Peggy Seeger

Peggy Seeger saw a lot of life, and made a lot of music. Her family (including much older half-brother, Pete Seeger) were musicians, and friends of musicians. She spent time in some mighty heady company, and contributed her own talents to the "scene". I will forever be grateful to her for inspiring one of my all-time favorite love songs---"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face". This autobiography reads like a ramble through her memories, and at times I got the feeling she was sliding over some of the tough bits. It also could have used a bit more editing in some places, and possibly less in others (assuming some of the things that got short shrift may have been due to the editor's discretion?). In any case, if you lived through the 1960's, or just love the music and mythos of that turbulent time, you may find this an interesting, if somewhat unsatisfying read.
Review written in March 2018… (mais)

This autobiographical memoir of folk singer Peggy Seeger offers a view of the American and British folk music world of the 1960s and later.
She led an interesting life, although many will wonder at some of her decisions, it seems to have worked out. The writing is authentic and personal if a bit choppy. There is surprisingly little about music,but lots about family (including older half-brothe Pete), other musicians and making do on little money and lots of love and energy. High marks for good stories, a bit lower for organization. Worth a read if you are at all into life stories or classic British folk music.… (mais)

First Time Ever is the autobiography of folk musician Peggy Seeger, who acted as singer, songwriter, and pioneer of the British folk revival, along with her husband, Ewan MacColl. It’s a chatty, somewhat impressionistic and disjointed but honest and revealing account that begins with her colorful family (father was a musicologist, mother was “the most significant American female composer of the twentieth century” per the Library of Congress, brothers Mike and Pete were also musicians). Her life with MacColl and their children (as well as stepdaughter Kirsty MacColl) as well as their work together are documented, as well as the subsequent years after his death, when Peggy continued as a musician on her own. I didn’t know a lot about the folk music scene of the 1960s so I enjoyed this account, particularly the musical politics, the logistics of gigs and touring, and specifics related to particular songs (MacColl wrote their biggest hit, “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” for her to sing; at that time he was married to someone else). Seeger also includes domestic details like the difficulty of making ends meet and the near-constant presence of her mother-in-law. I also enjoyed her account of making the Radio Ballads, described by the BBC as “masterpieces of radio, weaving the voices of rarely-heard communities with songs written from and about the recorded experiences of the interviewees.” At the end of the book, you feel you’ve been on the journey with her (even the harrowing parts). Those interested in Seeger and her life and music may be interested in the double CD set she released in tandem with this book, which includes 38 songs in the order they are mentioned in the memoir, available on Bandcamp.… (mais)