Belated birthday greetings to Peggy Seeger, who celebrated her 80th birthday yesterday (17th June). Seeger's solo gig in Sixmilebridge, Co Clare was top pick of 2011 gigs. To celebrate, the folk queen has taken to the road with her two sons and I caught the trio at the Capstone Theatre , Liverpool with my son in a terrfic evening of wit wisdom and great songs
Old songs, new songs-Songs and poems about love and loss, political songs, lullabies, comic songs- There was such a breadth of moods and styles in the set , all punctauted by whimsical snippets from Peggy's folder of clippings. There was the odd singalong chorus, Pete Seeger style. Whatever she sang, Seeger sparkled and that wasn't down just to her irridescent eye make up.
The two lads added blokey self deprecating banter that never felt forced or contrived and sophisticated arrangements on a array of instruments including one I have never seen or heard before. Neill MacColl used two short bows to play a psaltery, a small harp like instrument. We had a tune from Playford's dance collection. The humble melodica appeared briefly in Calum's arsenal.
Most of the new songs are on Seeger's excellent new album, Everything Changes. We loved the wit and humour of Peter Berryman's Do You Be;ieve in Me . Seeger's own songs When Fairy Stories End and Everything Changes offered more contemplative musical comment on life.
Seeger has had a lot of ill health recently and it was great to see her in such exuberant form. There wa s sense of an artist savouring every moment. Bravo Peggy Seeger. You're a 'helluv an angel'. We were so lucky to be there.
Seven dates left on the tour Details here https://www.ents24.com/uk/tour-dates/peggy-seeger
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| Seeger family Guardian pic |
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/aug/24/peggy-seeger-voice-of-experience
Album Review Everything Changes Guardian
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