The Weavers - The Best Of The Weavers (1959)

The Weavers - comprised of Pete Seeger, Lee Hays, Fred Hellerman and Ronnie Gilbert - were the most important group of the folk revival. They helped invent hootenany culture, and charged it with a political urgency. They sang everything: Maoist anthems, civil rights hymns, even children's songs like "If I Had a Hammer."

The Decca recordings are historic but not always indicative of the Weavers art. "Goodnight Irene" ia given more production than suited the quartet's ethos, even if those songs would help change America forever.

The recording career ofthe Weavers falls into two categories: pre-blacklist and post-blacklist. In their pre-blacklist days, they recorded for Decca, and their adaptations of folk songs were backed by orchestras and choruses. Frequently, these songs (notably "Goodnight Irene"), were giant pop hits.

Tracklist:

Side 1:
1. Goodnight Irene
2. Kisses Sweeter Than Wine
3. So Long (It's Been Good to Know Yuh)
4. Old Paint (Ride Along Little Dogies)
5. Around the Corner (Beneath the Berry Tree)
6. Wimoweh

Side 2:
1. On Top of Old Smokey
2. The Wreck of the John B
3. Midnight Special
4. The Roving Kind
5. Lonesome Traveler
6. When the Saints Go Marching In

The Weavers - The Best Of The Weavers (1959)
(192 kbps, front cover included)