Pete Seeger Keeps Traditional Folks Songs Alive With New 5-Disc Set

Pete Seeger
American Favorite Ballads
Smithsonian Folkways Recordings

At the tender age of 90, Pete Seeger is enjoying a surprising career renaissance. Over the last year, the legendary folk singer and political/social activist released a new album, At 89, to critical acclaim, performed live on the “Late Sow with David Letterman” and was the subject of the heralded feature-length documentary film, “Pete Seeger: The Power of Song.”

To top it all off, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings has just compiled and released the five separate volumes of his classic American Favorite Ballads series as one comprehensive set.

Originally recorded and released through the Folkways Records label between 1957 and 1962, the 139 songs included on this collection are some of the most popular and important tunes in the American Folk tradition.

Accompanied only by guitar or banjo, Seeger offers his unique interpretations of traditional songs from a broad range of styles including cowboy ballads, southern slave spirituals, children’s activity and play songs, protest songs and murder ballads to name a few.

The amazing music contained on American Favorite Ballads is complemented nicely by the packaging. As with most releases from the Smithsonian Folkways Recordings label, each of the five volumes is accompanied by a lengthy booklet that includes detailed notes documenting the historical significance of the music.

Pete Seeger has long been known for his great love of songs and his desire to share those songs with people around the world. It is only fitting that this outstanding new collection will help keep these traditional American songs alive for generations to come.

— Greg Yost