"There's something different here. Plenty that veteran campaigners will recognise, to be sure ... But "The Social Power Of Music" is not your standard issue catalogue assemblage, prosaic title notwithstanding ... It makes room not only for lesser-known singers and songs, but different reasons for singing at all ... Nothing embodies "Social Power"'s fusion like "It Isn't Nice", recorded in 1966 by blues and folk singer Barbara Dane with the soon-to-be psychedelic Chambers Brothers. The lyrics are pure protest, the vocal harmonies borrowed from church, and Malvina Reynolds' melody (...) suited for Saturday night swaying. But all of the set is people music. It's the sound of being human together: the rough spots, the rituals, the rockin' out. There are indeed familiar songs sung by unfamiliar voices - a matter of licensing, but also of purpose. When we hear "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" by the Strange Creek Singers instead of The Carter Family, or "I'll Fly Away" by Rose Maddox rather than The Chuck Wagon Gang, we're hearing shared culture. And being invited to share in".
