From Kim Ruehl,
Your Guide to Folk Music.
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The Power of Song will air Feb. 27 on PBS' American Masters Series.

This moving documentary starts out with Pete Seeger doing what he does best: standing on a stage, singing (in this case, "Jacob's Ladder"), encouraging the crowd to sing along with him. By the end of the opening scene, the crowd's chorus is so big and loud, it overwhelms Seeger's voice, as he moves away from the mic a bit and lets them drown him out.

Pete Seeger's Life Story

Through interviews with artists ranging from Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul and Mary) to Bruce Springsteen, Joan Baez and Bob Dylan to Natalie Maines (the Dixie Chicks), The Power of Song not only introduces the viewer to the life and work of Pete Seeger. It also proves the value of his work.

Most moving, though, are the moments when Seeger is allowed to tell his own story. Peppered at turns by interjections from his wife, Toshi, his son Dan, his brother and sister, his children and grandchildren, the story, in itself is moving. He talks about his life story, but he also talks about how important it is to him to get an audience singing along. "I guess it’s kind of a religion with me," he says toward the middle of the film. "Participation: that’s what’s going to save the human race."

History Through Music

Pete Seeger, as his fans may or may not know, is the son of musicians. His father was a scholar and one of the early musicologists. Pete grew up with a thirst and love for music, but even moreso a sense of the importance of bringing the people's music to the world.

The film follows his career through history. Indeed, his career has forged its own path and has, at other moments, encouraged history itself to progress.

It's the history of not only a man, but a nation, as it has moved through wars and human rights struggles, and as it has struggled with its own natural environment. It's also the history of one of America's greatest patriots, who ends the film singing with Ani DiFranco—one of the younger generation's most ardent activist folksingers—"Bring 'em Home." It's an unfortunate reprise of a time earlier in his life, when he wrote the song for the soldiers in the Vietnam War. Nonetheless, never tiring of the quest for peace, Seeger still stands on the road holding signs, working toward that goal.

The Power of Community

There is nothing about Pete Seeger that doesn't stand for community. He has, somehow, understood and made understood the basic fact that every voice is important in every chorus. It is his sheer skill of rousing a room full of strangers into one harmonious refrain that has propelled his career and inspired those around him to do the same.

There's a touching moment toward the end of the film: Seeger is pictured standing next to then President Bill Clinton, receiving an award at the Kennedy Center for his life's work. Soon, the whole room is singing in concert, "Turn Turn Turn." Here is the government and an American establishment paying homage to a man whom it had, 30 years before, tried to shame into an early retirement.

The Bottom Line

In addition to telling Seeger's story, The Power of Song accomplishes several other feats. It's an excellent testament to the mind-changing ability of music, particularly folk music. It deals directly with what happens when strangers come together to sing.

But, also, there is great footage here from Seeger's early career, footage of Woody Guthrie with Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee. There's Johnny Cash and Pete Seeger talking about daring to sing protest songs on television. There's Peter, Paul and Mary recording "If I Had a Hammer." There's Bob Dylan with Joan Baez and others at Newport Folk Festival singing "Blowin' in the Wind." There's Paul Robeson performing in Peekskill, NY, and Seeger himself organizing African-Americans in the south. There's footage he shot on his year-long trip around the world, when he went in search of other forms of folk music and dance.

In other words, not only is The Power of Song an exquisite tribute to one of America's greatest patriots and folksingers, it also pays great tribute to the history of American folk music, the communities it has inspired, and the world it has changed.

Pete Seeger: The Power of Song airs on PBS American Masters Series on Feb. 27, 2008.