On the eve of May Day 2012, it’s interesting to remember one of the great American folk and protest songwriters – Woody Guthrie.
Guthrie wrote this song back in 1940 to give a woman’s point of view about the union. Some of the comments are perhaps anachronistic today but the main point is “I’m sticking with the Union.” The title is a pun on the “Union Made” label.
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‘Where Have All The Flowers Gone’ Peter Paul and Mary (Live)
While Pete Seeger has yet to chart # 1 for his own performances, he has written many hit songs. Pete Seeger wrote this gentle, anti-war song in 1955.
Please support the effort to give Peter Seeger a # 1 song as he reaches his 93rd year of spreading music and peace in the world.
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"Don't follow leaders, watch your parking meters" - Bob Dylan 'Subterranean Homesick Blues'
The US White House announced that singer songwriter, writer, and actor Bob Dylan will receive the the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
To followers of the iconic leader of baby boomer counter culture, the award has some irony. But then we were all younger then, we’re older than that now. Continue reading
Levon Helm at the Fredericton Harvest Blues and Jazz Festival 2011 (photo Stephen Pate)
Three hours ago his family posted this message on Facebook.
“Dear Friends,
Levon is in the final stages of his battle with cancer. Please send your prayers and love to him as he makes his way through this part of his journey. …
Thank you fans and music lovers who have made his life so filled with joy and celebration… he has loved nothing more than to play, to fill the room up with music, lay down the back beat, and make the people dance! He did it every time he took the stage…
We appreciate all the love and support and concern.
From his daughter Amy, and wife Sandy”
Update - Rock musician Levon Helm passes away
“Stealing Genius” which contains “30 for 60″ is a great gem for Newfoundlanders and people who wish they were Newfoundlanders – which pretty much takes up most of mankind.
The phrase “30 for 60″ means an all-out-bid in the Irish game of Forty-Five’s (45′s). When your down in the game, it’s a Hail Mary bid to beat your opponent with a 60 point upside or downside.
Mumford and Sons "Sigh No More" video by Calvin Muuse
By Stephen Pate – Songs are the soundtracks of our lives.
We identify songs with love affairs, happiness and the anguish in our lives.
Four videographers created their own videos using Mumford and Sons “Sigh No More” as the soundtrack.
Each one takes a unique approach – personal, documentary, and mini movie. They all show a high degree of creativity and video skills. Continue reading
Earl Scruggs (photo credit - whittlz Flickr)
By Stephen Pate – Earl Scruggs, the man behind bluegrass banjo and The Beverley Hillbillies theme song “The Ballad of Jed Clampett” died in Nashville, TN at 88 on March 28, 2012.
Bill Monroe sang the high lonesome sound of bluegrass but it was the lightning 3-finger picking of Earl Scruggs’ banjo that propelled the music.
Scruggs left the claw hammer style of banjo, which is similar to thumb picking and strumming the guitar, and popularized the clever and fast 3-finger picking style.
Although other banjo players played 3-finger style, it was Earl Scruggs job with Bill Monroe in 1945 that catapulted the style to the forefront. Scruggs-style is the defacto standard for banjo players today. Continue reading
American rock and roll star John (Cougar) Mellencamp has booked the “No Better Than This” across Canada tour this summer, starting in Penticton BC on June 14th.
This tour may be the sleeper concert of the summer. Bigger acts in bigger cities will draw larger audiences but Mellencamp and The Cowboy Junkies will move your soul in a good direction.
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“Turn, Turn, Turn” from Forrest Gump soundtrack
With words from the Book of Ecclesiastes, Pete Seeger wrote a timeless song that became a #1 hit for The Byrds in 1965.
A populist movement is working to give Pete Seeger his first personal # 1 hit with his cover of Bob Dylan’s Forever Young.
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The popular folk/indie band is still working on their next album but new songs are trickling out. “Lover’s Eyes” is a new song for Mumford and Sons.
Is all their new material slow and mellow like “Where Are You Now“?
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“Forever Young” sung by Pete Seeger for Amnesty International.
Updated with click-able links – At 92, Pete Seeger the folk troubadour is headed for the first #1 hit of his career. Tony Bennett just had his first # 1 hit album at 85. This will make Pete Seeger the oldest person with a hit record.
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