Today would have been Woody Guthrie’s 100th birthday. I have gone on record as saying that I think direct political commentary in music cheapens it. Inevitably someone plays the Guthrie card to prove that politics and music can result in greatness. I say Guthrie is the proverbial exception that proves the rule. His songs and life, like Martin Luther King’s life and speeches and the Parables of Jesus, are the property of no political party. They transcend politics to speak to the plight and dignity of humanity. No political party has a monopoly on that.
I have collected some cover’s of Guthrie’s song from some current disciples. I hope you enjoy them.
Here’s to teh greatness of music that matters, and to a true American original.
Lucinda Williams – “I Ain’t Got No Home”
Steve Earle – “This Land is Your Land”
Uncle Tupelo – Do Re Mi
Willie Nelson, Arlo Guthrie, Neil Young – “This Land is Your Land” (segment)
Arlo Guthrie and Emmylou Harrris – Deportees
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXOdrk3Ypfw&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL7B51C7B58B751604
The Band & Bob Dylan – I Ain’t Got No Home
The world still needs Woody Guthrie! He stood up for the little man and the working class. He fought for the rights of the common person and helped spread the ideal that this is truly “our land.†I paid tribute to the legendary musician with a portrait of Woody which you can see on my artist’s blog at http://dregstudiosart.blogspot.com/2012/07/woody-guthrie-centennial.html where you can drop by and let me know how Woody’s voice has spoken to you as well.
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