A Proper Introduction to Woody Guthrie: This Land Is Your Land

• Artist: Woody Guthrie
• Rating:
• Release Date: October 05, 2004
• Type: Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Folk

Review

There are countless Woody Guthrie compilations on the market, most of which draw on either his early-'40s recordings for Alan Lomax or the Moe Asch recordings from later in the decade. In Guthrie's case, it hardly makes a difference, since his approach and sound are the same in both instances, a mix of traditional folk songs with poignant originals based in turn on traditional melodies, a situation that gives Guthrie's work a remarkably consistent tone, and one that gives his original material the feel of having been around for generations. A case could be made that Guthrie was the first true postmodern American songwriter, since he consciously took folk melodies from the past and updated them with new focus and gave them fresh and often distinctly political agendas. This collection includes some of Guthrie's best re-created folk masterpieces like "Grand Coulee Dam," "Pretty Boy Floyd," "I Ain't Got No Home," the two-part "Tom Joad," "Vigilante Man," and "Philadelphia Lawyer," and combines them with Guthrie's interpretations of actual folk songs like "Keep My Skillet Good and Greasy," "Stewball," and "Stackolee," to make (as the title says) a proper introduction to this important American artist. There is a lot more to Guthrie's work than this, though, including his charming children's material, so listeners may want to go directly to the Lomax and Asch sessions, both of which are available in several different packages. ~ Steve Leggett, Rovi

Previous:	A Proper Introduction to Webb Pierce: Groovie Boogie Woogie Boy (2004 Album by Webb Pierce)
Next:	A Proper Introduction to Wynton Kelly: First Session (2004 Album by Wynton Kelly)