Peter, Paul and Mary (live in Japan) (1967)
The group was created by producer Albert Goldman. He was trying to put together a “folk” group, bringing together "a tall blond (Travers), a funny guy (Stookey), and a good looking guy (Yarrow)".
The group was launched in 1961, booking them into the Bitter End, a coffee shop in New York City's Greenwich Village that was a favourite place to hear folk artists. The group recorded their first album, Peter, Paul and Mary, the following year. The album was listed on Billboard Magazine Top Ten list for ten months and in the top one hundred for over three years.
By 1963, they had recorded three albums, released the now-famous song "Puff the Magic Dragon," which Yarrow originally wrote in 1958, and performed another major hit, their cover of "If I Had a Hammer" at the March on Washington, best remembered for Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous speech, "I Have a Dream." For many years after, the group was at the forefront of the civil rights movement and other causes promoting social justice.
The trio broke up in 1970, following Yarrow's conviction for taking "improper liberties" with a 14 year old girl. (he was arrested and convicted for what were termed "immoral and improper liberties" with a 14-year-old girl who came to his hotel room after a concert. He served three months in jail; 11 years later he was pardoned by President Carter).
The members pursued separate solo careers, but none had a fraction of the success they did as a group. They have periodically performed together on an irregular basis since 1978 and have issued several new albums.
Nowadays they perform together again.
Here is an album that usually gets forgotten when talking about the trio’s discography.
The album was recorded in 1967 in Japan, and was only released in this country.
It shows the trio at its peak.
It shows the trio at its peak.
Have fun
I'd never heard of this one.
Thanks!
jeffen said...
June 13, 2009 2:49 AM
Thanks! A rare one indeed.
Ansina said...
June 15, 2009 10:25 PM