Woody Guthrie (1912-1967)

Following yesterday's Roscoe Holcomb post my mind was inevitable led to another giant of American folk music who was born 100 years ago this year: Woody Guthrie. So much has been said and written about Guthrie's influence on the folk revival (and 20th Century folk and pop culture in general) that it hardly needs repeating here. I found my way to Woody the way that most people since the 60's have - via Bob Dylan. Listening to the directness, honesty, truth and poetry of his songs, sung in his dry Oklahoman voice, filled with passion and wit, inspired me, as a young man, to both sing and become politically active. Woody Guthrie was like punk rock - get out there and do it! Everything felt possible. Reading his fabulous book, Bound For Glory, and Joe Klein's excellent biography, one learns that Guthrie, along with so many of his contemporaries, suffered great hardship but he always believed in the power of the human spirit to overcome darkness. This is not to say he was perfect: like many of us,  he was a  very flawed individual who made life difficult for family and friends alike - but when you get to his art, the light shines through.  Below are some Woody related treats. Please enjoy



There are only a bare handful of film clips of Woody Guthrie. This one (above) includes a rollicking performance of 'John Henry' in the company of Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee.



I Ain't Got No Home

Singers and musicians have been recording and reinterpreting Woody Guthrie's songs for many years: Dylan famously based his entire early career on Woody and so many others, from Pete Seeger and Ry Cooder to Billy Bragg and Joe Strummer, to name a mere handful, have used Guthrie as their guiding light. One of my favourites is Woody's son, Arlo. who's version of 'Deportee', from his 1972 album, Hobo's Lullaby, has always had a special place in my affections.



Deportee