Posts Tagged ‘Pete Seeger’

Pete Seeger Auction for Haitian Relief

Monday, January 25th, 2010

In an effort to raise funds to help the victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti, Pete Seeger has donated the famous head of his banjo for auction on Ebay.

The banjo head bears the inscription, “This Machine Surrounds Hate and Forces It to Surrender,” and it’s been on Seeger’s longneck Vega banjo for more than 30 years.

From the auction description: “It’s been played in nearly every state in the union and all around the world. In many countries, many people of many politics, colors, and religions listened the notes trickling from this banjo head. From civil rights rallies, to saving rivers, to saving the planet, to the steps of the White House, Pete’s big 90th birthday celebration in Madison Square Garden, the folks of Clearwater, the Beacon Sloop Club, and the Children’s Chorus of Beacon…indeed, this is a piece of history.”

All proceeds from the auction will go to East African environmentalist and 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Muta Maathai in her efforts to address the social and economic developmental needs of the devastated country of Haiti.

The auction ends on Friday, January 29.

Odd Couple: Pete Seeger/Paul Draper

Monday, January 18th, 2010

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we present the legendary Pete Seeger singing “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around” accompanied by pianist Coleridge Perkinson and tap dancer Paul Draper:

Thanks to Bowtie for the tip

All About Pete Seeger’s Banjo

Friday, October 2nd, 2009

banjoChances are that you know Tom Lindsay and Michael Eck as musicians. They play together as the Lost Radio Rounders, formerly the Gospel Train. (Mister Eck also commands the jug/mandolin chair in Ramblin Jug Stompers and performs solo, as well). And recently, LRR have been performing their new themed program, “American Favorite Ballads: The Songs of Pete Seeger,” around Nippertown at such venues as The Linda in Albany and Old Songs in Voorheesville.

And the two definitely know what they’re talking about when it comes to the legendary Seeger. You’ll know what I mean if you pick up a copy of the new issue of The Fretboard Journal, a prestigious quarterly magazine that’s actually more like a book.

Lindsay and Eck contributed a marvelous feature story about Seeger’s iconic longneck banjo to the Fall 2009 issue of the journal. Lindsay (who teaches a course in American music history) took the photos and Eck (a nationally recognized music writer) penned the text.

The story is titled “To Great Lengths: The Far Reach of Pete Seeger and His Longneck Five-String Banjo,” and it’s chockful of great full-color photographs, plenty of detailed history and insights from Seeger himself. In addition, the story is accompanied by additional in-depth stories about Seeger’s 12-string guitar and his famous instuctional book, “How to Play the 5-String Banjo.” Altogether, Lindsay and Eck’s contributions total up to 16 full pages.

The issue of Fretboard Journal (number 15, if you’re counting) features Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy on the cover. Also included in the magazine are a look at the guitars of the Lawson Bros., a peek into the guitar workshop of Rick Kelly and an fascinating interview with Alison Brown conducted by Abigail Washburn.

The magazine is available locally at Guitar Center, Borders and Barnes & Noble.

TV: Seeger celebration

Thursday, August 6th, 2009

In case you missed the premiere on WMHT-TV last Sunday evening, the public television channel is repeating “Great Performances: Pete Seeger’s 90th Birthday Concert from Madison Square Garden,” twice this weekend.

Ironically, on Sunday evening when the concert had its area broadcast, concert participants Billy Bragg (at The Egg) and Jay Ungar and Molly Mason (at Clifton Commons) were both performing in the Capital Region.

Filmed earlier this year with a never-ending parade of special guests that stretched from Bruce Springsteen and Dave Matthews to Joan Baez and Ani DiFranco, the Seeger birthday concert will be re-broadcast at 9pm Saturday, August 8 and again at 11am on Sunday, August 9.

Advertise on Nippertown!Jim Gaudet and the Railroad BoysJazz Diva Jill Hughes75 GrandCartoonist John CaldwellUpstate EtherArtist Charles HaymesArt Night SchenectadyLeave Regular Radio Behind3rd Friday SchenectadyHudson SoundsG.C. HaymesThe Law Office of Paul RappCaffe LenaCapital Repertory Theater