12AngryMen #3 (alternativesoundtrack #6)
(Pete Seeger - John Henry)
day 6, the invisible votes have been cast...and here comes the verdict.
the music is a 1957 piece from an important and highly influential cat in the development of 'popular' music who is still performing at the ripe old age of 89. A man who walked it like he talked it, Seeger was, and still is, an Activist with a capital A, who shares themusicologist's belief that music and song is a most powerful force for change.
Alone among the many witnesses after the 1950 conviction and imprisonment of the Hollywood Ten for contempt of court, Seeger refused to plead the Fifth Amendment (which asserted that his testimony might be self incriminating) and instead (as the Hollywood Ten had done) refused to name personal and political associations on the grounds that this would violate his First Ammendment rights:
"I am not going to answer any questions as to my association, my philosophical or religious beliefs or my political beliefs, or how I voted in any election, or any of these private affairs. I think these are very improper questions for any American to be asked, especially under such compulsion as this."
The man's refusal to testify led to a 1957 indictment for contempt of Congress and for years he had to keep the federal government apprised of where he was going any time he left the Southern District of New York.
Finally sentenced, (by Jury Trial), to a 10 Stretch in 1961, for whatever they could hang on him, this was overturned a year later in '62 for being 'seriously flawed'
Not trying to style it that I'm a long time fan of the man and his music..in fact that's one of the things that themusicologist provides, an opportunity for me to explore genres and styles that I am unfamiliar with.
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