Banks of Marble

Pete Seeger (1919–2014) had a long and productive career as a folksinger and social activist—he was a giant of our time. And overall, he appears on an astonishing total of 123 Smithsonian Folkways recordings.

This recording might be described as an experiment. Seeger linked up with musically astute Fred Hellerman (a former colleague in the Weavers) to explore the use of multitrack recording using Hellerman’s eight-track tape recorder. The rich, multilayered sound not usually heard on Seeger’s other recordings comes from several tracks played simultaneously. Seeger gives Hellerman credit: “If the record is good, large credit should go to Fred, who mixed the masters, had suggestions on songs and arrangements, and filled in here and there with accompaniment.” Other friends and relatives also join in.

The songs selected are quite varied; as Seeger says, “The songs are a funny combination of ones I’ve known all my life, ones I’ve picked up on travels and ones I’ve put together during the past few years.”

The recording is in stereo. Liner notes describe the background of the recording and provide the song lyrics.

Track Listing

101	Yodel / Don’t Ask What a River Is For	Pete Seeger	03:05
102	God Bless the Grass	Pete Seeger	02:05
103	Joy and Temperance	Pete Seeger	01:15
104	The Young Woman Who Swallowed a Lie	Pete Seeger	03:31
105	Two Chinese Songs: Three Rules of Discipline and Eight Rules of Attention / White Haired Girl	Pete Seeger	03:26
106	Estadio Chile	Pete Seeger	02:51
107	Well May the World Go	Pete Seeger	02:43
201	Banks of Marble	Pete Seeger	04:20
202	This Is a Land	Pete Seeger	01:11
203	Garbage	Pete Seeger	02:57
204	My Father's Mansions	Pete Seeger	02:09
205	Precious Friend	Pete Seeger	02:22
206	Pigtown Fling	Pete Seeger	01:26
207	Quite Early Morning	Pete Seeger	04:15