Woody Guthrie on PBS

Subject: WOODY GUTHRIE ON PBS
From: Dharmabum
Date: 10 Jul 06 - 08:03 AM

The PBS American Masters Series will be airing "Woody Guthrie,Ain't got no home" Wednesday July 12 at 9 pm est.
Channel 13 here in the northeast USA.

DB.

Subject: RE: WOODY GUTHRIE ON PBS
From: Dharmabum
Date: 10 Jul 06 - 07:40 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: WOODY GUTHRIE ON PBS
From: Steve-o
Date: 11 Jul 06 - 12:39 PM

Oh yeah- thank you for the heads-up, Dharmabum. I'm firing up the TIVO right now.

Subject: RE: WOODY GUTHRIE ON PBS
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 11 Jul 06 - 11:12 PM

There are a number of projects happening about Woody in addition to this documentary.   The borough of Brooklyn has proclaimed "Woody Guthrie Day on July 25th, and the Brooklyn Cyclones have invited Nora Guthrie and the Klezmatics to appear at Keyspan Park.   The Klezmatics are also releasing their new CD "Wonder Wheel" that day, their second CD based on the music of Woody Guthrie, most of which has not been published or set to music before.

I also added some information on my website - ronolesko.blogspot.com with links to a variety of sites as well as a story about Woody and Marjorie, and the reason I am still hosting a radio show to this day.

Subject: RE: WOODY GUTHRIE ON PBS
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 12:26 AM

The PBS "American Masters" web site on the show is here.

On Ballad-L, Ed Cray, author of the recent biography of Guthrie (and source of the tip to the link above), says he saw a rough cut of the show and he felt it "truly captured Woody".

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: WOODY GUTHRIE ON PBS
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 01:07 AM

And now that I actually look at the site, I find that Ed Cray is the author of the essay on the first page. :-)

Don't miss the "Additional Footage" page, especially if, like me, you might not get to see the show. Interviewees include:
Bruce Springsteen
Nora Guthrie (daughter)
Joe Klein (biographer)
Ed Cray (biographer)
Jeff Place (Archivist, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archive & Collection)
Pete Seeger
Bess Lomax Hawes

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: WOODY GUTHRIE ON PBS
From: Charley Noble
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 09:15 AM

I'll be watching, and hoping for the best.

It's a pity that so many people who knew Guthrie have passed on without being interviewed.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: WOODY GUTHRIE ON PBS
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 11:19 AM

True, but the above list is not necessarily all-inclusive of who was interviewed for this program: it's the footage that wasn't included.

Subject: RE: WOODY GUTHRIE ON PBS
From: catspaw49
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 06:28 PM

If Bono shows up, I'm turning it off. Why does that asshole show up on every freakin' tribute/documentary thing?

Spaw

Subject: RE: WOODY GUTHRIE ON PBS
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 07:35 PM

I am looking forward to viewing this in the next hour or so.   I read the review in the NY Times today---a rave with a parenthesis that said "...surely the blathering of Bruce Springsteen was unecessary". Many raves for Pete Seeger for keeping the Woody Guthrie icon alive for all to remember and appreciate.

Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: WOODY GUTHRIE ON PBS
From: GUEST,Bono
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 07:56 PM

I've never noticed the doc makers ever wanting to talk to anyone named Spaw.

Subject: RE: WOODY GUTHRIE ON PBS
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 08:00 PM

In the interest of accuracy, the NY Times quote actually said:

"The documentary features plenty of interesting anecdotes from Guthrie's contemporaries (and some needless blabbering from Bruce Springsteen), with Pete Seeger taking the lead."

I do agree, Pete Seeger did keep Woody's spirit alive.   Even when Woody was sitting in a hospital, Seeger would always sing his songs and keep the name in front of the public.

I remember when Joe Klein's brilliant biography came out, Springsteen began talking abut the book and singing "This Land is Your Land" in his concerts.   While it was nice that the Boss did that, I always wonder why he didn't have the courage to sing all the verses, including the ones that have become known in some circles as "the communist verses". I think Springsteen knows his limits and doesn't cross boundaries that would piss off his fans. He just can't walk the walk.

Ron Olesko

Subject: RE: WOODY GUTHRIE ON PBS
From: C. Ham
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 08:13 PM

While it was nice that the Boss did that, I always wonder why he didn't have the courage to sing all the verses, including the ones that have become known in some circles as "the communist verses". I think Springsteen knows his limits and doesn't cross boundaries that would piss off his fans. He just can't walk the walk.

Well Ron, I've heard Pete Seeger sing "This Land is Your Land" in concert on more than one occasion and I've got several CDs with Pete singing the song solo and with the Weavers. He doesn't do those "communist verses" either, and he was a bona fide communist.

By your standards, Pete Seeger just can't walk the walk.

By mine, both he and Springsteen, both do.

Subject: RE: WOODY GUTHRIE ON PBS
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 08:45 PM

You are right, with the Weavers he did not sing the other verses. I have heard Pete sing the song solo and add the verses.

As I've stated elsewhere, I do think that Springsteen deserves a hell of a lot of credit for what he has done. I admire him for dealing with issues and adding relevance to his performances. He gives an incredible show, and what I witnessed at Madison Square Garden several weeks ago was magic. He is an outstanding performer.

Yet there is a safe area that he seems to recognize and won't cross the boundary. Seeger creates his own boundaries. I guess you could say the same for Springsteen, yet I wonder.

Subject: RE: WOODY GUTHRIE ON PBS
From: Charley Noble
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 10:27 PM

Nicely done!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: WOODY GUTHRIE ON PBS
From: number 6
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 10:36 PM

"If Bono shows up, I'm turning it off. Why does that asshole show up on every freakin' tribute/documentary thing?"

I dunno ... just watched the Woody doc, and he wasn't on it .. and he also wasn't on "No Direction Home" ... also saw "the World acording to Bush" the other night and he wasn't on that also. Things might be getting better Spaw.

sIx

Subject: RE: WOODY GUTHRIE ON PBS
From: Brían
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 11:13 PM

I must say that Woody and Cisco made songs like GIT ALONG, LITTLE DOGIES sound like I never heard them before. Kind of makes one want to sit in front of the word processor turning out wrting in multiple genreson various topics until the floor is littered with printer paper...

Brían

Subject: RE: WOODY GUTHRIE ON PBS
From: Janice in NJ
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 11:45 PM

It was refreshing to see a Woody Guthrie documentary that at least begins to deal with some of the darker aspects of his life, especially his relationships with women. However, I was both surprised and disappointed that the film did not even make a passing reference to Woody's third wife, Anneke Van Kirk.

Subject: RE: WOODY GUTHRIE ON PBS
From: GUEST,Don Meixner
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 12:20 AM

I enjoyed this documentary a great deal. especially since my daughter sat and watched it with me. She never heard Woody, only heard of him.
She was impressed with his WWII exploits.

I saw the Springstein thing afterward and i was very much surprised. A very enjoyable performance. Altho I must ponder as to why he was so loose with the melody on We Shall Over Come.

This was honestly my introduction to Bruce Springstein. Never saw him before and I probsably heard a few of his songs but didn't know who it was.

Don

Subject: RE: WOODY GUTHRIE ON PBS
From: Ferrara
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 12:33 AM

Bill and I watched it. I thought it was a fine job (nothing's perfect and I can imagine all the ways it fell short, but compared to so much that is done it was very good indeed). I find I'm still reliving scene after scene. I'm still involved with the movie and with Woody's life rather than just walking away from it after I saw it.

Subject: RE: WOODY GUTHRIE ON PBS
From: Wesley S
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 09:17 AM

I was suprised that Arlo wasn't interviewed or included. But overall it was a darn good show.

Subject: RE: WOODY GUTHRIE ON PBS
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 09:32 AM

There is another British produced documentary called "This Machine Kills Fascists" that is narrated by Billy Bragg. As far as I know, it has not been shown on US television, but it is avaiable as a DVD. That documentary covers Woody life in greater detail, and runs about twice as long. My problem with that documentary is that they often had two or more subjects describing the same incident or character trait. It helps corroborate the information, but it slowed down the documentary considerably. They interviewed many of the same people, as well as Arlo.   If you are looking for more indepth information about Guthrie it is well worth viewing.

One item that I was glad the PBS documentary included was footage of Woody in his later years.   I don't mean that as a voyeuristic comment, but I do think it is important that people saw what Woody went through. I remember the scene in the movie of Alice's Restaurant where they showed an actor playing the part of Woody. He was just lieing in bed, peaceful. As witnessed in the documentary, the disease has other characeteristics.

Back in 1977 I interviewed Marjorie Guthrie for my radio show. I remember asking her if there was any film footage of Woody and she replied that there were only two brief appearances on film.   What she did not reveal was the home movies that the family owned.   She felt that they were very private documents of Woody and for various reasons did not wish to share them.   Nora Guthrie has decided to share some of that footage. I assume that she understands that it does help others understand a bit more clearly what the disease is all about.   

A few years ago she played some additional footage at a NYC museum that was exhibiting material from the archives.   There were shots of Woody and the family at Greystone. Woody was trying to play the guitar but his arms would not allow him to hold the guitar.   The footage was shocking to those of us who had not seen Woody in this period, and many people, including myself, were in tears. When the footage finished playing, Arlo got up and spoke to the audience. He commented on how many of us reacted with tears and sorrow, but he told us that when he watched the footage it was a happy experience because it showed his family sharing time and love with his father. It was an important lesson to me.

Ron

Subject: RE: WOODY GUTHRIE ON PBS
From: Wesley S
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 10:02 AM

Hey Ron - Happy Birthday ! I'm a day late and a dollar short but there you go.

Subject: RE: WOODY GUTHRIE ON PBS
From: Mark Ross
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 10:12 AM

No mention of cousin Jack Guthrie who started the radio show with Woody, no mention(or interview)with Ramblin'Jack, still, on the whole, it was pretty damn good. No mention of the jail time for sending obscene letters, no mention that his daughters inheriting the disease, sins of omission I guess. The footage of Woody and a young Arlo coming from the hospital was incrdibly moving.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: WOODY GUTHRIE ON PBS
From: Big Mick
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 10:25 AM

For those of you who haven't done so yet, be sure to stop in and read Ron's blog where he describes the interview with Marjorie. It also is an interesting glimpse into the early days of his show on WFDU. Take a minute and comment on his blog too.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: WOODY GUTHRIE ON PBS
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 11:19 AM

Mick & Wesley, thank you for the kind words!

Mark, there was a lot of detail left out - but I don't think the detail that you mentioned would have added to this storytellers work. The director had a limited time to tell his story of Woody, and while I would have enjoyed hearing from Jack, Arlo and many others, I think the story Peter Frumpkin was trying to tell was well done. The other documentary that I mentioned, which runs about 3 hours, covers many of the items you mentioned. It wasn't a "sin of omission", but rather artistic intent. I feel that the documentary enlightened many people to Woody's story and hopefully they will seek out more information. Ed Cray and Joe Kleins books are great starts as well!

Subject: RE: WOODY GUTHRIE ON PBS
From: Dharmabum
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 01:45 PM

I thought they did a great job with this doc.
But I also was hoping to hear something from Ramblin' Jack.

It's been awhile since I've seen the DVD "The Ballad Of Ramblin' Jack",but I seem to recall Jack discussing his time spent with Woody & Cisco.

In any case,For those who missed the broadcast or would like to catch it again, WNET Ch 13 from NYC. will rebroadcast this show on July 15 at 1:30 am & July 16 at 2:30 pm.

I missed about 10 mins. of it last night due to a thunderstorm blocking my reception.
Damn satelites!

DB.

Subject: RE: WOODY GUTHRIE ON PBS
From: whozit
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 01:56 PM

Hey!

Bess Lomax was an important bridge in the Folk Revival of the 60's!

http://users2.ev1.net/~smyth/linernotes/personel/HawsBess.htm

Daughter of John Lomax and brother to Alan.

She sang with The Almanac Singers (the group that became the Weavers)
with Woody and Pete Seeger.

Subject: RE: Woody Guthrie on PBS
From: Scoville
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 04:51 PM

Well, it was only an hour and a half long--they can't include everything. It didn't make him out to be a saint, and personally I don't think a lot of the gory details are essential in terms of explaining the music.

Subject: RE: Woody Guthrie on PBS
From: Charley Noble
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 08:39 PM

There was a good deal of detail about Woody, Cisco, and Jimmy Longhi's experience in the merchant marine in World War II, singing to the troops, breaking down the racial barriers between blacks and whites. I've read a lot of this before but it was nice to see it treated seriously in this documentary. Amazing that they managed to track down Jimmy for an interview.

I have to agree there's more of interest in Woody's life for several more major documentories. But at least this documentary may provoke some younger folks into learning more about the man and the world he was living in.

I also was pleased to see the interview with "Lefty Lou," Woody's old partner in Los Angles in the 1930's radio days. She helped make those old times real again.

I suspect that many of Woody's closest friends felt badly about assuming that his mood swing problems were related to alcohol abuse, and that after a while they tried to avoid him. The truth was even harder for folks to understand, the early stages of Huntington's Chorea doctors could diagnose but not cure. Only Marjorie and her family really made an effort to stay in touch with Woody once he had committed himself to a hospital in New Jersey, or at least that's the impession I'm gained over the years.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Woody Guthrie on PBS
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 09:38 AM

"I suspect that many of Woody's closest friends felt badly about assuming that his mood swing problems were related to alcohol abuse, and that after a while they tried to avoid him."

There is truth to that, in fact before he was diagnosed even Woody and his family attributed the mood swings to alcohol.

I also wonder if people start to excuse behavior patterns because of issues like this.   I've heard similar remarks made about Bob Gibson and his personality traits once people discovered he was inflicted with a disorder.   While many issues certainly can be traced to these problems, other issues are not. All idols have feet of clay.

Speaking of people who avoided Woody, there were also people who visited Woody and assumingly had his interests at heart, but there is indication that in some respects Woody was treated as a curiosity by outsiders. It was almost a badge of honor to say that you visited Woody and earned your street creds in the folk world. Marjorie and family tried to curtail that activity when they could. Some people felt that she was isolating Woody from the world, but I think it was an attempt to give him some dignity.

There is also a theory that the tremendous output of writing and art from Woody may also have been influenced by Hungtingtons. The theory is that something in the body recognizes the onset of Huntingtons and triggers the creative side to produce as much as possible before the body shuts down. I'm not sure how true that is, because I would assume others afflicted with Huntingtons would have the sort of patterns.

Woody was a human being who had his share of flaws and bad breaks.   He was also a genius whose work will inspire generations to come. A remarkable story.

Ron

Subject: RE: Woody Guthrie on PBS
From: Mr Red
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 09:55 AM

Well Ramblin Jack was on Garrison Keillor last week - least ways the prgramme we heard in the UK. AND Ann Savoy was it Rita Coolidge dueting.............

Subject: RE: Woody Guthrie on PBS
From: BuckMulligan
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 10:12 AM

Not Rita Coolidge, Ann Savoy and Linda Ronstadt (who've recorded as The Zozo Sisters)

Subject: RE: Woody Guthrie on PBS
From: Mark Ross
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 10:19 AM

I got to know the Guthrie family in the '60's while hanging out in the Village. In the summer of 1967 I asked Marjorie Guthrie if it was possible to visit with Woody. She told me no, it upset him too much because he couldn't communicate with people. I told her a couple of years later that not meeting him was one of my great regrets. She replied that there was a little bit of Woody in all of us.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Woody Guthrie on PBS
From: GUEST,Nerd
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 12:11 PM

I missed the doc in order to go to a shanty sing and drink cask-conditioned, hand-pumped bitter. Ya gotta do what you gotta do.

But I do have one comment: even Woody rarely sang the communist verses to "This Land is Your Land." I believe only one recording of him singing the "Private property" verse exists; Jeff place dug it up during his research for the Smithsonian Folkways reissues. Woody often wrote extra verses that he didn't sing, or that he only sang in certain situations. Springsteen may have been honoring Woody by singing the song the way Woody sang it.

Subject: RE: Woody Guthrie on PBS
From: GUEST,Coyote Breath
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 01:03 PM

I saw the program. I was very grateful to have been able to see it.

I had been harboring a resentment of sorts towards Pete Seeger for many, many years. A good part because of "Plow Another One Under" (a very good antiwar song, which, after the breaking of the H/S pact, was put aside for yet another sort of "Political Correctness". But hearing Mr. Seeger show so much respect and love for one of MY heroes and for keeping THAT flame alive, I have changed my mind. I realize that we do what we think is right to do and sometimes we're off track and that is OK too.

Thank you, Pete.

I was disappointed by only one aspect of the documentary (other than it being too short) and that was Arlo's absence. It doesn't make sense to me and I wonder if there is some murkier aspect to the situation than meets the eye.

CB

Subject: RE: Woody Guthrie on PBS
From: Big Mick
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 01:48 PM

If I recall correctly (did I read it in Klein's book?) Woody was always worried that the so called communist verses would be forgotten. I do the whole song around a monologue about working women heroes that I have come to know organizing unions over 25 years. The first time I performed that monologue and version of "This Land is Your Land" was at the FSGW Getaway a few years back. They are my favorite verses because they take it from a nice song to a anthem in the struggle for worker justice.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Woody Guthrie on PBS
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 02:00 PM

I would like to take back something I said earlier. Watching the documentary and reading these comments have given me opportunity to re-think my opinions.

I had mentioned at I heard Pete Seeger singing the verses in concert, but in re-thinking this I might be wrong. I may be mixing up one of the Pete & Arlo shows that I saw over the years, and Arlo usually does the verses and tells the story behind the verses.

Pete Seeger does not need to sing the extra verses in order to "walk the walk", he lives those verses. His life has been an example. I wasn't trying to paint a picture of Springsteen capitalizing on the Seeger name or being something that he is not.   Springsteen has taken stands for causes he believes in, more than many other artists do. The Seegers and Guthries of the world were activist artists.   Springsteen is an artist who respects their work and attempts to live up to their ideals. Springsteen is not at their level of committment, nor should he or anyone be expected to do so.

Ron

Subject: RE: Woody Guthrie on PBS
From: Tannywheeler
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 02:13 PM

I found out about this doc. by noticing this thread. Glad I watched. Even hubby gave up his sports to come sit with me in the living room and watch. Pretty fair, for the time limit. Thanks for the heads up, guys.   Tw

Subject: RE: Woody Guthrie on PBS
From: catspaw49
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 02:36 PM

Truthfully for me, it was fair. I rarely expect much more than that anymore from any of these things. Wherever Peter T. is hiding, I have to say that he changed my mind on doc TV viewing. If you have read Cray and Klein and hopefully Longhi plus accumulated and assimilated more over the years......no TV doc is going to cut it.

Plus side.......Some good family footage, and hearing from Jim Longhi. Longhi's book was one of the best folk texts I've ever read...period. Lefty Lou was neat to hear as well. Some very clear and distinct old recordings (digi remastered I would imagine?) ...very cool.

Minus side......Is Nora not real bright or just too "worshipful" or something? She has always come across badly to me. I guess I disliked all the Billy Bragg stuff so that probably doesn't help my mood on her. Too many monstrous gaps without even a mention.

Best thing was that at least a few people may have tuned in and met Woody for the first time.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Woody Guthrie on PBS
From: Peter T.
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 03:29 PM

I have no idea what catspaw is talking about!

Anyway, I haven't seen the PBS documentary, but I do have the "This Machine Kills Fascists" DVD, which is excellent.   There is, as mentioned, a snippet or two of Woody in a home movie, and some extremely depressing footage of the hospital.

I am waiting for the first appearance of "Folk Scare 2" in the media.

I read somewhere that Woody didn't take trains, but hitchhiked everywhere, which if true sort of wrecks the David Carradine model.


yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Woody Guthrie on PBS
From: Charley Noble
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 06:25 PM

One of the family teasures is an album of Woody'd Dustbowl Ballads, a set of classic 78's. It was my introduction to talking blues, and for some reason I still remember Woody's caustic quip "You know I don't care much for politicians. I think this whole country should be run by e-lec-tri-ci-ty!"

Not exactly politically correct but memorable.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Woody Guthrie on PBS
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 07:24 PM

Really enjoying the comments of all of those who know so much more about him than I do. Thanks to you all. We saw the last hour of it and really enjoyed it. I was particularly struck with the WWII footage and narration about it. One man bucked segregation on that one ship and made a DIFFERENCE. May his god bless him for that.

The home and hospital footage made me cry; it was so sad to see him that way. I also found the part about how he would type away, throwing the pages to the floor, and later, his writing SO much in such short time periods very interesting. Surely he was compelled, if not by the above mentioned reaction by the body to Huntington's, then to some other unseen creative force.

We have an old family story of my dad working out on a drilling rig and not getting back to town in time to search out a special gift for my mom for Christmas. Back then not much was open on regular nights, let alone Chrismas Eve. He found a drugstore which was open, though; went in and bought her a musicbox. Well, I wasn't there, yet, but I guess he should've checked the tune it played. I've heard mom wasn't too happy with him when she opened it, wound it up and heard Woody's "So long, it's been good to know you!" I still have that msuic box; it is a treasure.

Thanks, again,

kat

Subject: RE: Woody Guthrie on PBS
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 07:27 PM

Forgot to say, I missed Arlo, too.

Subject: RE: Woody Guthrie on PBS
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 08:46 PM

ss to Cats Paw comments re: Nora Guthrie. Seems to me that she (Nora) has been most instrumental in keeping the Woody persona before the public and carrying on the traditions. Arlo is a great talent and has carried on the tradition, but, to me, it is Nora that seems to keep the Woody image alive and current. Be it with her archives, encouraging (or is the word allowing) Billy Bragg to put Woody's music into a new era, and her opening all kinds of avenues so that people will find and be introduced to Woody Guthrie. Frankly, I think her efforts produce results---even, possibly, a Springsteen hopping on board. Not that I care about that, but it opens more doors or windows or whatever metapbor you like to the music of this giant.

Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: Woody Guthrie on PBS
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 09:11 PM

Good points Bill. Actually, Springsteen already jumped on board a few years ago.   Springsteen was among the performers at a Woody Guthrie tribute concert held at the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame several years ago. Even before that, actually going back to when he released "Born in the USA", Springsteen would perform "This Land" (minus "the" verses) and talk up Joe Klein's book about Guthrie. In his way, he did his part to let others know about Guthrie.

I also agree, Nora has done some incredible things with the Archives and Foundation. Billy Bragg may not be everyones cup of tea, but she opened up the archives to other artists as well. The Klezmatics now have two CD's of Woody's songs - most of which were never recorded before. Janis Ian, Joel Rafael, Wenzel and others have mined gems from the archives. Nearly 40 years after his death, Woody is still responsible for "new" songs being released!   

Nora has a vision to look beyond the usual outlets.

Perhaps the New York accent puts you off Spaw? :)

I guess all of us "folkies" would have enjoyed seeing Arlo put his two cents in, but he has done that for other documentaries and programs about his dad. I can't remember a single Arlo concert where he hasn't done some of his fathers songs. He keeps the memory alive.   I think the director had his own vision of presenting Woodys story and he accomplished it. There wasn't much new ground for those of us that know about Woody, but I don't think the documentary was directed towards us.   It worked!

Subject: RE: Woody Guthrie on PBS
From: BuckMulligan
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 09:26 PM

Springsteen released "The Ghost of Tom Joad" in 1995. He is far from my favorite artist, but he is hardly a newcomer to the realm of giving a shit about the gestalt of the common folk as evidenced by Steinbeck and Guthrie. Perhaps he didn't say anything brilliant in the film; that certainly wouldn't disqualify him from participating here.

Subject: RE: Woody Guthrie on PBS
From: Peter T.
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 09:46 PM

There is a great anecdote about Arlo in the recent music business book, "The Mansion on the Hill". Arlo is at the Music Hall of Fame awards banquet, everybody is dressed to the nines, producers, every pop idol schmoozing and so on, and Woody is being inducted, and Arlo finishes his speech and says: "And in conclusion, I don't know where Woody is now, but one thing I am sure of, if he were alive, he wouldn't be here!"

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Woody Guthrie on PBS
From: Johnhenry'shammer
Date: 15 Jul 06 - 12:08 AM

Pete Seeger looked very good despite his age. Does anybody know how his health is?

Subject: RE: Woody Guthrie on PBS
From: GUEST,Frank Hamilton
Date: 15 Jul 06 - 12:13 PM

I knew Woody. I was one of his pickin' buddies in California.

I consider this a lovely story. Saw Woody in New York when he came to a steak house to celebrate (I think it was a birthday). Marjorie was there. Harold Leventhal arranged it. Woody looked at me, his eyes lighted up and he shouted, "Californee!" I was so moved I almost cried.

The documentary was well-done. Captured the Woody I knew.

Didn't mention Anneke, probably, because Woody ran off with her in Topanga Canyon.
Anneke left Dave Marshall. No judgements, here, just reporting the facts.

Ed Cray's book is wonderful but also read Joe Longhi's "Cisco, Woody and Me". Between the two books, you'll know who Woody was.

One of America's best songwriters, poet, prophet and compassionate guy.

Frank Hamilton