Woody Guthrie - The Asch Recordings, Vol. 1-4
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Free Music Notes for The Asch Recordings, Vol. 1-4
Free Music Review: The Root Of All Is Woody
Hit: 5 Stars
Woody Guthrie-The Asch Recordings, Vols 1-4Try naming just one singer/songwriter who doesn't owe something to the dusty little guy with the fascist killing guitar. You'll die trying. As the first comprehensive Woody Guthrie collection ever assembled, `The Asch Recordings, Vols 1-4' painstakingly collects all the known songs Woody recorded for visionary Moses Asch's Folkways label. Primarily recorded while on shore leave from the Merchant Marines in 1944, the keen observations of this tireless traveler are laid down as the talking blues, topical songs, gospel, traditional and children's songs that Guthrie's in-exhaustible spirit always seemed to be writing or singing. Program this set on full random and listen as the mottled history of the 1900's vibrantly comes to life through the simple hobo poetry of this "great historical bum".'`Deportee', `Pastures Of Plenty', `Do-Re-Mi', ("If you ain't got the do-re-mi boys, if you ain't got the do-re- mi"). "They say America first but they mean America next" Woody recites in `Lindbergh' an informed, bitingly off the cuff, truer than today's headlines commentary that's only Track 6 of the 105 songs gathered here. `The world is diggin' Hitler's grave and that'll be the greatest thing that man has ever done'. . .Can you imagine how the lawyer's would heatedly huddle if that one got by the censors today? `Volume 1' presents us with many of Woody's best-loved originals, including `Hobo's Lullabye' `Jesus Christ' and `Philadelphia Lawyer'. The 25 tracks on `Volume 2' concentrate more on the traditional folk canon recorded with Cisco Houston: `Bed On The Floor', `'Keep My Skillet Good and Greasy', `Muleskinner Blues' and `Stackolee'. `Volume 3' focuses on the topical songs espousing union membership, the war effort, labor strife, and the woes of the Depression and those souls fleeing the Dust Bowl: `Hard Travelin'`, Miner's Song', `I Ain't Got No Home', `Vigilante Man', `Talking Columbia' and `Sally Don't You Grieve'. `Volume 4' traces Woody's western themes and Oklahoma roots, featuring six previously unreleased songs and more duets with Cisco Houston: the wise `Pretty Boy Floyd', `Froggy' Went A-Courtin'`, `Poor Lazarus', and `Stewball'(with Houston and Lead Belly). These songs all sound familiar because they are that seminal to our perception of our country, and in turn, ourselves. We've heard the strains of these songs in our nightmares (`Hard, Ain't It Hard') and daydreams (`This Land Is Your Land'); our churches and classrooms (`Car Song', `Why Oh Why?'); parties (`So Long, It's Been Good To Know Ya'), weddings and funerals. Those who haven't paid attention have become the bane of any civilized society, namely, politicians, admen, and Wall Street watchers. Those who have only half listened have only half a chance. Those of us who have, or who take the opportunity now by listening to the brilliant documentation of `The Asch Recordings, Vol. 1-4', can only go forth and educate our errant brethren.
Free Music Review: This land was made for you and me.
Hit: 5 Stars
Woody wrote "This Land is Your Land" on 23 February 1940.It is his best known song and one of the most widely sung songs in the United States.Woody's stated reason for writing it is possibly open to criticism--he said he was tired of hearing Kate Smith,one of the nation's most popular singers during the 1930's,sing "God Bless America".So he voiced a different perspective on the United States,ending each verse with "God blessed America for me".Later he changed the last line to "This land was made for you and me".
Woody wrote six verses,of which two were about Great Depression
experiences and were not heard when the song was first issued in 1951.
They were:
Was a big high wall there that tried to stop me
A sign was painted said:Private Property
But on the back side it didn't say nothing-
God blessed America for me.
One bright sunny morning in the shadow of the steeple
By the Relief Office I saw my people-
As they stood hungry,I stood there wondering if
God blessed America for me.
A seventh verse was added in 1945;the verse is:
Nobody living can ever stop me
As I go walking my freedom highway
Nobody living can make me turn back
This land was made for you and me.
This set of four discs contains 105 of Woody's songs.Each disc is accompained by a 36 page booklet giving all sorts of information and background on the songs and the people Woody worked with.There are many super photos of Woody and others.As an example,one of Woody,Fred Hellerman,Jean Richie and Pete Seeger in the recording studio.Then,how about one of Woody,'s pen and ink drawings from April 23,1946;"Hang down my head and cry".
This fantastic recording was put together by Smithonian Folkways Recordings and no matter how much you try you won't find anything else that comes close to it.
What's your favorite Woody song?
Hobo's Lullaby
Hard,Ain't it Hard
Picture from life's other Side
Going Down the Road Feeling Bad
Worried Man Blues
I Ain't Got No Home in this World Anymore
Pretty Boy Floyd
Blowing Down that Old Dusty Road
Whatever it is,You'll find it here in this collection.
If you like Folk music,and Woody in particular,this is for you.If you have a friend who knows some of Woody's songs,this will make a gift that will be highly treasured.
By the way,if you get it ,never lend it;you'll never see it again!!!
Free Music Review: This land is our land
Hit: 5 Stars
In the aftermath of the unspeakable tragedies of Tuesday September 11th a great nation grieves. We need to draw comfort and strength from whatever sources we can. I have found both comfort and strength listening to Woody Guthrie, an American who loved his land and it's people, who preached tolerance as well as an unshakeable belief in standing up for justice. As we mourn we'll all choose the music we mourn to. My children and I are listening to these recordings.Someday I'll again be able to enjoy these songs for what they really are ; a celebration of America good and bad, flawed but trying to be the best. Woody wrote about Americans staying tough through the worst of times, and his optimism helps me in these dark days. Bless this country. No other could have produced a man such as this. Newcomers to Woodymania may find this comprehensive four volume set a tad overwhelming and, for them, it might be a good idea to start with one of the smaller Folkways collections like Dust Bowl Ballads. For the Guthrie veteran however, this collection is a treasure. Moe Asch kept the tapes turning anytime Woody was in the building so the quality ranges wildly, but there's not one song here that a true Guthrie fan wouldn't want to hear again. Thank you Woody for helpin' me and mine through some tough times.Free Music Review: America in a boxed set
Hit: 5 Stars
I chose this boxed set over the Library of Congress Collection because the latter did not list "This Land is Your Land." The re-mastered recordings are of good quality and the collection is comprehensive. Each of the four CDs contains a booklet of information about the songs and surrounding events.
The real motivation to own this set is, of course, Woody's songs. Using familiar melodies combined with wry narratives and heart-breaking stories, Woody paints a portrait of America from the turn of the century, through the depression and dust bowl years, to WWII and after. The songs are haunting while being deceptively complex and simple at the same time. In this collection, the gravity of his more serious work is artfully countered by his very funny narrative and nonsense songs (one of my favorites in the latter category is "Mean Talking Blues"). Folk music aficionados or not, this collection will contain that will touch everyone's heart.
A final note: Woody Guthrie is perhaps one of the most under-rated guitar players in the genre. The recordings don't do justice to the subtly of his picking style. The same can be said of his abilities with the harmonica.
Free Music Review: Essential Listening
Hit: 5 Stars
Woody Guthrie is not only one the greatest American songwriters ever, but one of the most influential. His simple, yet emotionally complex songs have touched almost every facet of American Music, from the protest songs of the 1960's, to country music. This is by far the best way to become familiar with Woody because it covers so much. Which is also its only problem: there is so much music (near 30 songs on each of the four CDs at almost 75 minutes a piece), it can be tough listening. But that is only a minor quibble because it is far better to feel overwhelmed by Woody's genius than feel cheated. The sound quality is almost flawless, and the liner notes are amazing reading explaining each song in detail (which is great when the songs are about historical events that most listeners will not be familiar with). Anyone serious about American music or history (Woody's songs are more informative, and more pleasant than most history books) should buy this set immediately.