East Coast FH Correspondent Shelly Sweet-Tufano just sent us this "Peter and (Noel) Paul" concert review ... so we wanted to share with it with you ...
A) Because it's finally a DIFFERENT Peter ...
B) Because we don't feature this genre of music very often here in Forgotten Hits ...
And, quite frankly, it's just wrong to ignore it (intentionally or not), as folk music truly WAS all the rage for a brief period of time here in the early '60's.
and
C) Because it’s a damn good review!!
So, without another moment of hesitation, here is Shelley's review of Peter Yarrow and Paul Stookey, live in concert, from earlier this week. (kk)
It had been a year since we moved to Connecticut. The lake across the street had new houses built and sold since we had joined the neighborhood. Familiar music wafts through the air so I run outside to see who's radio is playing. But no ... the songs are coming from across the street and getting the echo effect from the lake. My father is working outside and says:
"He's a VP for a record company. I think he is having a party."
(WHAAAAA? Just how long were you going to sit on this information?)
My Dad: "Do you know the singers?"
Me: It's PETER, PAUL AND MARY!"
My Dad: "Are they famous?"
(AHHHHHHHHHHHH! I GIVE UP!)
There has been a generation gap since the beginning of time. Sometimes it seems deeper than other times.
On
August 15, 2023, I sit in the balcony of The Katherine Hepburn
Performing Arts Center.
Why?
I am here to watch Peter Yarrow and Noel
(Paul) Stookey in a perfect large, yet intimate setting.
Weave, weave, weave me the sunshine
Out of the falling rain
Weave me the hope of a new tomorrow
Fill my cup again
Yes,
Peter, Paul and Mary were folk singers with the passion of the 60s
peaceful protest for change culture. It is called a culture but it
really is a personal belief system that evolved into songs for changing
society's ills into wellness. It resonated with this audience for past,
present and future issues. I heard songs I sang as a child, a teenager
and a college student who became more attuned to the ideas expressed. As
with all ideas of change, I can agree with some, disagree with others
and respect your right to opinions. I firmly believe in every effort to
respect others no matter what their creed, color, nationality, religion,
orientations, or disabilities. That means respecting our differences. I
sound like a special education teacher.
Peter
interrupts the singing of 'Weave Me The Sunshine' to comically stop the
clapping of the crowd and announce, "This was to be such a formal
event." He and Noel break up into laughter and the atmosphere is
proclaimed.
Throughout this concert, I feel as I did listening to the
folk singing performances of college. Actually, this is the type of
performance I heard wafting from lakeside that summer day. Great music,
great musicians, great songs.
I
refer to 'Paul' as 'Noel' because that is what Peter calls him. And
when Noel introduces Peter, he pronounces his last name as 'Yair-row.' They have a standing bass player as well, named John Miller. (known for
his work on Broadway.) Peter enjoys talking, and as he continues to banter
with the audience about the relevancy of the lyrics of 'Weave Me The
Sunshine' in today's world, Noel keeps asking, "Have we gotten to the
steel and concrete crumbling yet?"
"No," says Peter continuously.
(These words are part of verse three.)
FINALLY, it happens:
I've seen the steel and the concrete crumble
Shine on me again
The proud and the mighty all have stumbled
Shine on me again
Shine on me again
The proud and the mighty all have stumbled
Shine on me again
This show is going to be fun!
Weave Me The Sunshine
Garden Song (this has become the theme song for Maine PBS)
PUFF the Magic Dragon
It's Magic
Been To Jail For Justice
Don't Laugh At Me
Where Have All The Flowers Gone
Don't Let The Light Go Out
'Puff'
was first sung here in German. When Noel asked Peter, "Did we ever
record it in French?" Peter replied, "No. They were too snooty!"
John
Miller has some great standing bass solos and Peter and Noel are still
bouncing around with guitars (especially Noel on the upbeat songs) at
the ages of 85. Noel drove eight and a half hours from Maine to get here.
They are playing for three nights at The Kate. Tonight was opening night,
but it was the last one booked, as tickets just kept selling out and the
theatre kept adding performances.
Intermission
Wedding Song (There is Love)
A House That Is Divided (this is a new song ... hope I have title correct)
The Times They Are A'Changing
This Little Light Of Mine / Down By The Riverside / When The Saints Go Marching In
Leaving On a Jet Plane
If I Had A Hammer
Blowin' In The Wind
Finale - This Land Is Your Land
The
second act breaks up Noel and Peter for solo performances. With Mary,
they did this at every performance, giving the audience a chance to
learn about each separately. Noel begins with 'Wedding Song' and a new
composition where he plays a mandolinio (sp?) I cannot find a picture
online of what I saw last night. Noel said it was a compilation
instrument, but it must be able to be found somewhere. Noel sang the
original lyrics of 'Wedding Song.' He wrote this for Peter's wedding
after some prayer, and when he played it for his wife, she remarked,
"They are not going to get the first person references. They will think
you are proclaiming yourself the second coming." So it was recorded with
the pronoun "He/His". We heard it tonight with the pronoun "I," which
originally reflected the song coming from the voice from Heaven. 'House
Divided' refers to elephants, donkeys, red, and blue. Guess which House
this is that is divided?
Peter
sings 'The Times They Are A'Changing' with a pinch of Dylan added. The
medley 'This Little Light Of Mine / Down By The Riverside / When The Saints'
gets the audience pumped up and clapping again (It's ok ... Clapping
really was allowed. lol)
You
can hear the remainder of the concert in your mind. 'Peter, Paul and
Mommy, Too' was the first album I bought for my youngest brother. He
played it into scratched out city. The other albums I owned ... WAIT! I
still have them, thank you very much.
So many memories arose tonight,
including those of my first romantic love at the end of High School,
beginning of college. Love you, Joel!
ON YOUR FEET NOW! THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND! THIS LAND IS MY LAND!
Oh Dad? Yes. They are famous!
Shelley J Sweet-Tufano
NE Correspondent
Forgotten Hits
