PETE SEEGER: If I Had A Song – The Songs Of Pete Seeger, Vol. 2 Appleseed Recordings

If I Had a Song is the second volume of Pete Seeger’s original or adapted compositions that were recorded, with rare exception, exclusively for Appleseed by many of his fellow musicians. The first volume, the award-winning 2-CD Where Have All the Flowers Gone set released in 1998, contained new recordings by Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne & Bonnie Raitt, Roger McGuinn, Nanci Griffith, Judy Collins, Ani DiFranco, actor-director Tim Robbins and many other musicians and creative artists.

The sixteen selections on If I Had a Song extend the engagingly diverse guest list and wide range of song topics presented on the first volume. A few artists reappear with new contributions (Jackson Browne, this time teamed with Joan Baez for a gorgeous version of “Guantanamera”; Billy Bragg with Eliza Carthy; Kim & Reggie Harris and Magpie), but there are plenty of additional and varied voices represented (as well as Pete’s own, on five selections). Traditional “folkies” and protest singers (Arlo Guthrie, John McCutcheon, Larry Long, Guardabarranco), singer-songwriters (Eric Andersen, Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer, Dar Williams & Toshi Reagon, John Wesley Harding, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Joel Rafael ), alt.country stars (Steve Earle), pop-rockers (Moxy Früvous), and bluesmen (Corey Harris) all pay their respects to the 82-year-old Pete with imaginative arrangements and song choices. Earle’s grim version of “Walking Down Death Row” has subsequently been used by several organizations opposing the death penalty.

There are songs here that were never previously recorded, and many others that have yet to be reissued on any of Pete’s CDs, only appearing once on long-vanished Seeger LPs. One of the two collaborations between Arlo Guthrie and Pete on If I Had a Song, “66 Highway Blues,” is the first recording of one of the rare co-writing efforts by Seeger and Arlo’s father, Woody Guthrie.

Virtually all of the artists invited to participate in our three-volume tribute to Pete’s songs enthusiastically accepted. Their contributions were recorded in studios across the United States, in Canada, England, Nicaragua, Norway and elsewhere, mirroring Pete’s worldwide impact.

1 Guantanamera – Jackson Browne & Joan Baez – Joan Baez
2 If I Had a Hammer – Billy Bragg with Eliza Carthy – Billy Bragg
3 Words, Words, Words – John Wesley Harding & The Minus 5 – John Wesley Harding
4 Walking Down Death Row – Steve Earle – Steve Earle
5 Oh, I Had a Golden Thread – Dar Williams & Toshi Reagon – Dar Williams
6 66 Highway Blues – Arlo Guthrie & Pete Seeger – Arlo Guthrie/Pete Seeger
7 Talking Union – John McCutcheon & Corey Harris – John McCutcheon
8 Maple Syrup Time – Moxy Fruvous – Moxy Fruvous
9 Snow, Snow – Eric Andersen
10 Little Boxes (Petites Boites) – Kate & Anna McGarrigle – Kate & Anna McGarrigle
11 Last Train to Nuremberg – Joel Rafael Band – Joel Rafael Band
12 You’ll Sing to Me Too – Guardabarranco – Guardabarranco
13 This Old Car – Pete Seeger & Arlo Guthrie – Pete Seeger
14 Old Devil Time – Kim & Reggie Harris with Magpie – Magpie
15 The Emperor Is Naked Today O – Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer – Dave Carter
16 Well May the World Go – Larry Long & Pete Seeger – Pete Seeger