Peter Paul and Mary - 50 Years with Peter Paul and Mary

  by Lisa Torem

published: 22 / 12 / 2016

Label: Peter Paul and Mary
Format: DVD

intro

Glowingly gratifying documentary which traces the American folk pop trio Peter, Paul and Mary's greatest hits and most benevolent accomplishments

American folk-pop group Peter, Paul and Mary was formed and managed by Albert Grossman, who brought to their attention an original song written by another client, Bob Dylan. That song was ‘Blowin’ in the Wind,’ which brought the trio international fame with their eponymous debut album. When Grossman first heard their rendition of the Great Depression ballad, ‘Brother (Buddy, Can you Spare a Dime', he was completely smitten and moved to tears. They started out their musical career playing clubs like Why Not and The Soul Gallery in New York’s Greenwich Village. Singer/guitarist/songwriter Peter Yarrow, in fact, asserts that it was “the intoxication of the Village” which inspired their honest storytelling and showmanship. ”Each voice was its own character,” Yarrow recalls of those formative, innocent years. During their first year of touring, they performed six concerts a week, packing rooms with their powerful harmonies and expert guitar playing. ’50 Years with Peter, Paul and Mary’ relays the back stories behind each performance without distracting special effects or disorienting colour. Instead, this documentary focuses intently on artistic expression, social justice, pertinent observers of the era and heartfelt arrangements. Whoopi Goldberg sums up Mary Travers' performance style: speaking with great enthusiasm, she explains that Travers used her whole body when she sang, which was not typical of the female stylist of the folk era. And true to form, the camera captures the lovely songstress, bobbing her long, blonde hair to a contagious, instrumental beat. The DVD is jam-packed with great songs. Early on, there is the sincere ‘If I Had My Way’ and, further along, Yarrow explains that ‘Puff the Magic Dragon’ is not just for children. The early audiences didn’t seem to realize that they were supposed to sing along; there were a few blank stares and some uncomfortable body language in the beginning, but as the peace movement gained momentum, a remarkable joie de vivre took hold. It was as though the audience would never stop clapping and singing along—after all. They had become sonic, co-owners of the moment and the movement. “Love was in the air,” Yarrow says about the performance at The Newport Folk Festival, over the course of a few days. They bang out a hearty ‘If I Had a Hammer,’ co-composed by the late Pete Seeger. Peter, Paul and Mary made it a point to entertain at political rallies and demonstrations. In 1963, with three albums in the top ten, they joined Martin Luther King for the legendary March that took place in Washington, D.C., and as they crooned stanzas of ‘Blowin’ In The Wind,’ shots of pickets signs, hyper-alert cops and demonstrators danced under the lens. “Now music began to articulate its dreams,” Yarrow adds. And what song could then be more appropriate then Dylan’s ‘The Times They Are a Changin’’. Their involvement came at a price, yet, despite death threats and hate mail, they kept up their commitment to serious causes, as the burgeoning Civil Rights Movement expanded into the Anti-Vietnam Involvement Movement. They also made the decision to support the liberal, presidential candidate, Eugene McCarthy, for whom they penned the song, ‘If You Love Your Country.’ But perhaps the most captivating moment was of ‘The Great Mandala.’ For many, this ballad represents the quintessential, anti-war song. It tells the story of an imprisoned, conscientious objector who chooses to starve, rather than fight in what he considers an unjust battle. When Yarrow sings, “I will never kill another,” as his bandmates churn out haunting harmonies and delicate, instrumental runs, it’s impossible not to feel deep emotions rise to the surface. You have to see the documentary to discover the tearful story inspired by this one-off ballad. Of course, every musician has to keep up with the times. The documentary illustrates how their pop roots magnified as the era shifted focus from folk to rock. And individual changes occurred as well. Noel Paul Stookey, one third of the famous trio, undertook a search for spiritual grounding, which impacted his themes. ‘Hymn’ was one perfect example. The band broke up for seven years and then came back together for a benefit concert meant to thwart the building of a dangerous power plant near the San Andreas Fault. And in keeping with their commitment to those less fortunate, they set out to visit homeless centres. That’s when the beautiful ‘There But for Fortune’ is aired. Not surprisingly, Peter, Paul and Mary become Human Rights delegates and visit Central America, where they experience first-hand how American policies have affected the citizens. Long-time manager Ken Fritz would state, “There’s a cause and they’re there.” Their legacy becomes apparent as they sing ‘Day is Done’ in front of a large, multi-generational audience, who clap along with great excitement. Other key moments include: Yarrow’s daughter, Bethany, explaining the profound education her father has given her, and proclaiming, “What a gift it is to sing with my father"; a concert with Tom Paxton; a rendition of the beloved, race horse saga ‘Stewball,’ in which luminaries Richie Havens, Dave Von Ronk and Odetta, cheer them on; and a 2003 Carnegie Hall Performance with Pete Seeger. And as the DVD nears the finish line, the two remaining members, Stookey and Yarrow, are seen performing the trio’s coveted repertoire at a striking memorial service on behalf of Mary Travers. Also of note are a series of beautiful, bonus tracks, including upbeat ‘Weave Me rhe Sunshine,’ Stookey’s now classic ‘Wedding Song’ (There Is Love)' and the hypnotic closer, ‘A Soalin’’.

Track Listing:-