Peggy Seeger is now 82 years young but hasn’t lost any of her zest. Ably accompanied by her son Calum she went through a lively set full of political songs, swipes at the orange buffoon that is Trump, ecological destruction and the state of the world, along with some great playing on banjo, autoharp, squeezebox, keyboards and guitar and a smattering of old folk songs.
Peggy is sister to Mike Seeger and half brother of Pete Seeger. She was married to Ewan MacColl. That sure gives her some status. The crowd not only paid homage to one of the greats but revelled in the expertise and charm of a superb performer and great person.
That book of hers looks like a fine read.
The only other person I know who plays the autoharp like Peggy is Bev Bos, who has since passed. When I play that instrument, my songs would make Pete Seeger proud. Did you know he wrote a children’s book? Abiyoyo. It’s based on an old African folk tale. Awesome!! The audio version is narrated by James Earl Jones. Of course I read and tell the story all the time. Just thought you might like to know.
I’ve never heard Bev Bos Jennie. I also did not know you played. Excellent.
I’ll see if my wife knows of that book.
It is an oldie but goodie. Beloved in my classroom, for sure. When we host an African harvest celebration I tell the story, with all the drama and excitement. Yes, I play the autoharp. Well, enough to make music come alive for children. The #1 children’s favorite on the autoharp is “This Land is Your Land”.
That should have been the national anthem shouldn’t it. I love that song – particularly with the two verses about private property and dole queues.
That is so amazing that she can do so much at her age!
She is iconic – stretching back to the days of Woody Guthrie before Dylan and Baez. She mentioned that back in the days before they had made it they asked for her autograph. I like seeing people like her with such historic significance. She played and sang beautifully.
Wow that is incredible! Definitely worth seeing!
Yes. It gives me a thrill to see people who reach back through history to those times. It was a great evening. She was one feisty lady. Politics, the environment and such – right up my street.