Greatest Hits

fabulous singers

It arrived promptly and in good condition. Plays well. Completely satisfied.

This is a good compulation of a group that was very popular in the 40's and 50's and long after. Their music would now be labeled as protest songs and they would be labeled as "commies" and they probably were but it was a time when they "spread the word" through music and had a great following. As they had crystal clear voices where all words came out and the drama or the fun of the song also came crystal clear.

Awhile ago I finally decided to pursue the influences of 1950s and 1960s folk music I enjoyed. I learned about the Weavers, and had to give this CD a listen. First, the sound quality was a good demonstration of how well digital restoration works. Anyway, I had heard a relatively recent live performance of "Good Night Irene" and wanted to find the original. The Weavers' version had reluctantly been conformed to the runaway evils of McCarthyism, but eventually I found Lead Belly's original (see The Definitive ...). I thoroughly enjoyed this hits collection, even if some say some of their best is missing. It was nice to hear songs where it was easy to understand the words. Sometimes I think too many modern pop stars are embarrassed about their voices and/or lyrics and so choose to smother their songs with overbearing percussion and screeching instruments. Fortunately Bob Dylan didn't do that - preserving that much of folk music tradition even if he did go electric.

Great memories and great music - mostly folk tunes ranging from the Civil War into the early '60's.. I've been around long enough to be familiar with most of them but it's been awhile since hearing them. The Weavers did a really good job here. It was so good to hear them again. . . and you can sing along with these tunes! Enjoy.

I bought this CD because I have the vinyl album and this has truly been one of the very favorite albums I ever owned. The Weavers have an infectious joy in their singing that I've not heard anywhere else; I tap my feet and sing along and have joy with it also! Seeing the PBS special on them makes it even more special when I know their history and their impressive role in folk music. This is the "real stuff."

The Weavers ain't gettin' any younger. One of them is already in a wheelchair. I saw Pete Seeger up at the Clearwater Festival in June and he was so frail. They just drove him around everywhere. Point? This "twofer" or double album was recorded in the height of their youthful energy. They were never better and will never be there again. This album is a great historical "record" of their music career, controversies and all.

If you are of a certain age and you wish to know where Springsteen, Baez, Peter Paul and Mary and many others got their inspiration this is it. Pete Seeger recently passed. As far as I can tell Ronnie Gilbert is still with us and still performing. This was her in her prime and it is wonderful.