Skip to main content

Banks of Marble

Pete Seeger
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

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