This self-titled
Pete Seeger album is a reissue of the 1953 10" LP A Pete Seeger Concert released by Stinson Records and contains 12 live recordings apparently made in the early '50s. No date is given, but
Seeger sings "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine," a 1951 hit for his old group
the Weavers, and since the initial release was in 1953, that tends to narrow the time period. Although this is a live recording made with a warm audience willing to sing along, the tracks have had the applause largely edited out.
Seeger turns in a characteristic set that mixes folk songs from around the world -- Israel ("Road to Eilat"), Korea ("Ariran"), Germany ("Die Dendanken Sind Frei"), and Africa ("Bayeza") -- along with more familiar British/American fare touching on whaling, railroads, and factories. As much teacher as singer and song leader, he frails his banjo or strums his guitar while explaining the origins of the songs, then encourages his listeners to join him on the choruses. Although this reissue appeared at the height of his commercial renaissance in the mid-'60s, it presents the sort of performance he gave throughout his career. ~ William Ruhlmann