I was just a bit too young to participate in the American folk revival of the late 1950s and early Sixties. Chicago's great folk clubs, Gate of Horn and the Earl of Old Town were closed by the time I got there. But the folk artists of that era continue to fascinate me, with their renditions of both new and old acoustic music, and their liberal to left-wing politics.
One of the great figures of that era was Peggy Seeger--Mike's sister and Pete's half-sister, who was married to another legendary folk figure, the late Ewan MacColl.
I was searching YouTube, hoping to find the Peggy Seeger/Ewan MaColl song, Come Fill Up Your Glasses, which used to be played every New Year's Eve on the WFMT Radio program, the Midnight Special. I didn't find it, but I found that Peggy Seeger is still active in folk music and politics. Her song, "Obama is the One for Me" reminds us that the idealism of the 1960s never really died, no matter what the last forty years have done to crush it.
5 comments:
This was just what I needed to watch and listen to and it sure gave my spirits a much needed boost. This video and the song are simply charming!
Lisa, I'm glad it helped. And that trip to Scotland should help, too, especially since you'll be gone during the nastiest part of the campaign. From what I can tell, the news media aren't giving Palin's accusations the same kind of credence they gave the Swift Boat Liars.
The idealism hasn't died in some folks. I think it did in others.
What nice music! I don't remember a presidential candidate inspiring so much art, music, and cinematography. We'll look back on this year with a lump in our throats, I think, no matter how things turn out.
This ole hippie has been waiting a long time for this.
Thanks for posting this.
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