Pete Seeger's Folk Songs for Young People is a collection of traditional folk songs featuring his homey voice and his banjo. There are two Jewish songs included, some spoken word, and one blues genre song, but all are still presented by Seeger on the Banjo with a folksy twist. Some tracks are recorded from live shows and include children singing in the background. Although the tempo varies between songs, the majority are upbeat and perfect for playtime or car rides.

This recording is clearly aimed at preserving the American folk tradition, as each song includes commentary explaining some history behind the song. For example, "Weave Room Blues" was created by a worker in a weaving room, while "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child," is told from the perspective of a slave who was sold. The tempo of that song is much slower than the rest of the album, to match the sorrowful words sung low against the gentle picking of the banjo. Another song on the CD is, "Way Down Yonder in the Cornfield;" and children will recognize the phase "Ba Ba Black sheep" in the song. Seeger also sings "Four Pence a Day" in an Irish accent and explains that it was created in the time when children as young as eight years old had to go to work. The volume and tempo change often in songs, with the chorus usually being louder, adding to the excitement and fun. The fast banjo playing and picking in "John Henry" and silly nature of the "Pepsi-Cola" song are particularly fun.

Seeger's personal approach to each song makes listeners feel like he is right there in the room with them; he tells stories and encourages everyone to join in with him. Many of the songs have repeating choruses, or Seeger feeds the lines ahead of time so everyone can participate the first time around. This is particularly helpful in "On Top of Old Smokey" when Seeger sings beyond the traditional verse that most people are familiar with. The Jewish Passover song, "Dayenu" may be a familiar song to some children, but also a fun sing-along song for those hearing it for the first time, as well as teaching listeners a few Yiddish words. The recording for "Dayenu" is from a live concert and the children in the background are clearly excited and singing at the top of their lungs, which will certainly bring a smile to listener's faces. "Vigndig a Fremd Kind" is another Yiddish song, and Seeger translates each verse.

Last year I had the rare opportunity to see Pete Seeger perform in New Orleans at the annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (Jazz Fest). He played before tens of thousands of people, all on their feet singing along with him. At 90 years old, the vast majority of people there probably never heard of Pete Seeger, but they sure were familiar with the songs that he made famous. He led the crowd through song after song, repeating the verse first so the audience could sing the words. I've decided that he may be one of the few people in the world who actually knows all the verses to "This Land is Your Land." After the performance, he and his grandson - who plays with him - participated in an hour-long discussion about his music and his life. To say the least, it was fascinating to hear the stories of his journeys. He appeared to be a humble man, just trying to make a small difference in the world through his music. In my book, he's made a huge difference. I've thought about that afternoon often over the past year, and now when I hear a Pete Seeger song, I think about it in a whole new way.

--Joan

American Folk Singer Pete Seeger was quite prominent in the mid-twentieth century American folk music revival. "Songs for Young People" was first released in 1959. Seeger's early work was influenced by fellow singer-activists Woody Guthrie and Huddie Ledbetter, whom he met while travelling. Seeger was played on the radio prominently in the 1940s and 50s, and was a member of The Weavers until 1958 when he left the group to pursue his solo career. His music was blacklisted during the McCarthy era. He is perhaps best known for being involved in the creating of such classics as, "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?, If I Had a Hammer, and Turn, Turn, Turn" which became a classic even outside of the folk genre.

Seeger has been awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a Harvard Arts Medal, the Kennedy Center Award, the Presidential Medal of the Arts, and is honored in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In addition to being a musician, singer, and songwriter, Seeger is also a labor activist, environmentalist, and peace advocate.

1 - Skip to My Lou (2:20)

2 - Blow the Man Down (1:10)

3 - Weave Room Blues (0:40)

4 - The Farmer Is the Man (Who Feeds Us All) (1:10)

5 - Wood-Chopping Song (2:34)

6 - Four Pence a Day (1:14)

7 - Vigndig a Fremd Kind (1:01)

8 - Way Down Yonder in the Corn Field (2:59)

9 - Pepsi-Cola (0:58)

10 - Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child (3:16)

11 - Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho (2:03)

12 - Oh, Worrycare (5:32)

13 - On Top of Old Smokey (1:27)

14 - Irene (Goodnight Irene) (2:17)

15 - John Henry (4:30)

16 - Dayenu (1:34)

17 - It Could Be a Wonderful World (2:46)