OntheWilderSide

KW: Some emotional confusion–I don’t know if I am teary eyed because Mary Travers died, or because the ending of Puff the Magic Dragon got to me. Though, I know, either way, it is to the credit of a beautiful woman, her craft, and her commitment to love, peace, joy and struggle.

(excerpt from) New York Times
Mary Travers Of Peter, Paul and Mary Dies

Mary Travers, whose ringing, earnest vocals with the folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary made songs like “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “If I Had a Hammer” and “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” enduring anthems of the 1960s protest movement, died Wednesday night in Danbury Hospital in Connecticut. She was 72 and had lived in Redding, Conn…

An archival youtube “If I Had a Hammer” and comments by Pete Seeger:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UKvpONl3No]

more videos at the read more…
Mama Cass, Mary Travers & Joni Mitchell sing “I Shall Be Released”:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aYAUE6is7I]

Mary Travers (solo) sings “When I Die…”:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCob_153AjA]

Peter Paul & Mary – June, 2007 in concert at “The Orleans” Casino Showroom in Las Vegas Nevada. (Fan video, the sound is not great. Though, it is recent and has excerpts from several great songs.) It also shows Mary’s wonderful spirit, with the big bow at the end.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGLfIoNAsso]

Powerful audio with a still photo: Joan Baez and Mary Travers team up to sing “Lonesome Valley” live at the 1966 Newport Folk Festival. Includes a verse to “join the union” and “join the pickets.” (The audience response to this is fabulous! People are passionately shouting, more! more! more!)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pt64OQETmO0]

Peter Yarrow comments on Mary’s health August 2009 (Also, great comments on the enduring nature of folk music):

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pdWCx6wwRQ]

“Puff the Magic Dragon” performed by Peter, Paul and Mary” (mid career)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OiOlnoyljk]

“Puff the Magic Dragon” 1966

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wik2uc69WbU]

Filed under: activism, Anti-War, music, News, Peace, politics, progressive politics, social & economic justice, US Politics, video Tagged: | folk, folk music, If I Had a Hammer, Joni Mitchell, Mama Cass, Mary Travers, music, Pete Seeger, Peter Paul and Mary, Puff the Magic Dragon, video