AMG Review of Around the Campfire

Jason Ankeny
All Music Guide

Including four new tracks, the two-disc set Around the Campfire is an excellent overview of Peter, Paul & Mary's career as it nears the four-decade mark. As indicated by the title, the focus of the collection is to shine a spotlight on songs that express ideals of community, tunes commonly sung in schools and churches as well as at more intimate gatherings; toward that aim, the trio offers newly recorded renditions of such perennials as "Kumbaya," "Michael, Row the Boat Ashore," "Down by the Riverside," and "Goodnight Irene." The inclusion of such longtime favorites as "Puff (The Magic Dragon)," "If I Had a Hammer," "Blowin' in the Wind," and "Leaving on a Jet Plane" solidifies Around the Campfire as a superior retrospective of Peter, Paul & Mary's music, one particularly ideal for younger listeners.