Paul amp Mary Peter - Ten Years Together The Best of Peter Paul Mary (13 tracks) +Album Reviews

All the essentials from a great sixties folk-pop trio

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 02/07/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This trio sometimes wrote their own songs, but most of the songs they are famous for are covers. Not just any covers - often they selected songs by people who were unknown at the time, but who became famous partly as a result of Peter Paul and Mary's hits.So it was that they were among the first to record Bob Dylan's songs. Of those, Blowing in the wind, Too much of nothing and Don't think twice its all right are included here.Gordon Lightfoot is represented by two songs - Early morning rain and For loving me, while John Denver was extremely grateful to Peter Paul and Mary for their recording of Leaving on a jet plane. It became their biggest hit and helped to get John's solo career going. Pete Seeger was already a legend by the time Peter Paul and Mary had a hit with his song If I had a hammer.Stewball is a lovely song about a racehorse. British skiffle singer Lonnie Donegan also recorded a song with the same title and clearly about the same horse, but the lyrics are different. If there ever was a racehorse called Stewball, I'd like to learn more about her, although the story may be pure fiction.Of the songs they wrote themselves, Puff the magic dragon is one of the finest children's songs ever written, while Day is done is a great, upbeat way to round off this collection."

This is the type of music that made the 60's the 60's

Thomas Lapins | Orlando, Florida USA | 10/01/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The harmonies of "Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young", "The Mammas and the Pappas" and "Peter, Paul and Mary" were the cornerstone vocals of the "love and peace" movement. Many of PP&M's songs don't come to mind until I hear them on some oldies station. Then I once again hear that simplistic innocence of yesteryear flood the air waves with the heartfelt idealism that created these masterpieces. When I hear "500 Miles" and "Day Is Done" thirtysome years later, the time warp of today's digital world vanishes. These two are folk music at its very best. Then we have the pop hits "I Dig Rock And Roll Music" and "Leaving On A Jet Plane" and it's the late 60's and early 70's. Both are as fresh today as they were thirty years ago. "Blowin' In The Wind" is Dylan's song. PP&M give a harmonic interpretation but this one needs the cutting edge of Dylan's sarcastic vocals. "Lemon Tree" and "Puff (The Magic Dragon)" have their place but have never held my attention. "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" works well with their style. "If I Had A Hammer" still rings true and right! "Early Mornin' Rain" and "For Lovin' Me" are two of those campfire folk songs that sound good even without the harmonies and snap, crackle, pop of a campfire."

The ORIGINAL "Puff! The Magic Dragon"... Need I Say More?

G. Parks | Washington NJ USA | 06/08/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Well, let's see: "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright" is excellent; "Too Much Of Nothing" you'd *never* recognize as being sung by P.P.&M. but is excellent too (and anti-drug!); "Lemon Tree" is a highly sexist classic; "500 Miles" is absolutely haunting. All of the others tunes here are only marginal -- with, of course, ONE big exception: "Puff! The Magic Dragon". This is the FIRST, the ORIGINAL version, sung slowly, seriously, and with a quiet dignity which no "kiddie record" can ever duplicate. This version of "Puff" is easily worth the price of the entire CD, so if you get no other title in Peter, Paul & Mary, this is the title to get. Enjoy!

LATE ADDENDUM: I must confess that I based the above review, NOT on the CD, but on the original vinyl LP on which this CD is based. Now that I've actually heard the CD itself, I can ratify all that I have said above -- with ONE caveat: "Puff! The Magic Dragon" has been "remastered", which is to say that the bass has been greatly boosted. This is not entirely welcome -- for God's sake, why mess with perfection!? -- but it does not, on the whole, detract from one's enjoyment of the song. Nevertheless, I thought I would mention it because there are some people who (quite understandably) take exception to that kind of tampering."

True classics from an iconic 1960s group

Catherine S. Vodrey | East Liverpool, Ohio United States | 09/12/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Peter, Paul & Mary's "Ten Years Together" is an excellent introduction to the group for anyone who's not familiar with their work. It shows off their seamless, sumptuous harmonies, their willingness to step back and let the songs be the stars of the show, and the ease with which they move from ballads to more upbeat tunes.Showcased here, of course, is Mary Travers' voice, an instrument of such crystalline purity that it has something of the angels in it. Paul and Peter back her up beautifully, content to let her be (usually) the main vocalist while they harmonize. Their choice of material is top-notch. They do Dylan's sad, weary "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" and lend it a bittersweet quality that's missing from his own version. On John Denver's excellent "I'm Leaving On A Jet Plane," the trio captures the fear and hopefulness of the lyrics. "Too Much of Nothing" has a sassy, almost Mamas-and-the-Papas quality to it, and "Stewball"--an improbably wonderful tune about a racehorse--manages to convey genuine regret despite the oddness of its subject. "Lemon Tree" and "Puff the Magic Dragon" are but two others of the many wonderful songs on this CD. Do yourself a favor and listen to how true, trained harmonies can elevate a song well beyond itself. Peter, Paul & Mary are the real thing--a necessary quality missing all too often from the so-called work of so many folk and pop singers today."

Simply outstanding!

Wilfredo C. Derequito | Dhahran, Saudi Arabia | 01/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've always been a Bob Dylan fan through all these years for despite the raw and guttural quality of his voice, the melodic and, oh boy! lyrical brilliance of his songs are more than enough to fall back on. Combine Bob's melodic edge with Peter, Paul and Mary's fine songmanship and what have we got? A truly masterful product of the highest musical standard.What's so good about this trio is their superior choice of materials coupled with the ability to give the materials the right treatment that they deserve, whether they are Bob Dylan, Gordon Lightfoot or John Denver tunes. Their perfect harmony, delivery and guitar work are simply outstanding.Peter, Paul and Mary may no longer be recording but a spent force they certainly are not. Their music has affected a generation of folk music fans and I'm sure their influence will continue to grow in the years to come.Am I impressed with this album? No, I'm not. I'm stunned!"

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