Friday, February 29, 2008

Pete Seeger

Seeger with Arlo Guthrie.

Seeger was practicing "the audacity of hope" long before Obama was even born. Here is a national treasure, perhaps the most optimistic artist in our history. "The Power of Song," aptly titled, is the American Masters feature on him on public television, which aired here last night. Nothing startling or new in it if you know about Seeger but an important and moving reminder nonetheless. My own disposition is far less optimistic about almost everything but it's good to have these folks, these true believers, around. If they're right, and I'm wrong, the world will be a better place.

In high school, I taught myself banjo with his instruction book.

Pete Seeger Timeline.

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