Here’s a look at some of the magnificent recordings that have been released through the years, featuring other notable artists performing their selections from Pete Seeger’s timeless canon of work. Some of these songs can be found on the tribute CDs: Where Have All the Flowers Gone: the Songs of Pete Seeger (Appleseed, 1998), If I Had a Song: The Songs of Pete Seeger, Vol. 2 (Appleseed, 2001), and Seeds: The Songs of Pete Seeger, Vol. 3 (Appleseed, 2003).
“If I Had a Hammer” – The Neville Brothers
The soul-singing group of brothers from Louisiana did a booty-shaking version of this classic, quintessential Seeger song on their album, Valence Street (Columbia, 1999).
“Turn, Turn, Turn” – The Byrds
Pete borrowed the lyrics to this song from a passage from Ecclesiastes, in the Bible. The Byrds popularized the tune in 1965.
“Where Have All the Flowers Gone” – Earth Wind and Fire
Peter Paul & Mary popularized this protest song in the sixties, but this version by 70s funk masters Earth Wind and Fire put a completely different spin on Seeger’s timeless classic.
“One Grain of Sand” – Odetta
This is one of Pete's most lovely children's songs, which was covered in an incredibly haunting way by Odetta on her album by the same name.
“Oh Had I A Golden Thread” – Judy Collins
One of Pete's loveliest songs about peace, Judy Collins made an intoxicating version for The Songs of Pete Seeger.
“My Name is Liza Kalvelage” – Ani DiFranco
This great tune about a mother who demonstrates for peace was pulled out for the tribute album Where Have All the Flowers Gone by folk-rock troubadour Ani DiFranco.
“The Emperor is Naked Today-O” – Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer
This simple, intoxicating Celtic folk tune was done by the late Dave Carter and his partner Tracy Grammer, for the If I Had a Song tribute CD.
“Who Killed Norma Jean” – Janis Ian
Janis gave this sad song an even sadder sound with typical folk elan when she covered it for a Pete Seeger tribute album.
“If I Had a Hammer” – Leonard Nimoy
I’m not kidding. This fantastic version of one of Pete's most popular tunes was recorded by Nimoy for his album with fellow Trekkie William Shatner.
