Album 1700 – PETER PAUL & MARY****

Rolling Home/Leaving On A Jet Plane/Weep For Jamie/No Other Name/The House Song/The Great Mandella (The Wheel Of Life)/I Dig Rock & Roll Music/If I Had Wings/I’m In Love With A Big Blue Frog/Whatshername/Bob Dylan’s Dream/The Song Is Love

Legendary US folk trio Peter, Paul & Mary seventh studio release finds them still retaining a loyal following despite rapidly changing musical fashions. Album 1700 contains the US No. 9 hit single I Dig Rock & Roll Music. The John Denver written track Leaving On A Jet Plane would top the US singles chart in late 1969 and reach No. 2 in the UK in early 1970. (US:15)

"This album more than any other represents their 'border crossing', and it contained two of their most popular songs: a faithful rendition of John Denver's Leaving On A Jet Plane and I Dig Rock & Roll Music, a tribute to The Mamas & The Papas. Despite these two powerful hits, however, the most powerful song is the antiwar anthem The Great Mandella, a simple yet dynamic tune about the head-on collision between the World War II generation and the Boomer generation over Vietnam."

"I can't imagine listening to Peter, Paul and Mary without this album included in my collection. It is definitive of them and the group at its best. As well as great music it also has deep messages worth hearing no matter what your political views may be."

"Often considered Peter, Paul and Mary's last great album, Album 1700 did not impress me nearly as much as some of their previous works. The format is still the same; twelve mostly short folk tracks emphasizing harmony and vocal balance over instrumentation."

"There are enough pleasing vocal melodies to keep my attention but the songs are not of the quality of some previous albums, even its predecessor Album. If you are PP & M fan, you will most likely find some enjoyment here as there are two fairly good tracks and a few more average folk tracks."

"A musical masterpiece - every song on this LP is a work of professional craftsmanship. An album filled with sorrow, promises, beauty and joy. There is melody in every song which enriches the soul. Its timeless achievement inspires the mind to reflect and think. An LP created by artists whose goal was greatness even if it meant recording another person’s song."