Movie – Pete Seeger

Pete Seeger – The Power of Song (2007) – Documentary of the life and music of folk singer and legend Pete Seeger.

The very first record I owned was Pete Seeger.  Out of that grew a lifelong love of folk music and a belief that music can make a difference in the world.  So I was really excited when I saw this documentary on the man and his music.

It didn’t disappoint.  Seeger grew in a musical family that was also intensely counter-cultural.  It’s unsurprising that it molded a man like Seeger.  His songs were some of the biggest hits of the Folk Music revival of the 1960’s.  “Turn, Turn, Turn” went to #1 for the Byrds.  “Where Have All The Flowers Gone” and “If I Had A Hammer” were also big hits.  Seeger was also instrumental in popularizing “We Shall Overcome”.

Pete Seeger stayed an outspoken advocate for his beliefs to the end of his life.  The movie was produced seven years before his death in 2014.  It was a day of deep personal loss for me.

Pete Seeger was one of those people I had always hoped to meet, if only for a moment.

Why I Liked It – Pete and his music

Why You Will Like It – Even if you disagree with his politics, it’s hard to deny the passion he brought to life and music.

Rating – **** Recommended