The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #138471   Message #3211631
Posted By: Stringsinger
23-Aug-11 - 04:25 PM
Thread Name: 'Woody Guthrie, American Radical'
Subject: RE: 'Woody Guthrie, American Radical'
Any biography is bound to overlook some personal aspect of the subject's life.
Joe Klein has the stats. Ed Cray had a more intimate look since he knew Woody.
The best book I've read so far, since he also knew Woody, is "Cisco, Woody and Me" by Joe Longhi, a merchant marine friend who describes for me in detail the Woody and Cisco I encountered. I am happy to see more books about Woody because he defines an important role as the folk singers/songwriter, spawning much of what passes for singer/songwriter today, a political and protest writing that was recognized and fostered by Pete Seeger, Alan Lomax and Bess Hawes. Out of Woody's contribution came the Almanac Singers, Peoples Songs and a revival of the Left orientation toward folk music.

Looking forwar to reading Will's book.