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Description:
One of the most enduring acts in American music, Peter Paul And Mary both defined and transcended the 1960s folk revival. The trio's passionate commitment to peace and social justice made them the conscience of an era as they soulfully communicated political concerns through music in an unprecedented way. At the same time that they reached millions with their social message, they acheived phenomenal mass popularity.
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213 of 216 found the following review helpful:
Highlights from more than 40 years in the music businessAug 26, 2005
By Paul Tognetti
"The real world is so much more interesting!"
It is hard to believe that they released their very first Warner Brothers single more than 47 years ago. And although Peter Yarrow, Noel Paul Stookey and Mary Travers get credit for producing Rhino's brand new 2005 release "The Very Best of Peter Paul and Mary", I find it hard to believe that these folks ever really thought of themselves as a singles act or worried too much about how successful their records were on Billboard's Hot 100. Peter Paul and Mary were much more concerned with the issues they sang about and with the "live" performances they gave. Yet the fact of the matter is that Peter Paul and Mary made a half dozen Top Ten hits and amassed an impressive total of 19 charted hits. During their heydey in the 1960's they sold a ton of albums as well. The group still performs on a fairly regular basis, continues to record new material and boasts an extremely loyal following.
For collectors like myself, Rhino has finally given us a pretty comprehensive single disc collection cleverly entitled "The Very Best of Peter Paul and Mary". Fans of the group would quickly point out that the 25 tunes on this CD do not necessarily represent the best songs the group ever made. I would be the first to agree with that assessment. Rather, "Very Best" presents the groups biggest and best singles as well as a number of memorable tunes from the groups most popular albums. Of course you will find the familiar hits you heard on the radio like "For Lovin' Me", "Puff The Magic Dragon", "Blowin' In the Wind" and their biggest hit ever from 1970 "Leaving On A Jet Plane". You will also hear Peter Paul and Mary belt out some of folk music's most important and memorable songs. Enjoy great renditions of Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land", Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin'" as well as Pete Seeger's classic "If I Had A Hammer". Listen to some of PP&M's lesser known gems like "The Great Mandala (The Wheel of Life)" and "El Salvador" a haunting tune written by Noel Paul Stookey in the mid-eighties. For a brief period in the early 1970's the group took a hiatus from performing and each recorded solo albums. This collection also features a solo recording by each from this period including Noel Paul Stookey's memorable "Wedding Song (There Is Love) which was a pretty big hit back in 1971.
"The Very Best of Peter Paul and Mary" replaces a vinyl copy of the 1970 release "Ten Years Together--The Best of Peter Paul and Mary" in my collection. It is a major upgrade. The remastering job is wonderful and Rhino has provided a 20 page booklet to peruse. For most people looking for a good overview of their work this collection will surely fill the bill. Highly recommended!
79 of 81 found the following review helpful:
The Very Best..............Nov 14, 2005
By Steven K. Szmutko This collection is superior to any of the other "best-of" releases. Peter, Paul & Mary have been, throughout their successful career, consistently talented capturing their audiences attention and delight for 40 some years.
This collection includes their major hits as well as the best of their other works. Solo efforts -- The Wedding Song, Follow Me, and Weave me the Sunshine -- round out the collection.
Unlike other "best-of" collections which are essentially vinyl re-packages, this one contains proper re-masterings and provides great value for anyone who enjoys the folk-rock experience.
48 of 51 found the following review helpful:
I still dig Peter, Paul & MaryFeb 05, 2006
By Peter Reeve When reviewing PP&M's other 'Best of' CD (10 Years Together), I advised that this 'Very Best of' CD is better value, and I stand by that. It has solo efforts by each of the trio, including Noel (Paul) Stookey's very fine The Wedding Song (There is Love). It has all the tracks that the other CD has, plus 12 more. That's almost twice as many. So this is very definitely the one to go for.
Today's listeners might prefer to hear some of these songs from the writers themselves - Bob Dylan, Gordon Lightfoot, John Denver - rather than these covers. At the time, we preferred the sweet tones of PP&M. They did a lot to start the careers of Dylan and Denver.
As a cultural phenomenon, the 60s didn't really get going until 1963 or 64, so PP&M anticipated this slightly and their early style has much of 50s skiffle in it. This music is the bridge between skiffle and late 60s folk-rock, and between Pete Seeger/Woodie Guthrie social awareness and mid-60s protest songs. It's the genuine article; there is nothing on this album that would be out of place in a folk club.
20 of 20 found the following review helpful:
incredible songs and hits from Peter, Paul & MaryApr 22, 2008
By Matthew G. Sherwin The Very Best of Peter, Paul & Mary is an impressive CD with twenty-five (yes, twenty-five) wonderful folk rock songs by Peter, Paul & Mary. They sing and play beautifully; and this album proves they were--and still are--extremely talented. The sound quality is excellent and the artwork is very well done.
"Early In The Morning" starts the CD with some great harmonizing and they sing their separate parts well, too. The guitar work is beautiful and Peter, Paul & Mary never sounded better! "Lemon Tree" is a classic folk rock song and this always was one of my very favorite tunes by Peter, Paul & Mary. They sound great and the guitars work well for "Lemon Tree." "If I Had A Hammer" is a song of hope for a better future and a better quality of life than people had in the turbulent 1960s; and these musicians don't ever miss a beat!
"Puff, The Magic Dragon" still manages to tug at my heartstrings even though I first heard it roughly forty years ago; this touching song really is very beautiful. I don't know if the rumors about hidden meanings of the lyrics are true or not; I just like the song for what it is at face value. "This Land Is Your Land" is a stunning ballad that gets the royal treatment from Peter, Paul & Mary who sing this with panache, heart and soul. It's a beautiful and somewhat catchy number that is clearly a major highlight of this album. "Blowin' In The Wind" also stuns me with its beauty; Peter, Paul & Mary sing this to perfection--and beyond! Peter, Paul & Mary cry out for social justice and this all works very well.
"Stewball" was always one of my favorite Peter, Paul & Mary songs even though it wasn't their very biggest hits; this tune about a horse that ran good races is very touching. "Leaving On A Jet Plane," however, is definitely one of their greatest hits; and I especially like Mary's contributions to the vocals on this number. "I Dig Rock And Roll Music" shines like silver and gold when they do this awesome cover; and I predict you'll love this number if you haven't heard it already.
"Day Is Done" has great vocal effects and I really like "Day Is Done." "Wedding Song (There Is Love)" gives us a particularly sensitive ballad that showcases Peter, Paul & Mary's fine vocal talents. The album ends with "Don't Laugh At Me;" this song about people, relationships, and the need for respect for all the people makes a fine ending to this great album.
Peter, Paul & Mary will never be forgotten; their music is timeless and this album proves it. I highly recommend this album for their fans; and people who love folk rock music will love this album forever.
15 of 15 found the following review helpful:
The exquisite sound of Peter, Paul, and MaryMar 21, 2008
By Steven A. Peterson Peter, Paul, and Mary were among the best known folk singers of their time. Their voices interacted so well one with another. Their harmonies are classic. This CD has 25 songs on it, including a handful of later pieces. However, most are from the 1960s and early 1970s.
My reactions to a handful of the cuts:
"Lemon Tree" is one of their early treasures. Recurring lines:
"Don't put your faith in love,
Love is like a lemon tree.
Lemon tree very pretty. . . .
But the fruit of the lemon is impossible to eat."
A love song with an unhappy ending. Harmonies are great, with simple instrumental support. Neat song indeed!
Pete Seeger's "If I Had a Hammer" is another classic. Peter, Paul, and Mary fans will be tapping their toes as they listen to this. An enchanting work.
Another Seeger song, "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" This was one of the first anti-war songs I listened to in the 1960s. From the opening lines about "Where have all the flowers gone" to "Where have all the Husbands gone" to "Where have all the soldiers gone" to "Gone to graveyards, every one." Another of their classic tunes.
Then there is "Puff the Magic Dragon." Dopes in the 1960s thought that this was a druggie song. I don't hear that message at all here. Another enchanting song, with a poignant close.
And now for something completely different. . . Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are a-Changin'." This version is very different from the composer's. But Peter, Paul, and Mary place their own imprint on the song and it works well on those terms.
And there's so much more. . . . Other Dylan works abound ("Blowin' in the Wind," "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right," etc.). And "Stewball." And "500 Miles." And "Leavin' on a Jet Plane." One of my absolute favorites of theirs is on this CD: "The Great Mandela."
Peter, Paul, and Mary fans should be well pleased with this CD. And those not so familiar with the trio will find this a nice entree into their body of work. All in all, an estimable work.
based on 126 reviews
( 126 customer reviews )
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