The Solo Recordings (1971-1972)

This album of Mary's was seminal for me as a teen. I wore it out, playing it. Praise be for digital replacements! These folks never stopped singing their hearts' music. People should listen - we need it more than ever now.

I just have to say they had such a beautiful sound together. I never knew Peter made an album by himself. I knew Noel Paul did from the album with the wedding song which was gorgeous. But the one that really did okay by herself was Mary with 5 albums and yes I still have the vinyl and of many others. I am just so glad they came back together for the Reunion album and also the Carry It On which I was finally able to see them in concert as they were the group that gave me a sense of harmony, stand up for what you believe, and music truly is the universal language, so keep on singing and listening and experiencing.

In the movies, they're called sleepers - a really good production that does not garner the attention of the more commercially successful ventures. Peter, Paul, and Mary came out with their own albums in the early 70's, and like the music of the trio combined, these individual albums spoke to my heart and soul. I am so happy to have found the music here. Rating each of the 3 in order of my own personal preferences would be just as the name of the trio is listed. I love this music, I am forever blessed that God gave these three individuals the talent He did. Mary has left us, but if Peter and Paul were to read this, I could not express my gratitude enough with a mere thank-you.

For anyone who is a true fan of "folk music", this is a must have CD. In light of the recent passing of Mary Travers, please take the time to listen carefully to her music. In it you will discover how her words and music touch your heart and soul. She will be sadly missed, but always remembered. I owned her album and played it constantly while serving in the Army in 1972. I still play her songs today. God bless you Mary, and thank you for sharing your talent and your soul.

These were the first solo releases by each of the trio--though Mary's second solo record, _Morning Glory_ (probably her best solo release) came out before _Peter_. I think _Paul And_ is the best record that any of them ever did, and that _Peter_ is close. And I'm including the trio work. But _Paul And_ is one of those albums that you have to listen to a number of times and have it grow on you. Besides his gorgeous voice (I think he had the best one, and it's the one that's lasted best, by the way), he certainly was the most ambitious in his writing and arrangements, and this was a marvelous demonstration. He said in a solo concert a couple of years later that Warner had refused to release the follow-up record, but eventually they did release a live concert record, _One Night Stand_ which is one of the weakest releases any of them ever managed, in my opinion. His single, "Wedding Song," was the biggest solo hit from any of them, though I'm surprised by that as I'm pretty sure that Mary's "Follow Me," was a bigger hit in the Minnesota market, and I hadn't realized how low it peaked on the charts nationally. Any how, if you like Paul's later work in the trio, especially on _Late Again_ and _Album_ and _1700_, try this. Meanwhile, Mary's release was about what you'd expect, and I especially liked her spoken poem "Erika" about her daughter, and covers of Denver's "Rhymes & Reasons" and "On the Path of Glory" by Petula Clark, as well as her minor hit. I think her next three solo records were overall better than this one, and I wish they'd release those in a package like this. Then there's _Peter_. I don't know why this wasn't a bigger hit, and he didn't manage any hit single, though I remember ads on the radio promoting "Don't Ever Take Away My Freedom," but "River of Jordan" and "Weave Me the Sunshine" are equally fine, and both were later rerecorded by the trio. But this album is kind of a distillation of Peter, and it's lovely, with fine songs like "Goodbye Josh," "Wings of Time," and the stark "Greenwood," and I love his take on the traditional "Beautiful City." I don't think it seems overall like a continuation in the same way of his work on the later PPM albums, but it seems to be the essence of Peter, somehow, and it must have been hard to have it not be better received. His next album was really interesting, but no where as successful, and his third and fourth were much less happy or memorable. And if you saw him in the Peter Yarrow Band on the Midnight Special screeching "lay your self across my big brass bed" a few years later (not the Dylan song) you would've been convinced that he'd lost his musical way and mind. This price on these records is a terrific deal, buy these recordings.

Oh...My....God.... I have been waiting to replace these recordings by Mary Travers since my 8-track tape of her solo album bit the dust 30 years ago.

I having waiting for this reissue since my LP wore out. Great, especially "Mary".

Very good album filled with memories of a gentler time. Well worth the money.

This is really groovy for sure! Check it out.