The Newport Folk Festival was created in 1959 in Newport, Rhode Island as a response to the rising prominence of folk music in America. In 1961, one of the great groups of the genre was formed when Peter Yarrow, Noel Paul Stookey, and Mary Travers lifted their voices in song as Peter, Paul and Mary. The trio frequently took the stage at Newport with many of their classic songs, and now, Shout! Factory is collecting eighteen such performances on a new set coming to CD, DVD, and digital formats tomorrow, August 16.
Peter, Paul And Mary At Newport 1963-65 highlights the legendary songs which not only established Peter, Paul and Mary but contributed mightily to the crossover success of folk including Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind" and "The Times They Are A-Changin', Pete Seeger's "If I Had a Hammer," and their own "Puff, the Magic Dragon." This archival treasure trove features numerous performances never seen on television and captures the trio's youthful enthusiasm and connection with the audience. Guests include Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, Odetta, and Theodore Bikel. The DVD includes two additional songs ("Go Tell It on the Mountain" and an early version of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face") and a period interview with Peter Yarrow.
Peter writes in his new liner notes, "For Peter, Paul and Mary, performing at Newport in the early sixties was akin to seeing our hopes and dreams crystallize in microcosm. For a few days, Newport became a place of exceptional good will and commonality, a way of life that we urgently hoped, one day, might become the reality for the world. The sense of progress and positive change that surrounded us was inspiring us all, performers and audience alike, to new levels of optimism even as it strengthened our determination to work towards a more just and peaceful society and world."
While Mary Travers passed away in 2009, Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey continue to share the group's music on stages across the country. The duo is touring, individually and collectively, throughout 2019. Their tour dates are available here. Peter, Paul and Mary at Newport 1963-65 is due tomorrow, August 16, from Shout! Factory. You'll find the track listing and pre-order links below.
Peter, Paul and Mary at Newport 1963-65 (Shout! Factory, 2019)
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
- If I Had a Hammer
- San Francisco Bay Blues
- Wasn't That a Time
- Because All Men Are Brothers
- If I Had My Way
- Jesus Met the Woman at the Well
- Rising of the Moon
- Puff, the Magic Dragon - Peter Yarrow
- Miner's Lifeguard - Mary Travers with Joan Baez, Ronnie Gilbert, Peter Yarrow and Others
- Blowin' in the Wind
- When the Ship Comes In
- Tryin' to Win
- Hangman
- Go Tell Aunt Rhody - Peter Yarrow with Joan Baez
- Betty & Dupree
- Early in the Morning
- The Times They Are A-Changin'
- Credits/Come Go with Me to That Land - Ensemble Led by Odetta with Joan Baez, Theodore Bikel, Pete Seeger and Others
DVD Special Features:
- Extra Tracks "Tell It on the Mountain" and "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"
- Interview with Peter Yarrow at Newport (1963)
John says
This isn't the PBS doc that aired last fall? The dvd and cd were offered for sale during PBS station fund raisers for the usual inflated prices.
Joe Marchese says
Hi John, yes, this is a commercial release of that material (rather than a PBS pledge exclusive).
Pat says
A Shout! Factory CD release? Wow, it's been a while.