. Now, thanks to Acorn Media and Reelin' in the Years Productions, newcomers to the man's amazing oeuvre can see Pete Seeger in his element—alone, with an instrument, preaching his unmannered love of music to a grateful throng of attentive sonic students. Live In Australia: 1963, is really a Pete Primer, an overview of the man who laid the long term underpinning for more familiar names like Dylan, Baez, and Peter, Paul and Mary. The disc consists of an entire performance in front of a friendly audience in Melbourne, followed by numerous TV appearances Downunder. Finally, there are some home movies, a tribute to Leadbelly, and a collection of rare photos and scholarly essays. Indeed, if it weren't for the amazing music scattered throughout, this would be a perfect Pete Seeger history lesson—and such aural delights are just that. The broadcast showcases give the musician a chance to sell his message, and the concert sees him taking time between songs to clarify and discuss context. While a set list would probably take up three quarters of this review, let's just say that Seeger digs deep into his amazingly dense arsenal, offering such recognizable classics as "Kum Ba Ya," "The Bells of Rhymney," "Down by the Riverside," and "If I Had a Hammer." He tackles some of Guthrie's catalog, sticking to nonsense songs like "I'm Gonna Mail Myself to You" and "Put Your Finger in the Air," while he acknowledges the current upheaval in folk by featuring a certain up and coming songwriter's "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall." Elsewhere, he celebrates the "negro spiritual," points on the similarities in the sea shanties of certain countries, and offers lessons to those with limited familiarity of the genre. All the while, Seeger uses the simplest of arrangements—just his voice, his banjo/guitar work, and his interpretation of the lyrics. As he says, he doesn't always get the songs "right," but his performance argues for art over accuracy. By the time he makes it to the final encore, a goodtime sing-along of "I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly," the Australian audience is eating out of his flawless, finger-picking hands. The rest of the material is equally engaging, Seeger appearing in news footage and on such perennial Oz land series as Bandstand. During these features, he performs "Who Killed Davey Moore," "John Henry," "Michael Row the Boat Ashore," and the regionally appropriate "Queensland Overlanders." The Q&As seem a little trivial since many Australian reporters aren't quite sure what to make of Seeger. Good thing he's articulate without being rude, ready to use his music as a means of making his point clearer and much more concise. From a technical standpoint, Live in Australia is a combination of visual/audio issues. The bonus features listed above are stellar. The kinescope like 1.33:1 full screen image is not so. Granted, it looks better than one would expect from a 46 year old archival broadcast, but the black and white picture is more faded grey, and the occasional analog flaws can be bothersome. The sound situation will also displease purists. This is Dolby Digital Stereo as basic dual channel Mono reproduction. When Seeger moves away from the microphone, his voice disappears. Similarly, his playing can sometimes get lost in the ambient sound heavy mix. Still, for its age and rarity, we will take the less than perfect nature of the presentation. Of special attention is the 16 page booklet which offers some terrific liner notes by Seeger biographer David K. Dunaway. In fact, one who knows nothing of the man can definitely walk away with a deeper appreciation of what he means to the true spirit of folk music after experiencing this excellent DVD. On May 9, 2009 Pete Seeger turns 90. That's nine decades as part of the American fabric, at least six of which were spent serenading the nation with its own musical mythos. There are massive celebrations planned, tributes featuring many of the musicians who this great man influenced and inspired. From his tireless commitment to rural traditions to his anti-war advocacy and work for the environment, Seeger will always be a lightning rod of controversy and clarity. If you want some insight as to why, check out Live in Australia 1963. One viewing and all will become clear.

”

“

Harold Wolf, Amazon.com wrote: OK, black & white, but that actually seems to add to the nostalgic aspect of this great look at folk music as presented by Pete Seeger in 1963. He went on a 22 country, 10-month world tour blessing the world with folk music and, himself, picking up some new folk music from other countries along the way. Seeger received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (1993), and this DVD shows why. It's still hard to believe the folk singer was blacklisted in the USA. Fortunately, Australia loved his music and overlooked his politics, giving him a warm welcome and preserved it on film. Then, after a long shelf rest, it was discovered, Acorn became involved in the restoration, and the rest of the story is in the 16 page booklet that comes with the DVD. Packed full of photos, history, and the DVD contents lists. The product description lists many of the songs included in this DVD live performance, but special note should be given to a pair of special banjo renderings of the songs "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" and "Allegretto from Beethoven's 7th Symphony." Wow. And Seeger even teaches the Aussie concert attenders to yodel to "Way Out There" a song done with banjo that was taken from "Sons of the Pioneers." Another favorite of mine was "I Never Will Marry" plus one actually written by Bob Dylan but performed by Seeger, "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall." Then you'll just have to sing along with "Michael, row The Boat Ashore" and "If I Had A Hammer" (Pete's song) and others. The concert has a total of 29 musical numbers, ending with "I Know an Old lady Who Swallowed A Fly", fun for any age. There is at least 15 musical presentations as well as some interviews on the Extra Bonus Stuff. There is filmed performances of Lead Belly from 1945, the man who taught Pete Seeger to play the 12 string guitar. Seeger sings some of his songs as well. This DVD is 160 total minutes of looking back at folk music of the Hootenanny (the word was coined by Seeger) years as well as an educational but enjoyable romp through the history of American Folk Music and some of its origin. Perhaps this DVD would be usable by music teachers. The extras include a method to single out just one song for replay. How easy is that? Thanks Australian Broadcasting Corporation for helping give Pete Seeger folk music back the United States.

”