Peter, Paul and Mary
The legendary trio's eponymous 1962 debut produced two classics--"Lemon Tree" and Pete Seeger's "If I Had a Hammer." Because they were always hipper and more political than the Kingston Trio, Peter, Paul & Mary were soon frequently credited as the group that transformed American folk music into '60s pop. It would be another six months before they really exploded with "Puff the Magic Dragon," and then another six before they brought Bob Dylan into the mainstream via their hit covers of "Blowin' in the Wind" and "Don't Think Twice." Which is why 1970's10 Years Together: The Best of Peter, Paul and Maryremains the essential buy; nevertheless, the debut features their gorgeous covers of "Cruel War" and "Where Have All the Flowers Gone," making this disc mandatory for folk fans.--Bill Holdship