The Weavers

Thanks Almarg. Good stuff. Another group I also enjoy is the Kingston Trio.

Marq,

Good call on The Kingston Trio. IMHO, they might be the clearest example of how this genre really morphed into the mainstream pop music of the '60s.

They were hugely popular, and I know that Martin Guitars considered them critical to the company's success and credits The Kingston Trio with helping fuel the guitar boom of the time. When John Stewart replaced Dave Guard in the mid/late '60's, their music started to morph toward more mainstream pop. Stewart later left the band and released one of my favorite records of the '70's "Gold".

Marty

To Marqmike - add The Mommas & The Poppas to the list (or however you spell 'em).

Mrs. Weaver. All of them.

Although I happen to not be a Weavers fan, I would call this review of the original "Weavers at Carnegie Hall" album (not the "Reunion" album) to the attention of those who have offered sarcastic comments. It was written by a noted popular music critic and journalist. Some excerpts:

... on Christmas Eve [1955], the Weavers played a sold-out concert at Carnegie Hall, initiating the second phase of their career and, in the eyes of most observers, inspiring the folk revival that led to the popularity of such performers as the Kingston Trio, Joan Baez, Peter, Paul & Mary, and Bob Dylan.... It's easy to hear what all the fuss was about, and not just because of the thunderous applause....

It's easy to hear both the sources of the folk revival in the music of Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly, African-American spirituals, and international folk songs, and the future of folk-pop music as it would be enacted by the Weavers' successors in this show, which is what makes The Weavers at Carnegie Hall a key recording in the history of American folk music, as well as a singularly enjoyable live performance by a remarkably talented quartet.

Regards,
-- Al