A More Perfect Union

by Lorre Wyatt, Pete Seeger

Overview

At age 93, Pete Seeger isn't actually retiring, just slowing down a bit. He's doing fewer concerts and his voice is a bit wobbly, but his heart is still open and his mind is still sharp. If you need proof, listen to the 16 songs on this album, 15 of them newly written by Seeger and his longtime friend and collaborator Lorre Wyatt. Wyatt's in his mid-sixties, and a well-known singer/songwriter in his own right, but a severe stroke in 1996 left him unable to sing or play guitar for almost 15 years. After a long intensive recovery, he's singing and playing again and asked Seeger to collaborate with him on a songwriting project he was working on. Seeger agreed and the result is A More Perfect Union, a great album that stands as a testament to the faith and resilience of both artists. This may be the first album that Seeger's ever recorded that contains all new, all original material, and many of the tunes here are as good as anything Seeger or Wyatt has ever written or recorded. Most of the songs deal with aging and mortality, but the album is uplifting nonetheless. Both men have led full lives and they bring a lot of humor and wisdom to the songs. Musically, the album is as diverse as anything Seeger's ever cut. "God's Counting on Me...God's Counting on You" and "Wonderful Friends" are the kinds of elevating anthems Seeger has always sung, and this one should be added to his list of greatest hits. Dozens of harmony singers, including Bruce Springsteen on "God's Counting on Me...," make them sound like campfire singalongs. "Keep the Flame Alive" is a country-flavored ode to aging well that's given a poignant feel by Seeger's shaky vocals and C. Lanzbom's mournful slide guitar. Seeger sings "Strange Lullaby" solo; it's an antiwar song full of love and righteous anger. "These Days in Zimbabwe" is sung a cappella by Wyatt with Jeff Haynes providing percolating Afro-Celtic percussion that makes this gentle protest song swing. Wyatt's most famous song, and the only older tune on the album, is "Somos el Barco" (We Are the Boat), a lilting Latin-flavored waltz that features Emmylou Harris and another big singalong chorale. The set closes with two mediations on the end of life. "Fields of Harmony" is a testament to the power of music to enrich and preserve life, and Dave Eggar's cello gives the number an aching, tender feel. The loping cowboy rhythm of "Bountiful River" makes it sound like another anthem, a salute to friendship, music, and the healing power of nature with a gorgeous, timeless chorus. ~ j. poet

Product Details

Release Date:	09/25/2012
Label:	APPLESEED RECORDS
UPC:	0611587113023

Tracks

1. God¿¿¿s Counting on Me¿¿¿God¿¿¿s Counting on You
2. Old Apples
3. Keep the Flame Alive
4. Memories Out of Mud
5. A More Perfect Union
6. This Old Man Revisited
7. These Days in Zimbabwe
8. Somebody Else¿¿¿s Eye
9. Strange Lullabye
10. Somos el Barco [We Are the Boat]
11. Howling for Our Supper
12. My Neighbor¿¿¿s Needs
13. Wonderful Friends
14. A Toast to the Times
15. Fields of Harmony
16. Bountiful River

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Pete Seeger   Primary Artist,Banjo,Vocals,Guitar (12 String)
Lorre Wyatt   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals
David Bernz   Guitar (12 String),Banjo,Guitar,Vocals,Harmonica
Bianca Merkley   Vocals
Timothy Hill   Vocals
Jen Clapp   Vocals
Mark Murphy   Bass
Dave Eggar   Cello
Sue Altkin   Vocals
Rivertown Kids   Vocals
Jacob Bernz   Vocals
Melissa Ortquist   Vocals
Sarah Underhill   Vocals
Amy Vachal   Vocals
Jenny Murphy   Vocals
Story Laurie   Vocals
Adam Brzostoski   Harmonica
Chris Hughes   Trap Kit
Dave Rothenberg   Clarinet (Bass)
Dave Tarlo   Vocals
Edward Esquerre   Vocals
Eleanor Kleiner   Vocals
Eli Kleiner   Vocals
Goldee Green   Vocals
Hayden Minifield   Vocals
Ira McIntosh   Vocals
Mark Turk   Vocals
Pat Lamana   Vocals
Valerie Haynes   Vocals
Steve Earle   Vocals,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Emmylou Harris   Vocals,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Doug Weiss   Bass
Perry Robinson   Clarinet
Jeff Haynes   Drums,Vocals,Percussion
Karen Brooks   Vocals
James Durst   Vocals
Sara Milonovich   Violin
Bruce Springsteen   Vocals,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Tom Morello   Guitar,Vocals,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Paul Hanna   Vocals
C. Lanzbom   Guitar,Slide Guitar
Danny Einbender   Vocals
Dar Williams   Vocals,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Spook Handy   Vocals
Jane Kelly Williams   Vocals
Dan Fisherman   Vocals
Laurie Siegel   Vocals
Connie Taylor   Vocals
Rob Scheps   Saxophone
Bruce Taylor   Vocals
Travis Jeffrey   Vocals

Technical Credits

Adam Brzostoski   Photography
Davide Bernz   Producer
Corin Nelsen   Engineer,Editing Assistant
Lorre Wyatt   Composer
Pete Seeger   Composer
Jeff Haynes   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
C. Lanzbom   Mixing,Engineer,Editing Assistant
David Glasser   Mastering
Jim Musselman   Producer,Liner Notes
David Bernz   Mixing,Cover Photo,Liner Notes,Photography