Peter Paul & Mary - In These Times
|
List Price: Our Price: $6.65 You Save: $7.27 (52%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $3.88 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for In These Times
Free Music Review: Still Conscientious After All These Years!
Hit: 5 Stars
Peter, Paul and Mary transformed themselves from Greenwich Village folk singers to part of the nation's social conscience when they marched with Dr. Martin Luther King in the early `60s. Their history includes taking stands for civil rights (both in the U.S. and later in South Africa, among other places), the labor movement, peace in Southeast Asia, and equal rights. Add respect for all humans in schools, communities, and society along with peace in the Middle East to that list and you begin to form a picture of how this trio has refused to mellow as time marches on."In These Times" covers the gamut of the struggle for rights and respect from its Woody Guthrie inspired opening medley to the poignant portrayal of the Mathew Shepard tragedy in Wyoming in "Jesus Is on the Wire". "Don't Laugh At Me" has become the anthem of various movements, from bully-proofing our schools to teaching tolerance in everyday human relations.
The selections on this CD pay tribute to PP&M's folk roots with a rousing "Wayfaring Stranger". "It's Magic", a perennial Noel Paul Stookey favorite in their concert dates, describes life's indescribable moments and why they should be left to be that way. Closing with "Oh, Had I A Golden Thread" serves as a nod to "The Hammer Song" co-composer Pete Seeger, and bookends the CD perfectly.
The voices are 40-plus years older than the self-titled debut album of Peter, Paul and Mary, but resonate with wisdom and caring from the ages. Peter Yarrow has never crooned more beautifully than "Don't Laugh At Me". Mary Travers' declarative spirit has never rung truer than in "Have You Been to Jail for Justice". Noel? Well, the guy is just good!
There are many ways to vote in this country. Soon, we'll be asked to choose between candidates, one of whom wants to amend our constitution to make it illegal for two people who love each other to marry. We can vote for that man and his policies or for another who opposes those policies. We can also vote, and show solidarity, by buying this CD and sharing it with our friends. Many of them will be surprised at its fiery message. Many more will be amazed by the incredible quality of its performances. And many will want to share it with their friends, and so on...
How can we keep from singing?
Free Music Review: Their Fight Hasn't Changed
Hit: 5 Stars
Most of the groups that started in the sixties have either disbanded, died, or moved far away from the sounds and ideas that got them their popularity in the first place. Not so this group, a group that I think can appeal to almost every segment of American (and even world) society. Their voices have changed over the years; Mary no longer soars, but instead has a warmth and mellowness that you can wallow in; Peter now has a serious case of the wobbles, but which fits perfectly with the type of songs in this album; Paul perhaps has changed the least, with his distinctive phrasing and solid bass.
But this album proves that the type of songs they started with back in 1962 is still the focus of this group, songs that celebrate the unity of all mankind, that strike out against prejudice, bigotry, and the inhumanities against both spirit and body that are still all too prevalent in the world today.
"Jesus on the Wire" is a truly haunting portrait in song of just these points; Mary's current voice seems almost perfect for this image of a truly horrendous act. Regardless of your own views of homosexuality, this song will drive home what being a human is.
"Invisible People" highlights the blinding arrogance of some people and groups, and its deadly effects on those left outside of their closed vision.
"Some Walls" harmonically doesn't work as well for me as some of the other songs here, but it is still a very pretty song with an acid bite.
"Don't Laugh at Me" will probably strike a chord with everyone, as I think we've all been subjected to ridicule or ostracism at one point or another for some perceived flaw in character or looks.
"All God's Critters" highlights the fact that this group can still have fun, that they still enjoy children and children's songs, and I don't see how you can't end up singing along with this one.
Musically, most of the songs here are simple, done with only a few acoustic instruments, almost a complete return to the type of sound they had on their very first album. It's striking, haunting, and richly enfolding. I just wish this group could go on singing forever.
--- Reviewed by Patrick Shepherd (hyperpat)
Free Music Review: The Message Remains The Same
Hit: 5 Stars
God bless Peter, Paul and Mary. Their music may not sound quite as good as it did 40 years ago-- although they have nothing to be ashamed of on this album-- their message remains the same: we must fight oppression wherever we find it. (Actually this great group now includes positive songs about gay people, something they probably couldn't have gotten away with in the early 60's.) According to the information included with the CD, a portion of the royalties from the sale of it goes to People For The American Way Foundation, an organization dear to many of our hearts.Most of the songs on this CD are new, according to the copyright dates, and most of them celebrate diversity. There are of course some of the classic composers of this sort of song included here from Woody Guthrie to Pete Seeger. But there is also a moving tribute to Matthew Shepherd ("Jesus Is On The Wire") and one of my favorites called "Some Walls." Pete Seeger's "Oh, Had I A Golden Thread," the final cut on this CD will make your spine tingle and/or your eyes burn. The group sings this beautiful classic very slowly accompanied only be a mandolin and a obbligato-like lick by a harmonica. Moving beyond words. These folks still sing well!
Listening to this CD, however, is bittersweet. I could not call a dear friend with whom I first attended a P, P and M concert many years ago and tell him to rush out and buy this great new CD. He fell to AIDS in 1988 during the reign of an American president who for years into his presidency could not utter the word in public, let alone, by his example, fight for better treatment if not a cure.
Free Music Review: There are still great folks out there!
Hit: 5 Stars
Well; I can't just write a cold "matter of fact" review about this CD. I grew up with my father, a strong democrat man and a faithful P,P & M fan. Deep in my heart, and for years, I've sung the Day is Done, Blowing in the Wind, 500 Miles...How can I keep from singing? It's the very core of my childhood. I'm a musician, a choral conductor, a strong lover of Spirituals and Gospel music. Martin Luther King, Gandhi and the 60's belong to my deepest memories, to those true ethical principles I still belive in. So Peter, Paul and Mary... listening to you here..to you talking about the ways to bring down those WALLS; to you singing to Jesus on the Wire, calling for love and understanding and not for those expresions of dark fascism so common these days; to you coming to life again with your unique vocal and harmonic blend, to you giving a hand to those who've been to jail for justice. P.,P&M...Guys ..I LOVE YOU! There are still great folks out there, even IN THESE HORROFIC TIMES of the Iraq invasion and the building of new "Berlin Walls" to punish the Palestinian children. It's so warm and refreshing just listening to you, knowing that you're still there, together with Joan Baez, and Dylan, and Serrat in Spain, and Myriam Makeba in Africa, and Milanés in Cuba. God bless you to. Keep on singing, now an EVERY TIME. Amazon reviewers: This is a MUST BUY!Free Music Review: Still Crafting a Wonderful Spiritual Energy!
Hit: 5 Stars
Marvelous recording. No question about it! Most interesting tracks I think are "Have You Been to Jail for Justice? Listen Listen "Jesus Is on the Wire" They are putting their politics out there for everyone to see here. and "Don't Laugh at Me" I thought of my severely autistic boy named Stephen when I heard this song, and was shaken to the core in my concern for his social welfare and how he will get along in life when I'm not there to protect him. I found this reviewer's thoughts very interesting:
"Martin Luther King, Gandhi and the 60's belong to my deepest memories, to those true ethical principles I still belive in. So Peter, Paul and Mary... listening to you here..to you talking about the ways to bring down those WALLS; to you singing to Jesus on the Wire, calling for love and understanding and not for those expresions of dark fascism so common these days; to you coming to life again with your unique vocal and harmonic blend, to you giving a hand to those who've been to jail for justice."
The central great message of PPM is that they promote tolerance in human interactions, a kind of tolerance that if lived, would save this violent world from itself. Great Job!!!
God Speed to Mary Travers who has been bravely battling cancer.
Jeffrey McAndrew
author of "Our Brown-Eyed Boy"