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Possessing the creaky voice of a little old lady and the feisty disposition of a life-long rabble-rouser, Malvina Reynolds in the twilight of her career stood as a commanding matriarch of the topical-song movement.
Ear to the Ground, which consists of 23-tracks the Berkeley, California-based broadside balladeer recorded between 1960 and her death in 1978, captures Reynolds in all her irascible glory. Best known for penning Pete Seeger's only hit ("Little Boxes," a poke at conformist housing) and the environmental lament "What Have They Done to the Rain?" (which the Searchers put on the charts), Reynolds's stuck to basic melodies that were given workmanlike arrangements. It was as a lyricist that she shined, delivering doggedly leftist screeds brightened by playful witticisms and unwavering conviction. A line from one of her late songs captures the spirit of the woman: "This old world is mean and cruel / Still I love it like a fool."
--Steven Stolder
Album Description
Malvina Reynolds, the well-known songwriter and activist for social justice and the environment, performs some of her most famous songs in this compilation of studio and live recordings from the 1960s and 1970s. Reflecting the cultural and political turmoil of the day, her powerful, sometimes somber, sometimes lighthearted songs address issues still pertinent today: environmental deterioration, women's rights, workers' rights, social justice, and the homogenization of culture. Extensive notes written by musician friend Rosalie Sorrels. Instrumentation ranges from acoustic guitar to richly orchestrated pieces with bass, drums, piano, harmonica, organ, cello, violin, steel guitar, and harp. 62 minutes, 32-page booklet.
See all 23 tracks on this disc
